Palestinian prisoners in Israel

The future of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is considered central to progress in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process.^[1] Cases of prison sentences include the charges of terrorism or being a member of an "illegal terrorist organization", such as Hamas or prior to the Oslo Accords the Palestine Liberation Organization, but according to some accounts also by political activism such as raising a Palestinian flag.^[2]^[3]

In April 2022, there were 4,450 Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli prisons – including 160 children, 32 women, and over 1,000 "administrative detainees" (indefinitely incarcerated without charge).^[4] According to B'tselem, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023, Palestinians prisoners with Israeli citizenship have been stripped of many of their rights .^[5] It further found that abuse of detainees is so institutionalized that the prisons should be called 'torture camps'.^[6]

In December 2011, 4,772 Palestinian security prisoners were serving terms in Israeli prisons. Of these, 552 were sentenced to life terms.^[7]By July 2024, there were 9,623 Palestinians incarcerated by Israel, 4,781 in administrative detention, for alleged security reasons.^[8]

^ Europa Publications (2003). The Middle East and North Africa 2004. Routledge. p. 554. ISBN 9781857431841.
^ Punamäki 1988, p. 81.
^ Falk 2002, p. 26.
^ "Statistics on Palestinians in the custody of the Israeli security forces".
^ Welcome to Hell :The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps, B'tselem August 2024 pp.100-112,108.
^ Bethan McKernan, Emma Graham-Harrison, Quique Kierszenbaum Sufian Taha, Palestinian prisoners describe systemic abuse in Israel’s jails The Guardian 5 August 2024
^ Izikovich, Gili (6 December 2011). "Abbas should change his locks before next wave of Palestinian prisoners freed". Haaretz. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
^ :'Just before the war started, the overall number of Palestinians incarcerated by Israel and classified as "security prisoners" was 5,192, with about 1,319 held without trial as "administrative detainees." In early July 2024, there were 9,623 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons and detention facilities, 4,781 of whom were detained without trial, without being presented with the allegations against them, and without access to the right to defend themselves.' Welcome to Hell B'tselem, August 2024 p.6

[Europap554-1] Europa Publications (2003). The Middle East and North Africa 2004. Routledge. p. 554. ISBN 9781857431841.

[FOOTNOTEPunamäki198881-2] Punamäki 1988, p. 81.

[FOOTNOTEFalk200226-3] Falk 2002, p. 26.

[btselem2020jun30-4] "Statistics on Palestinians in the custody of the Israeli security forces".

[5] Welcome to Hell :The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps, B'tselem August 2024 pp.100-112,108.

[6] Bethan McKernan, Emma Graham-Harrison, Quique Kierszenbaum Sufian Taha, Palestinian prisoners describe systemic abuse in Israel’s jails The Guardian 5 August 2024

[7] Izikovich, Gili (6 December 2011). "Abbas should change his locks before next wave of Palestinian prisoners freed". Haaretz. Retrieved 24 March 2014.

[8] :'Just before the war started, the overall number of Palestinians incarcerated by Israel and classified as "security prisoners" was 5,192, with about 1,319 held without trial as "administrative detainees." In early July 2024, there were 9,623 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons and detention facilities, 4,781 of whom were detained without trial, without being presented with the allegations against them, and without access to the right to defend themselves.' Welcome to Hell B'tselem, August 2024 p.6

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