The “Hamas summer camp” in Israeli prisons is about to be terminated, with a new bill submitted by MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu), demanding the revocation of privileges for security prisoners in Israel.
The Bill, “Denial of privileges of security prisoner belonging to a terrorist organization” amends the current Prisons Ordinance and regulates the system of awarding privileges to prisoners convicted of attacking Israeli citizens and belonging to terror organizations. The new bill is in keeping with the basic rights of security prisoners according to international conventions.
The privileges which will become outlawed should the bill pass are conjugal visits, canteen purchases, possession of TV sets and game consoles, high school equivalency and academic studies, vacations, and receiving clothing and provisions from the outside.
MK Forer said that it is inconceivable that while terror victims and their families are paying such a high price and suffering so much, the terrorists who caused their anguish would play video games and enjoy educational and leisure activities in prison. “Back in 2009, a special commission determined that security prisoners in Israel enjoy privileges without compare anywhere else in the world,” he said.
MK Forer stressed that these privileges are not based on any international convention. “This bill demands that we act according to international conventions that define the basic human rights [to which security prisoners are entitled] and stop the summer camp that’s been created regarding the conditions for security prisoners,” he reiterated.