'Israel' imposes stricter limits on family visits of prisoners

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Sep 2023 19:12
1 Shares

The Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners and Liberated Prisoners has strongly criticized the Israeli move to reduce family visits for Palestinian prisoners from once a month to once every two months.

Protest held in front of Red Cross office in al-Bireh city, West Bank, in support of prisoners (WAFA)

The Israeli occupation prison administration reduced family visits for Palestinian prisoners from once a month to once every two months, beginning Sunday. Simultaneously, the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners and Liberated Prisoners strongly criticized the move as dangerous, describing it as a new violation of prisoners' rights.

In a press release, the Ministry acknowledged that Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's measures aim to divert attention from the government's fascist policies and appease the Zionist society at the expense of the suffering of Palestinian prisoners and their families.

The ministry warned of the repercussions of implementing this decision, which may lead to new confrontations within prisons and possibly outside them.

It emphasized that the National Captive Movement will not tolerate continued violations of its rights and will remain unified in facing the audacity of the Israeli occupation.

The ministry called on international humanitarian organizations, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross, to take a firm stance against this decision -- which constitutes a challenge to international law -- and to act promptly to prevent its implementation.

On the other hand, the Mohjat Al-Quds Foundation stated that Itamar Ben Gvir continues his policy of deepening the suffering of Palestinian prisoners by restricting family visits.

The foundation added that this crime will affect nearly 1600 prisoners out of around 5000, and it is a humanitarian crime aimed at continuing aggression against the prisoners and escalating the war against them to gain more support and backing from the Zionist entity.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which is responsible for the monthly visits to prisoners according to the Geneva Convention, was urged to play its role and take action at international courts to stop this crime and other ongoing crimes against Palestinian prisoners.

This is happening shortly after the Salem Military Court, operating under the Israeli occupation, has decided to delay the trial of imprisoned PIJ leader Maher al-Akhras until the sixth of next month, citing the need for "further investigation",

In late July, Ben Gvir approved a decision to prevent the "early release" of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, as part of his efforts to target the prisoner movement.