Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s moves to toughen conditions for prisoners incarcerated on terror charges have triggered a response from Hamas, who warned of a violent response should the lawmaker’s new policies be implemented.
“Ben-Gvir will fail to implement his decisions against the prisoners inside the occupation prisons,” Shadid continued, adding that incarcerated terrorists would launch a wide-scale rebellion should the reforms be rolled out.
“The Zionist government will bear responsibility for Ben-Gvir’s threats towards the Palestinian prisoner,” he said, adding that Israel should expect a “militant response.”
Ben-Gvir has long complained that incarcerated terrorists receive too many privileges in Israeli prisons, referring to “summer camp” conditions which he states are unreasonable.
“Security prisons should be sealed off completely” with “no yard, no feasts and festivals,” Ben-Gvir told Hebrew language media during a press conference in November 2022.
He added that convicted terrorists should receive “only the minimum conditions dictated by law.”
He has floated the idea of canceling educational programs, which allow terrorists to study for university degrees, no longer permitting them to cook for themselves, scaling back family visits, and severely restricting visits from MKs to security prisoners.
Ben-Gvir has also expressed his intention to end the practice of housing prisoners according to their terror group affiliation and allow each wing to have a representative who serves as a liaison between prisoners and the prison administration.