Ben Gvir boasts about starving Palestinian prisoners: "They used to come out obese"

SadaNews: At the outset of the Israeli Supreme Court session held today to consider the petition against changes to the food list provided to Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir made provocative statements that stirred controversy.

Ben Gvir said: "I am proud, very proud that I changed the policy in the prisons. Previously, they used to enter thin and come out obese. They had everything in the prisons: baklava, shawarma, and lamb meat. This is illogical," he claimed.

He added: "I hope that the Supreme Court does not throw sticks in the wheels on this matter. The changes in the prisons will lead to deterrence, and will make the perpetrators not want to enter the prisons again."

Ben Gvir confirmed at the end of his statements that he attended the session "to ensure, to take interest, and to work so that the Supreme Court does not dare to change this very correct matter", adding that "the policy of the minimum of the minimum is an effective, deterrent policy, and it must continue."

These statements come as part of a hardline approach adopted by the extremist minister since taking office, and have been met with widespread criticism from local and international human rights organizations that consider the new policies an affront to the dignity of prisoners and a violation of international humanitarian standards.