Soldier whose weapon was snatched in Susiya arrived to testify — and was interrogated under caution himself

An IDF soldier who was attacked last Saturday near the settlement of Susiya in the southern Hebron Hills, during which his weapon was snatched, arrived yesterday (Wednesday) at the police station to provide testimony regarding the incident. However, according to the Honenu organization, he was surprised to discover that he himself was being interrogated under caution on suspicion of assaulting the Palestinians involved.

According to the organization, the soldier was hiking in the area when he was attacked by several Palestinians who allegedly snatched his weapon and attempted to fire at him. The soldier struggled with them, sustained injuries, and managed to escape the scene. Subsequently, the IDF arrested four suspects for involvement in the attack.

Yesterday, the soldier arrived at the offices of the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District Police to provide testimony as a victim of a crime. However, Honenu claims that during the session, the interrogation was halted, and the soldier was transferred to an interrogation under caution on suspicion of assault.

Advocate Nati Rom, who provided legal counsel to the soldier on behalf of the organization, stated that the soldier was released following the interrogation. According to him:

"Last Saturday, an IDF soldier was brutally attacked by a number of terrorists who ran at him, beat him, snatched his weapon, and almost killed him. He fought, was injured, hospitalized, and discharged."

Rom further claimed:

"This morning he arrived at the police station to provide testimony as a victim. Suddenly, in the middle of the testimony, they stopped taking his version and started interrogating him under caution, opened a criminal file against him, and accused him of being the aggressor — even though the video is completely clear."

Rom criticized the police's conduct, arguing that interrogating those who acted in self-defense creates a chilling effect. "The custom of the Israel Police to almost automatically interrogate under caution people who defended their lives and the public is flawed. It is a deterrent, harms the security of the state, and must be stopped," he said.

In response, the police rejected the criticism, stating: "The Israel Police is checking all directions in the investigation, which is in its early stages, in order to discover the truth and bring the guilty to justice."