Israel Seeks 20th Delay in Court Case Over Red Cross Access to Palestinian Prisoners - Israel News - Haaretz.com
The State of Israel submitted a request to the High Court of Justice on Tuesday seeking a twentieth postponement of its response to a February 2024 petition demanding that Red Cross visits be allowed for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and that information about them be disclosed.
The state has requested to submit its response by September 4, but has declined to disclose the reasons for the delay. In its filing, it claims that a further 30-day continuance is needed "at the political echelon's request, based on professional considerations related to national security."
It added that these considerations were discussed during a classified High Court hearing held early last month, attended solely by state representatives.
- All hostages, Israeli and Palestinian, must be released from captivity
- Throughout the war, Israel's High Court denied requests to protect Gazans' human rights
- As Israel keeps detaining Gazans without trial, who cares if the hostages suffer revenge?
Israel halted Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners immediately after the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. Along with suspending visits, the state also ceased the transfer of information about detainees to the organization.
At the initiative of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, prison conditions for Palestinian security prisoners were significantly worsened. These measures have remained in place despite reports of human rights violations and warnings from security officials that the deteriorating conditions could endanger Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The petition, filed in 2023 by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, HaMoked – Center for the Defence of the Individual, Gisha and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, calls for the resumption of Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners. The petitioners argue that while Hamas has barred Red Cross access to Israeli hostages in Gaza, Israel remains obligated to allow visits to Palestinian detainees.
In the petition, attorney Oded Feller argues that under international law, a party to a conflict is not relieved of its obligations simply because the opposing side violates the laws of war.
"Although Hamas is holding Israeli hostages in horrific conditions, refuses to provide information about them, and denies Red Cross access, Israel remains obligated to allow such visits to the Palestinian prisoners in its custody," the petitioners wrote.
"Israel is a state governed by the rule of law and must act accordingly," they added. "Its obligations toward those it detains do not change because of Hamas's war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Last month, Haaretz reported that security prisoners in Megiddo Prison are suffering from malnutrition, illness and even death. Additionally, a report from the Public Defender's Office detailed a severe food shortage, causing extreme hunger among security detainees.
The report also cited restricted access to drinking water in certain areas, inadequate basic medical care and an outbreak of scabies in the security wings. It also documented numerous complaints of unnecessary violence against detainees and denial of access to judicial proceedings within the detention facilities.
It should be noted that in December, the High Court of Justice issued a conditional order requiring the state to explain why basic food, which ensures minimum living conditions, was not being provided to Palestinian security prisoners. The order was issued during hearings on another petition filed by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. The court discussed the petition last month but has yet to issue a ruling.