Israeli Soldiers Filmed Themselves Mockingly Singing The Call To Prayer In A Mosque During A West Bank Raid
In one video, an Israeli soldier is seen standing on the pulpit, singing a song in Hebrew through a microphone while another soldier filming laughs.
The Israeli military has suspended soldiers who filmed themselves mocking the Islamic call to prayer in a mosque during a raid in Palestine’s occupied West Bank.
The move comes after several video went viral showing a group of Israeli soldiers mocking the Islamic call to prayer in a mosque in Jenin.
In one video, an Israeli soldier is seen standing on the pulpit, singing a song in Hebrew through a microphone while another soldier filming laughs.
“In the name of Allah, the most merciful. This is the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces,” another soldier with his back to the camera says into the microphone in another video. “Dear citizens, the story is over.”
“The current situation cannot go on. We do not accept the presence of terrorists in the camp starting today. The future will be bright in the camp – a life of dignity. There is no strength or power except with Allah,” he added.
Palestinian officials said the Israeli soldiers’ behavior were “a mockery of [the mosque’s] sanctity.”
The videos emerged following a three-day Israeli raid in Jenin, which killed at least 12 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials.
The Israeli military then issued a statement on Thursday, Dec. 14 and said the soldiers “acted against IDF codes of conduct within a religious establishment” and everyone involved was “immediately removed from operational activity”.
On Sunday Dec. 17, the Israeli military’s spokesperson also condemned the videos.
“Soldiers on the battlefield are required to act professionally and ethically, and we will not compromise on this,” he said, according to the BBC. “In any event… [the videos do not] align with IDF values, command and disciplinary steps will be taken.”
Israel has dramatically increased its raids in the occupied West Bank since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
On Dec. 1, the UN human rights office said it was “seriously concerned at the recent dramatic growth in the number of Palestinians arrested and detained by Israeli security forces across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
