Israel Defends Use of Force on Detainees

In an unprecedented examination of security forces’ use of torture, a government lawyer told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that Israel is at war with Palestinian militants and has no choice but to use force in interrogating suspects.

Human rights activists, arguing an appeal brought by four former prisoners and two Israeli human rights groups, disagreed, saying that Israel, as a democracy, cannot sanction such practices as tying up detainees in painful, contorted positions, shaking them violently and depriving them of sleep.

In the opening hearing Wednesday, the panel of nine justices hinted that it might not render a decision at all but instead pass the question to the legislature. Parliament is expected to debate a bill regulating activities by Shin Bet, the internal security service.