Abuse of Palestinian Women in Israeli Prisons
Lawyers from the Prisoners’ Association recently visited Damon Prison and met with the female Palestinian inmates, most of whom are from the Gaza Strip. Following the visit, a written statement was released detailing the harsh conditions and mistreatment faced by these women.
According to the statement, there are 80 female prisoners at Damon Prison, with the majority hailing from the Gaza Strip, along with others from the West Bank, Jerusalem, and various cities in Israel. The report highlighted that these women are subjected to torture, insults, and humiliation, in addition to being starved. The overcrowded conditions in the prison result in many of the women being forced to sleep on the floor, and the administration does not allow them access to blankets.
Furthermore, it was revealed that some of the women have been wearing the same clothes for over a month, as the prison administration does not permit them to change. Additionally, the Gaza prisoners are kept separate from the others and are deprived of communication. They are also given inadequate drinking water, further exacerbating their suffering.
One particularly concerning incident involved a 4-month-pregnant woman who was deliberately starved by the prison administration, being given burnt and inedible food. The statement also highlighted the mistreatment of an 82-year-old woman in the prison.
Amidst these revelations, the international community, especially the United Nations, has been urged to intervene and address Israel’s unlawful practices against Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli authorities have not yet issued a statement in response to the allegations.
The inhumane treatment of these female Palestinian prisoners is a violation of their fundamental rights and warrants immediate attention and action from the relevant authorities to ensure their well-being and safety.
