The letter from the Israel Police to Attorney Weisel
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 8:39 During a GSS raid of the homes of two detained reserve soldiers, their wives were forced to undergo an invasive and humiliating search. The search was conducted by female police officers under orders of GSS agents. Both of the soldiers are Yehuda and Shomron residents. Honenu Attorney Eladi Weisel wrote an urgent letter to the police, demanding an investigation of the incident and the prosecution of those responsible. Additionally, the families turned to Knesset Member Limor Son Har-Melech, who supported and assisted the detainees’ wives.
In response to Attorney Weisel’s letter, the Israel Police wrote that the officers involved had been suspended from operational duties, and the Yehuda and Shomron District Commander ordered a thorough investigation of the incident: “Upon receiving the referenced complaint, the relevant authorities in the district began a thorough investigation of the incident cited in your complaint. Simultaneous to the investigation, and until its completion, it has been decided that all officers involved in the incident will not take part in operational activity. In any event, and irrespective of the results of the examination, the relevant regulations will be clarified in the framework of weekly classes, including upholding the right to privacy and human dignity while conducting searches, with emphasis on the importance of sensitivity to various populations. Additionally, the extent of the officers’ authority during operational activities of this type will be clarified.
Attorney Weisel reacted to the incident: “This week, the public was able to witness the disrespectful tone that has been set by the senior commanders of the Jewish Department of the GSS for years. When the highest level of an organization is full of hate and contempt for the fundamental rights of Yehuda and Shomron residents, and regards them as the enemy, the direct results become visible to all. For years we have seen the crude trampling of the rights of citizens who are not suspected of anything. The invasive search lacked all legality. We will not tolerate such abuse. I thank the police for notifying us of the investigation, and the suspension of the officers. This is a welcome step by the police, indicating the beginning of an important change in the treatment of Yehuda and Shomron residents.”
Knesset Member Limor Son Har-Melech, who is assisting the families, added: “The GSS persecution of Yehuda and Shomron communities is unacceptable. We will no longer allow harassment of and deprivation of rights from Yehuda and Shomron residents. If at one time such treatment was tolerated, today, the policy of [National Security] Minister Ben Gvir is not to allow harm to the residents and their rights. We will continue to act for the sake of Yehuda and Shomron, and the security, well-being, and rights of the residents.”
The two detained reserve soldiers are being held under harsh conditions, which Honenu Attorney Nati Rom revealed earlier in a statement to the media: “They are currently in GSS dungeons, in two-meter high, two by two meter cells, with cockroaches and fleas. They do not know whether it is day or night.”
The reserve soldiers and all of the detainees in the case are married and have children. For the first five days of their detention, they were under an order barring them from meeting with an attorney. Some of the detainees are combat soldiers who have served hundreds of days in reserve duty since the beginning of the war.