Soldier who posted photos of herself next to blindfolded Palestinians won't face criminal probe, deputy state prosecutor says; however, investigation to be launched against 'dancing soldier'

Aviad Glickman
Published: 06.16.11

A criminal investigation will not be launched against former IDF soldier Eden Abergil, who posted photos of cuffed and blindfolded Palestinians on her Facebook page, Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan decided Thursday.

Nitzan said that while the former soldier's actions were apparently disgraceful, "there is no reason to begin a criminal investigation for abuse because her actions do not require criminal proceedings, but rather, disciplinary action."

Nitzan added that military law no longer applies in the case, as Abergil has already been discharged from the army.

However, the deputy state prosecutor said that that he asked that the army "make every effort to put a end to this troubling phenomenon by increasing the enforcement against IDF soldiers – those still serving and those discharged – through stricter disciplinary punishments and education."

In the photos posted on Facebook, Abergil was seen posing near cuffed and blindfolded Palestinians.
She later said that while in the army she and her fellow comrades "treated the Palestinians nicely, always providing them with food and drinks. We'd share laughs. We didn't curse at them, spit on them or touch them."

"The photos I posted in the album were part of my army experience. It was naïve. People took things out of proportion. I have respect for every human being. I served the State," she said.

Nitzan also decided not to launch criminal investigations against other soldiers who took pictures of themselves with Palestinian detainees and uploaded them to social networks online. However he did make an exception with one photo, where three soldiers are seen sitting near a cuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee, as one soldier pointed his gun at the man.

Nitzan also ruled in favor of an investigation against an IDF soldier who allegedly danced around a detained Palestinian woman while she was was cuffed and blindfolded.







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