Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Moves Palestinian Prisoners to Solitary Confinement Over 'Celebration Cake'
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that several Palestinian prisoners were moved to solitary confinement for allegedly preparing a cake to celebrate his potential election loss. The prisoners reportedly gathered jam and bread over days, but prison authorities discovered the cake before it could be consumed. Ben-Gvir used the incident in a social media post to encourage votes for his party, while human rights groups have criticized his policies tightening conditions for prisoners.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir moved Palestinian prisoners to solitary confinement for allegedly making a celebration cake.
- Ben-Gvir accused the prisoners of preparing the cake to celebrate his potential loss in the upcoming Israeli elections.
- The Israel Prison Service discovered the cake, leading to disciplinary proceedings and isolation for the prisoners.
- Ben-Gvir used the incident in a social media post to urge public support for his party, Otzma Yehudit.
- The announcement comes amid Ben-Gvir's broader policy of tightening conditions for Palestinian prisoners since October 2023.
- Human rights groups have criticized the deteriorating conditions and reduced access to necessities for prisoners.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced the transfer of several Palestinian prisoners to solitary confinement. He accused them of accumulating food items within the prison to prepare a cake, allegedly to celebrate the possibility of him not being elected in the upcoming Israeli elections scheduled for Tuesday.
According to Ben-Gvir's social media post, the prisoners gathered small amounts of jam and bread slices over several days to make a makeshift cake. He stated that the Israel Prison Service administration discovered the cake, leading to the prisoners facing disciplinary proceedings and their subsequent transfer to isolation cells.
Ben-Gvir claimed the prisoners had planned their celebration but asserted that their plans were thwarted. He leveraged the incident for electoral campaigning, urging the public to vote for his party, "Otzma Yehudit," represented by the letter 'Bet' on the ballot.
The minister did not specify the number of prisoners involved or their identities, nor did he provide independent details about the circumstances or the duration of their isolation. This action aligns with Ben-Gvir's policy of imposing stricter measures on Palestinian prisoners since assuming his ministerial role, which oversees the prison service. He has publicly stated his aim to reduce what he terms "prisoner privileges" and has repeatedly announced measures to tighten detention conditions.
Since October 7, 2023, prison authorities have implemented additional restrictions on Palestinian prisoners. This has coincided with reports from Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations detailing a deterioration in detention conditions, including reduced visits and services, limited access to basic necessities, and complaints of food and medical care shortages. These policies have drawn criticism from human rights groups, with increased calls for monitoring prisoner conditions and ensuring adequate food and healthcare in line with legal obligations.
In September 2025, the Israeli Supreme Court issued a ruling regarding petitions on the quantity of food provided to Palestinian prisoners, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring sufficient food to meet their basic needs. This decision followed objections from human rights organizations concerning nutrition within prisons, amid reports of declining food quantity and quality. The court affirmed that providing adequate food is a legal obligation for detention authorities.
Ben-Gvir's announcement brings renewed attention to the conditions of Palestinian prisoners and the minister's policies towards them, particularly as his statement about the isolation of prisoners was coupled with an electoral appeal. Independent details regarding the disciplinary actions, their duration, or the full circumstances of the incident remain unavailable.
