US calls for 'zero tolerance' of sexual abuse of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities

The US State Department has called for a swift investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees by Israeli soldiers at the Sde Teiman detention facility, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday. 

“There ought to be zero tolerance of any sexual abuse, rape, of any detainees, period,” said Miller at a press briefing.

"If there are detainees who have been sexually assaulted or raped, the government of Israel, the IDF need to fully investigate those actions and hold anyone responsible accountable to the full extent of the law," he continued. 

Miller's comments come after Israel's Channel 12 leaked surveillance video showing Israeli prison guards at the controversial Sde Teiman detention facility sexually abusing a blindfolded Palestinian detainee. 

Yoel Donchin, the doctor who treated the prisoner, said he suffered from "a ruptured bowel, a severe injury to his anus, lung damage and broken ribs", Haaretz reported. Donchin told reporters that "he couldn't believe an Israeli prison guard could do such a thing".

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