Shocking footage that has gone viral shows wedding guests in Hebron, West Bank, prying open a young camel’s mouth and pouring cans of XL energy drink straight down its throat as the animal thrashes and tries desperately to spit the liquid out.
In the clips, which first circulated on social media around November 9, men surround the camel at what appears to be a nighttime celebration under strings of lights. One guest forces the animal’s jaws apart while another tips the contents of the energy drink into its mouth. A child is seen riding on the camel’s back amid the chaos. Moments later, another man is filmed striking the distressed animal with a stick. Guests can be seen dancing around the scene; none of those visible in the footage step in to stop the abuse, and some appear to encourage it.
Israeli police moved swiftly after the videos spread widely. On Wednesday, November 11, officers from the Hetz Yehuda tactical unit of the Judea and Samaria District arrested four Palestinian residents of Hebron in connection with the incident. The suspects include two brothers aged 26 and 27, one of whom is the groom at the wedding, along with two older men aged 53 and 59. All four were taken to the Hebron police station for questioning on suspicion of animal abuse.
Police described the treatment of the camel as “unrestrained” or “unbridled” cruelty. In a statement, they said the animal had been forced to drink various beverages, including alcoholic drinks, in addition to the energy drinks clearly visible in the footage. “Israel Police will act decisively against anyone suspected of animal abuse,” the force said, adding that officers had handled similar cases in the region before and that the suspects would face the full extent of the law.
The videos triggered particular anger among Bedouin communities in the Negev and among Palestinian Bedouins. For many in those groups, the camel is far more than livestock, it is a symbol of heritage, tribal identity, and honor. The sight of one being force-fed sugary drinks and beaten at a celebration has been widely condemned online.
The footage shows the camel appearing highly distressed throughout, repeatedly attempting to expel the liquid while being held and handled roughly. Additional clips circulating alongside the main video depict other animals at the event being sat upon and jostled by laughing revellers as music plays.
Police confirmed that detectives had identified the central figures involved after the videos went viral and carried out the arrests on Wednesday morning. The investigation remains ongoing as the four men are questioned. Animal welfare advocates and members of the public have called for the strongest possible penalties, pointing to the presence of a child on the animal’s back and the complete lack of intervention from the surrounding guests.
The incident has drawn attention far beyond the West Bank, with the original clips shared by multiple accounts documenting events in the region. Authorities have emphasized that such acts of cruelty will not be tolerated.
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