Red Cross Set to Resume Prison Visits for Terrorists After Court Ruling

Israeli security officials are preparing for the return of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visits to security prisoners in Israeli jails, with visits potentially resuming as early as Wednesday. This comes after the Supreme Court overturned an order by former Defense Minister Israel Katz that had banned the ICRC from visiting security detainees. The court ruled that the state had failed to provide a legal basis for the ban, despite multiple opportunities to do so.

The ban was initially imposed in October 2025, following intelligence from the Shin Bet security agency alleging that ICRC personnel were passing information to terrorists in prisons. Katz cited concerns that the visits would severely harm national security.

However, in early June, the Supreme Court unanimously accepted a petition against the blanket ban on ICRC visits to security prisoners held in Israel Prison Service and IDF facilities. The court emphasized the lack of legal foundation for the government's decision.

Following the court's ruling, the government attempted to delay the resumption of visits until after the upcoming elections. Additionally, a bill proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's party to circumvent the court's decision failed in the Knesset when ultra-Orthodox parties withheld their support pending the approval of draft exemption laws for military conscription.

ICRC representatives have reportedly been instructed to travel to Israel, and barring last-minute changes, the visits are expected to commence this Wednesday.