The Biden administration has been “clear and consistent” with the Jewish state that it must treat detainees “humanely and with dignity in accordance with international law,” Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday.
“The reports of rape, torture and abuse are deeply, deeply concerning,” she said, of alleged sexual assault at the Sde Teiman military base.
“Reit-—reiterate that we support an IDF investigation into allegations of serious abuse of Palestinian detainees by IDF soldiers,” the spokeswoman added, per a White House transcript. “It is essential that the rule of law and due process prevail. That is what we’re going to see, and obviously, we’re going to continue to have those conversations.”
Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesman, said at the Foggy Bottom press briefing on Wednesday that the department was aware of video footage “and reports of sexual abuse of detainees are horrific.”
“They ought to be investigated fully by the government of Israel, by the IDF. Prisoners need to be treated—prisoners’ human rights need to be respected in all cases, and when there are alleged violations the government of Israel needs to take steps to investigate those who are alleged to have committed abuses, and if appropriate, hold them accountable,” Miller said.
“It is appropriate that the IDF in this case has announced an investigation, has arrested a number of people who are alleged to have been involved and I won’t speak to the outcome of that investigation, but it ought to proceed swiftly,” Miller added. “If they are determined to be in violation of criminal laws or violations of the IDF’s code of conduct, then of course they ought to be held accountable.”
At the White House press briefing, Jean-Pierre was also asked about “powerful” lobbies unseating Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush “because they criticized Israel,” with the journalist adding that “they’ve been labeled as antisemitic just because they criticized the conduct of the Israelis.”
The White House spokeswoman declined to comment, saying that the White House congratulates those who won primary races.
