In a video released on social Media February 6th Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir pokes fun at Palestinian detainees derisively displaying himself eating fresh bread while stating: “No baking is allowed in prisons ‘terrorists’ shouldn’t receive fresh baked goods. What we have done is the beginning of the beginning to stop the ‘summer camps’ in the prisons.” The video came days after he ordered the closure of Palestinian prisoner-run bakeries in the occupation’s jails. Since taking his office and within the first week of the new government’s formation Ben Gvir initiated implementation of his main plan against incarcerated Palestinians after his provocative visit to the jails and imposing several punitive and inhumane measures. The harsh orders are aimed at denying what he called “benefits and indulgences to the Palestinian detainees.” He further assured “The death penalty should be enacted for ‘terrorists’ but until then they should be treated as ‘terrorists.’”
In an exclusive interview with newly-released Palestinian detainees Ahmad Abu Jazar is asked how did he leave the prison behind him and if the prison is a summer camp as Ben Gvir described. With a sardonic and a bitter laugh he told the PIC “The prison is a living hell.” The 38-year-old spent 19 years in the occupation prison. He confirmed “We are deprived of our basic needs no medical care. When we feel sick they just give us pain killers.” During winters “not enough cloths and blankets are allowed in” Abu Jazar explained “and several kinds of fruits and vegetables and even meals are also prevented.” He pointed to a plate he had just finishing eating from and said “This is the first time I eat fresh meat and liver in 19 years.”
“People who hear the term ‘Palestinian prisoner-run bakeries’ which Ben Giver ordered a halt think that we eat the best bread ever” he said “but it’s the worst ever and even the quantity of the bread is very few for the number of the detainees and now they have reduced it more.” Abu Jazar’s sentence ended 10 months ago but his detention was extended on multiple occasions on the basis of accusations of violations. Finally this past February 3 he was told he was being taken to court. The lie was revealed when he was sent through the Erez crossing into the Gaza Strip instead.
“The situation in prison is always terrible and over the last couple of weeks and since Ben Gvir took office it became unbearable and unlivable even for animals.” According to the Israeli occupation media during the last few weeks 2000 Palestinians inmates have been forcibly transferred between jails. Abu Jazar describes the transferring process of the Palestinian detainees: “It is more like an attack on their lives.” The transfer strategy is meant to weaken and destabilize Palestinian resistance within the occupation’s incarceration system in order for the occupation authorities to impose new illegal and inhumane restrictions without facing confrontation from the detained Palestinians.
The newly-released female prisoner Shroug AlBadn for her part told the PIC “Before I left the occupation jails few days ago it was placed on a state of ‘high alert’ especially after the new repressive measures were carried out in our cells.” Shrouq is a mother to one daughter and she served a 14-month sentence. She was released on February 2. She said” I along with other two other Palestinian female detainees were violently placed in solitary confinement before being assaulted.” She added that prison guards sprayed the incarcerated prisoners with tear gas and pepper spray while others were subject to torture for opposing the draconian new measures.
The prisoners’ information office reported that the Israeli occupation prison officers raided women’s cells on Monday 30th January assaulting them while cutting off the electricity supply to the section. The assault on the female detainees prompted the Palestinian Captive Movement to declare a rebellion in all prisons and detention centers affirming in a very strong statement that female detainees are a red line.
Ben Gvir believes that he can turn up the heat on Palestinian prisoners without being affected with his fire. According to the detainees’ movement they have nothing to lose now that options are open to take their rights. Gaza resistance groups also threatened that the issue of the detainees is a red line that may lead to an escalation and further tension in the region which the international community and the US are not willing. Israeli politicians have also cautioned that Ben Gvir frivolous crackdown may set up a showdown with Palestinians.
By the end of 2022 Palestinian detainee affairs institutions stated that the number of prisoners held in the Israeli occupation jails is 4700 including 29 female prisoners 150 children and 850 administrative detainees 15 journalists and 5 deputies in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
