Incarcerating Palestinians and the Red Cross kept away

JVL Introduction

We have published before- and will continue to publish – information about Israel’s appalling treatment of the thousands of Palestinians it incarcerates who are kept in terrible conditions and often tortured.  At least a third of the prisoners are there without charge or any sort of due process, not even the loaded one where military courts have a conviction rate of at least 96%.  This latest article explores the need for, and denial of, Red Cross visits as required by the Geneva Conventions to which Israel is a signatory. A number of prisoners have been tortured to death. Many more have lost up to half their body weight. Israel’s attempts to stop the reports of egregious sexual abuse musty fail since there is extensive evidence to say nothing of boasting – and sometimes regret – by Israeli soldiers. The example of one rape at the notorious Sde Teiman prison was partially caught on camera so that some soldiers were arrested. This led to vehement protests demanding their release and warm welcomes when they have, eg attended gatherings (albeit in masks).  There was a link to another  article on a visit by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir before the vote on the apartheid death sentencing was taken. It makes for chilling reading.

Meanwhile, if Israel wants to prove that the allegations are false, why will they not allow the Red Cross access to the prisons – and the prisoners?

LL

This article was originally published by Ha'aretz on Fri 15 May 2026. Read the original here.