Israeli Prison Service Becomes Political Tool for National Security Minister

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has transformed the Israel Prison Service (IPS) into a political campaign tool, using its resources and personnel to promote his policies and image. This shift began with his 2022 election promise to end perceived leniency towards Palestinian prisoners, a pledge enshrined in his coalition agreement with the Likud party. Initially, Ben-Gvir's ability to enact drastic changes was limited by the IPS's complex legal framework. However, following the October 7th Hamas attacks, he leveraged the state of emergency to significantly worsen conditions for Palestinian prisoners, effectively turning his campaign slogan into policy.

Ben-Gvir's strategy involves creating and disseminating campaign videos that showcase the harsh conditions, often featuring him visiting prisons and interacting with inmates. These videos, released through official channels and his social media, use IPS symbols, staff, and facilities to visually demonstrate his perceived successes and garner political support. This approach has been criticized for potentially violating international law and has led to international condemnation, including from the UN and various countries, with some calling the conditions akin to 'Guantanamo'.

The article details how Ben-Gvir has also exerted control through appointments, notably replacing the IPS commissioner with a loyalist and personally interviewing numerous senior officers. This is seen as a pattern of behavior observed in his handling of the police, where he has been accused of allowing political considerations to influence appointments and operations. The legal system, including the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's office, has largely enabled these changes, often deferring to the minister's decisions or delaying legal challenges, despite evidence of severe prisoner mistreatment, including starvation, disease, and death.

Furthermore, Ben-Gvir's actions have reportedly had repercussions beyond the prison walls. Some released Israeli hostages have testified that the harsh treatment of Palestinian prisoners led to severe abuse against them in Hamas tunnels. The article concludes by warning that this politicization of the IPS, enabled by a public and legal system that has become desensitized to the plight of Palestinian prisoners, could eventually extend to other segments of Israeli society if such unchecked political power continues.