Israel’s Ben-Gvir lauds harsh conditions for Palestinian female prisoners

Key Points:

• Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video from a prison holding Palestinian women, boasting about imposing harsh conditions and stating he is directly responsible and pleased with the situation.
• In the video, female prisoners complain about lack of showers, medical treatment, and clean clothes, while Ben-Gvir dismisses their complaints, citing a policy of providing only the "bare minimum."
• Palestinian groups condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit and video as intimidation, humiliation, and a political spectacle aimed at breaking prisoners' will, describing the conditions as part of a systematic policy of retaliation.
• Since late 2022, Ben-Gvir has pushed for tougher conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including reducing food and water, restricting visits, and limiting privileges, while opposing court rulings aimed at improving prisoner treatment.
• Approximately 9,400 Palestinians, including 88 women and over 350 children, are currently held in Israeli prisons, according to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.