Israeli Channel 12 News Did Not Conduct a Poll on Allowing Soldiers to Rape Prisoners

Misbar investigated the viral image and found it to be fake.

After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the image to be photoshopped.

A Doctored Screenshot of Channel 12 News’ 2022 Poll

Contrary to social media users’ viral circulation of the image, the screenshot was photoshopped, altering the original captioning of the poll behind the Israeli channel’s presenter.

The poll, originally conducted by Channel 12 in May 2022, asked whether respondents agreed with the claim that the government's support leans on terror supporters.

The original video showing Channel 12's presenter announcing the poll results was uploaded to YouTube on May 28, 2022.

The translated caption of the Hebrew question from the Channel 12 poll reads, "Do you agree with the claim that the government relies on supporters of terrorism?" Despite this, the image has been misrepresented on social media, with a false caption suggesting the poll asked if Israeli soldiers should be allowed to rape a prisoner.

Israel’s Channel 12 News Apologizes for a Controversial Poll

Israel's Channel 12 News issued an apology for the controversial "terror supporters" poll aired in May 2022, which sparked significant outrage. Initially, the channel acknowledged that the question could have been better phrased but did not retract it. The poll, conducted by the Midgam Institute under Manu Geva, was presented by Channel 12's political analyst Amit Segal. The question asked, "Do you agree with the claim that the government relies on terror supporters?" The results showed 47% agreed, while 43% disagreed.

The poll drew heavy criticism for its presentation. At the time, Yair Lapid, serving as Foreign Affairs Minister and Alternate Prime Minister, condemned the poll during a Yesh Atid party meeting, stating, “It's a disgrace in my view.”

Israeli Soldiers Sexually Assault a Palestinian Prisoner

On August 7, a leaked video emerged showing Israeli soldiers allegedly sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee from Gaza at the notorious Sde Teiman detention camp. The footage, captured by surveillance cameras and aired by Israeli Channel 12, reveals a group of Israeli soldiers selecting a detainee from among more than 30 others, who are all blindfolded and lying on the ground. The detainee is then taken to a corner, where the assault occurs.

According to the report, the soldiers were aware of the surveillance cameras and attempted to obscure their actions with shields. The video reportedly documents the soldiers committing an act of sodomy under these circumstances. The detainee, who was bleeding, was taken to a hospital hours later, where his condition was described as "complex." The injury, according to a medical report cited by the channel, was caused by the insertion of an object.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Wednesday urged Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees by its soldiers. Miller emphasized the need for "zero tolerance" toward those responsible.

Sde Teiman Prison: Israel’s Guantanamo

Since October 7, at least 36 detainees have been killed at the Sde Teiman detention facility, where thousands of Palestinian detainees from Gaza have been held.

A CNN investigation released in May revealed widespread abuse at Israel's Sde Teiman detention camp, corroborated by Israeli whistleblowers, Palestinian former detainees, and eyewitnesses. 

The reported abuses included blindfolding, extreme physical restraint, and prolonged handcuffing, which led to severe injuries. According to whistleblowers, Palestinian detainees at the base were constantly blindfolded and subjected to harsh physical restraint. In some cases, doctors were forced to amputate prisoners' limbs due to injuries caused by continuous handcuffing, as one whistleblower disclosed.

Multiple Israeli and Palestinian rights groups, along with local and international media outlets, have also reported on the alleged torture and mistreatment occurring at the camp.

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