State won't prosecute Eden Abergil for Facebook photos

Soldier shown in video dancing with blindfolded, bound female Palestinian will face charges, deputy state prosecutor announces.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Facebook detained Palestinians 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Facebook detained Palestinians 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The State Prosecutor has decided not to open a criminal case against Eden Abergil, the discharged IDF soldier who posted an assortment of photos on Facebook showing her posing with bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainees. The pictures became a national controversy.
Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan wrote in a letter to B'Tzelem: "Although this involves acts that are embarrassingly ugly, there's no place to open a criminal investigation for abuse." The actions do not meet the standards of criminal behavior, he added.
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A statement from the IDF spokesman at the time said, "This is shameless behavior by the soldier," speaking of the pictures. "In light of the fact that she was discharged last year, all of the details have been turned over to commanders for further attention."
Also Thursday, Shai decided to prosecute another IDF soldier who was filmed dancing with a bound and blindfolded female Palestinian detainee.
In October 2010, Channel 10 aired the clip showing an IDF soldier and reported that the IDF's internal investigations department had already ordered a probe into the matter.