Israel using US-made electroshock weapons on Palestinian detainees, investigation finds

Human rights groups condemn use of Tasers as torture; IDF says abuse prohibited

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

An investigation has revealed that Israel is using US-made electroshock weapons, including Tasers from American company Axon, on Palestinian detainees, with human rights groups condemning the practice as torture and calling for restrictions on exports. The Israel Defense Forces said that abuse of detainees is strictly prohibited.

The investigation found that Axon is still supplying the Tasers despite evidence they have been used to torture prisoners. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned allegations of the repeated torture and ill-treatment of detainees held in Israeli detention centres and prisons using electric shock devices. Amnesty called for restrictions on exports of such devices.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said the abuse of detainees was strictly prohibited.

Separately, the Israeli military detained about 80 US, Israeli and British volunteers helping Palestinians harvest olives near Bethlehem, including the New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, several rabbis and Israel's former deputy attorney general. Soldiers said the area had been declared a closed military zone.

In another incident, Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was attacked and seriously injured by Israeli settlers on Friday, has described how she was saved with the help of local Palestinians. Witnesses said her beating only ceased when young men used slingshots to aim stones at the settlers, forcing them back.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The use of US-supplied weapons in alleged torture raises questions about accountability and export controls.
The incidents highlight ongoing tensions and human rights concerns in the occupied West Bank.
International attention could lead to diplomatic pressure on Israel and US policy review.

Background

Israel has faced longstanding accusations of mistreating Palestinian detainees. The use of electroshock weapons by security forces has been a particular concern for human rights organisations, who classify such practices as torture under international law. The United States is a key ally and military supplier to Israel.

Key Perspectives

Human rights groups (Amnesty International): Condemn the use of electric shock devices as torture and call for export restrictions on such weapons, arguing that they facilitate abuse. Israel Defense Forces: Deny abuse, stating that mistreatment of detainees is strictly prohibited and that allegations are investigated. Critics/Skeptics: Note that repeated allegations of torture have not led to significant changes in policy or accountability, raising doubts about the effectiveness of internal investigations.

What to Watch

Potential US government response, including any review of arms exports to Israel.
Further investigations or legal cases regarding the use of Tasers on detainees.
Whether the detention of US volunteers and the attack on a journalist prompt stronger diplomatic reactions.

Sources

Israel using US-made electroshock weapons on Palestinian detainees | First Thing · World news | The Guardian

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedAn investigation found that Israel is using US-made electroshock weapons on Palestinian detainees.World news | The Guardian: “An investigation has revealed that Israel is using US-made electroshock weapons on Palestinian detainees”
Partly supportedHuman rights groups condemned the use of Tasers as torture.World news | The Guardian: “Human rights groups have condemned allegations of the repeated torture and ill-treatment of detainees held in Israeli detention centres and prisons using electric shock devices, with Amnesty calling for restrictions on exports of such devices.”
SupportedAmnesty called for restrictions on exports of such devices.World news | The Guardian: “with Amnesty calling for restrictions on exports of such devices.”
SupportedThe IDF said abuse of detainees was strictly prohibited.World news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said the abuse of detainees was strictly prohibited.”
SupportedAxon is still supplying Taser weapons despite evidence they have been used to torture prisoners.World news | The Guardian: “American company Axon is still supplying the Taser weapons despite evidence they have been used to torture prisoners.”
SupportedThe Israeli military detained about 80 US, Israeli and British volunteers helping Palestinians harvest olives near Bethlehem.World news | The Guardian: “The Israeli military detained about 80 US, Israeli and British volunteers helping Palestinians harvest olives near Bethlehem”
SupportedThose detained included Brad Lander, several rabbis and Israel’s former deputy attorney general.World news | The Guardian: “including the New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, several rabbis and Israel’s former deputy attorney general.”
SupportedSoldiers said the area had been declared a closed military zone.World news | The Guardian: “Soldiers said the area had been declared a closed military zone.”
SupportedHeidi Levine was attacked and seriously injured by Israeli settlers on Friday.World news | The Guardian: “The Washington Post photojournalist who was attacked and seriously injured by Israeli settlers on Friday”
SupportedWitnesses said Levine’s beating ceased when young men used slingshots to aim stones at the settlers, forcing them back.World news | The Guardian: “Witnesses said her beating only ceased when young men used slingshots to aim stones at the settlers, forcing them back.”