Netanyahu warns Ben-Gvir against tampering with prison-visiting policy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
6 Sep 2023 17:21
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Tensions in the Israeli government are escalating as Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's decision to reduce visits by families of security prisoners sparks a fierce dispute with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smiles at Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Feb. 22, 2023. (AP)

Israeli Channel 12's political correspondent, Yaron Avraham, has confirmed that security tensions and conflicts within the Israeli government continue to escalate due to Police Minister Ben-Gvir's decision to limit visits by the families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

"The dispute between the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir has intensified significantly, particularly concerning the conditions of security prisoners in Israeli prisons," Avraham said.

In recent days, negotiations have taken place between the parties in preparation for a meeting of the Israeli cabinet. Meanwhile, sources within Netanyahu's office have urged Ben-Gvir to "refrain from making any essential changes to the status of prison visits before the session."

The correspondent revealed that Ben-Gvir, on his part, engaged in discussions with Netanyahu representatives and expressed that he is willing to wait and respond to the general discussions in the mini-cabinet, expressing his hopes that the security establishment would present a diverse position, rather than a unanimous one.

According to Ben-Gvir's new orders, families would be allowed to visit once every two months.

Avraham quoted sources as saying that the issue of visits is exclusively under Ben-Gvir's authority, and thus far, he has rejected all requests by Netanyahu, who is vigorously attempting to persuade him to reconsider this decision.

Furthermore, high-ranking officials of the Israeli security establishment have warned that "any changes in the conditions of prisoners at this stage will escalate tensions across different battlefields, and it is essential to wait before making any dramatic alterations in the prisoners' living conditions."

The Ynet news website reported that "the Israeli army and the Shin Bet have stated that they were not consulted about this move."

Earlier on Sunday, the head of the Office of Martyrs, Prisoners and Wounded in Hamas, Zaher Jabarin, stated that Palestinian prisoners would not yield to the decisions of Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, stressing that the Palestinian people will stand behind Palestinian prisoners during their hunger strike.

In a press release, the Hamas official affirmed that the open war against the prisoners through criminal Zionist government decisions would not break their determination or affect their morale. He also noted that the occupation will have to face prisoners who "do not accept injustice" in Israeli prisons and will resist by all means possible.

Jabarin further expressed confidence in the prisoners' ability to achieve victory against the enemy and force it to yield to their legitimate rights and have it restore their seized ones.