DaysofPal – Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir continues to block officials from Israel’s Justice Ministry and the Public Defender’s Office from entering Israeli prisons to inspect detention conditions, drawing growing criticism over the treatment of Palestinian prisoners since the start of the war on Gaza.
In a report published on Wednesday, the newspaper said a list containing the names of official prison inspectors was submitted to Ben Gvir in December last year. Since then, however, he has reportedly refused to sign off on the appointments, despite repeated requests seeking approval for their access to detention facilities.
The report added that Ben Gvir has also refused for the past three years to allow representatives of the Israeli Bar Association to enter prisons, despite their inclusion on a separate list authorizing oversight visits.
Under Israeli Prison Service regulations, the national security minister is required to approve the appointment of “official inspectors” who are authorized to enter prisons at any time, examine detention conditions, oversee prison management, and speak directly with prisoners and detainees.
According to Haaretz, the absence of official oversight coincides with a sharp deterioration in prison conditions since October 2023, following the declaration of a state of emergency inside Israeli detention facilities.
The newspaper said the number of prisoners and detainees has risen to unprecedented levels exceeding 23,000, contributing to severe overcrowding and worsening living conditions inside prisons.
The report also stated that Palestinian detainees were repeatedly denied access to drinking water for long periods during the war, at times for half a day, describing the measures as part of a policy of “collective punishment” carried out by Israeli authorities.
In response, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel reportedly submitted a formal protest to Ben Gvir objecting to the continued ban on oversight visits. The organization cited several international reports concerning conditions inside Israeli prisons.
According to the association, a United Nations committee recently issued one of the harshest reports yet regarding conditions in Israeli detention facilities, particularly concerning Palestinian prisoners.
The association stressed that preventing official visits directly contradicts the “urgent and growing need” for independent oversight given the serious deterioration inside prisons. It warned that the continued absence of inspectors prevents information regarding detention conditions from reaching the public.
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