Itamar Ben Gvir Boasts of Harsh Palestinian Prison Conditions

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a video on X showing him confronting female Palestinian prisoners at the Damon security prison in northern Israel. In the footage, a prisoner identified as Yasmine Shaaban described extremely bad conditions, including a lack of medical treatment, clean clothes, and the inability to bathe for three days. Ben Gvir responded that he is directly responsible for these conditions and is pleased with them, stating that the days of summer camp in prisons in Israel are over.

Ben Gvir justified the harsh treatment by comparing it to the conditions of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks. He dismissed the prisoners' complaints as whining and asserted that he will continue to lead a policy of the bare minimum of the minimum. Since taking office in late 2022, Ben Gvir has implemented restrictions on food, water, and family visits. Human rights reports indicate these policies have led to starvation, medical neglect, and torture.

The Palestinian Authority’s Commission on Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, and the Hamas-run Gaza prisoners ministry condemned the video as a political spectacle and an assault on human dignity, citing brutality and racism. Approximately 9,500 Palestinians, including 94 women and over 350 children, are currently held in Israeli jails. This public display occurs two months before the October 27 elections, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition struggles in the polls.