National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed Saturday evening on the program "The Patriots" on Channel 14 that, under pressure from the head of the Shin Bet, the Attorney General instructed the police to open an investigation against the protesters who broke into IDF bases at Sde Teiman and Beit Lid, Walla reported.
So far, despite many records of the break-ins and documentation of the incidents, no arrests of suspects have been made, Ynet and Walla said. This may raise concerns about why the police needed the intervention of the prosecutor to open an investigation into the mass break-in of two IDF bases, Walla added.
The decision to investigate also comes amid sharp public criticism of the conduct of the police and IDF following the break-in attempts, Ynet reported.
The investigation will be managed by the Fraud Unit of the Southern District, Ynet added. The Defense Ministry will be a partner in the investigation, and will be responsible for investigating the soldiers who participated in the break-ins, Ynet said.
AT the end of July, Israeli civilians attempted to break in to Sde Teiman army base, before being stopped by the IDF and the police. The break-in followed the investigation by military police into reservists accused of sexually assaulting a Nukhba terrorist in prison. Israeli MKs Almog Cohen, Zvi Sukkot, and Nissim Vatori were present at the base, according to Walla and Ynet. The Ethics Committee has brought complaints against the latter two, Ynet reported.
IDF Halevi condemns incident
After the protesters failed to break into Sde Teiman, they traveled to Beit Lid, where the arrested soldiers were moved to, Walla added.
Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, said "the incident of breaking into the Sde Teiman base is extremely serious and against the law. Breaking into a military base and disturbing the order there is serious offense. We are at war, and actions of this kind endanger the security of the country. I strongly condemn the incident and we are working to restore order at the base."