TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In a landmark ruling, Israel’s Supreme Court has directed the government to supply Palestinian detainees with adequate food, criticizing existing conditions as inhumane. This unprecedented move comes amid a 23-month Israel-Hamas war, provoking reactions from various sectors, including human rights activists and government officials.
The Court's unanimous decision mandates that detainees receive at least three meals a day, aiming to ensure they meet basic subsistence standards. This ruling is particularly poignant in light of reports revealing that detainees have been suffering from malnutrition and inadequate living conditions thanks to a policy perceived to intentionally restrict their food supply.
The court's criticism was bolstered by the testimonies of released Palestinian detainees who described appalling conditions in various detention camps, including overcrowding and lack of medical care. These accounts have emerged following widespread detentions executed by the Israeli military since the outbreak of conflict after Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, rejected the Court's ruling, maintaining that the policy to provide minimal conditions would continue. He claimed that his stance mirrored the nation’s need for security amidst ongoing hostilities and the plight of Israeli hostages in Hamas custody.
The ruling has sparked fervent discussions within the Israeli public, highlighting the state’s balance between national security and humanitarian responsibilities. Human rights groups, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, have hailed the decision, calling it a necessary step towards acknowledging basic human rights in detention facilities.
As the war continues, this ruling shines a light on the dire humanitarian backdrop of the conflict, emphasizing the pressing need for accountability and the acknowledgment of basic human rights for all individuals, regardless of their political situation.
