Israel’s Ben-Gvir restricts Arab MKs’ visits to Palestinian prisoners

From Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday tightened restrictions on visits by Arab members of the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) to Palestinian prisoners.

Ben-Gvir informed Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to cancel the practice under which any member of Knesset (MK) can visit security prisoners, Israeli Public Radio reported KAN.

"I have rescinded the procedure of Omar Bar-Lev (former public security minister) and Miki Levy (former police chief), which allowed any MK to meet with terrorists in prison, after concluding that these visits led to the incitement and promotion of terrorist actions," Ben-Gvir said in a tweet.

On Friday, during a visit to Israel's Nafha Prison, Ben-Gvir threatened to take action "to ensure that the conditions of Palestinian prisoners are not improved."

He also said he would pursue plans to pass a law that would impose the death penalty on prisoners accused of killing or attempting to kill Israelis.

"I visited Nafha Prison yesterday after new cells were built to ensure that those who murdered Jews do not receive better conditions than the existing ones," he tweeted.

From time to time, Arab MPs visit Palestinian prisoners to check on their condition, especially those who have called a hunger strike.

According to Palestinian figures, some 4,700 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, including 29 female prisoners, 150 minors, some 850 administrative detainees, 15 journalists and five lawmakers.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report