Palestinian Authority slams Israeli abuse of prisoners

By Qays Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) on Tuesday denounced the mistreatment to which Palestinian inmates in Israeli prisons are regularly subjected.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Issa Qaraqe, head of the PA's Commission for Prisoners Affairs, said that Israel regularly subjects Palestinian prisoners to “severe measures”, including depriving them of water.

He went on to describe such measures as “illegal”, accusing Israeli prison authorities of systematically mistreating prisoners and depriving them of their basic rights.

Palestinians imprisoned by Israel are generally subjected to tight restrictions, including limits on visits by family members.

Israel’s Channel 10 recently reported that Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan had directed the Israeli Prisons Authority to reduce shower time for inmates with the ostensible aim of conserving water.