Israel Continues Solitary Confinement of Palestinian Journalist for 46 Days
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Palestinian institutions reported that Israeli authorities have kept journalist and administrative detainee Bushra al-Tawil in solitary confinement for 46 days, transferring her to Ohalei Kedar prison in Beersheba. This isolation prevents legal visits and is considered a violation of international standards for prisoner treatment. The organizations are calling for her immediate release and an end to the isolation policy, which they say is increasingly applied to Palestinian prisoners. Al-Tawil is the daughter of another administrative detainee, Jamal al-Tawil.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil has been held in solitary confinement by Israel for 46 consecutive days.
- Al-Tawil was transferred to Ohalei Kedar prison in Beersheba, preventing legal visits.
- Palestinian institutions are calling for international intervention to end her isolation and secure her release.
- Her prolonged isolation is seen as a violation of UN rules on prisoner treatment.
- The case highlights a growing trend of isolation policies against Palestinian prisoners.
- Al-Tawil is the daughter of Jamal al-Tawil, also an administrative detainee.
Palestinian institutions reported on Wednesday that the Israeli Prison Service has transferred administrative detainee and journalist Bushra al-Tawil to the Ohalei Kedar isolation wing in Beersheba, extending her solitary confinement to 46 consecutive days. Al-Tawil, who has been held under administrative detention since February, was moved from Nitzan prison in central Israel to Ohalei Kedar in Beersheba, after a period of isolation in Damoun prison in Haifa. The institutions stated that the prison administration's actions, including al-Tawil's transfer and continued isolation, prevent legal teams from visiting her, despite repeated requests from her lawyer. Her lawyer was informed of the transfer on Wednesday morning, preventing a scheduled visit. The organizations consider al-Tawil's ongoing isolation a direct targeting and hold the Israeli Prison Service fully responsible for her fate and life. They called on international bodies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to intervene urgently to end her isolation and secure her release. The case highlights a growing policy of isolation against Palestinian prisoners, with the prison service reportedly using special units to move female prisoners to isolation sections without explanation. This practice has become systematic in recent months, denying detainees knowledge of accusations against them and the opportunity to object, in addition to its psychological impact. According to the statement, al-Tawil's 46-day isolation exceeds the maximum period for prolonged solitary confinement under UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which prohibit indefinite and prolonged solitary confinement and consider holding a prisoner for 22 hours or more daily without meaningful human contact as solitary confinement. The rules state prolonged solitary confinement, over 15 days, should only be used exceptionally and for the shortest possible duration. Al-Tawil is noted as a prominent detainee who has faced administrative detention, and she is the daughter of Jamal al-Tawil, who has spent years in Israeli prisons. The institutions demanded al-Tawil's immediate release and the end of her isolation. Approximately 9,350 prisoners are currently held in Israeli jails, including 350 children and 90 women, who suffer from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations.
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