In a significant breach of protocol, images of Israeli soldiers arrested at Sde Teiman base have been published by Arab media outlets, violating an existing gag order. The soldiers were detained on suspicion of mistreating a Hamas operative.
Attorney Adi Keidar, representing some of the accused soldiers through the legal aid organization Honenu, has lodged a formal complaint with the President of the Military Court. Keidar is demanding an immediate investigation into the source of the leak and calling for stricter controls on media access to future hearings.
The incident has highlighted what Keidar describes as an "imbalance" in the court's approach to public access. He alleges that while media representatives have been granted relatively free access to proceedings, family members of the accused have faced significant obstacles in attending hearings.
"There's a palpable sense of exclusion," Keidar stated in his urgent appeal to the court. He emphasized the stark contrast between reporters seated comfortably in the courtroom and family members left waiting for hours outside in harsh weather conditions.
The unauthorized release of the soldiers' identities not only violates the suspects' rights but also potentially compromises operational security.
Keidar has called for a complete ban on media presence at future hearings related to this case. "This scandal is the latest in a series of serious leaks," he noted, urging the court to address the matter with "utmost seriousness."
The IDF and the Military Court have yet to comment on these latest developments.
The case continues to draw significant public interest, balancing national security concerns with principles of judicial transparency.
* Kikar Shabbat contributed to this article.
