Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir Touts “180-Degree” Shift to Harsh Conditions at Ofer Prison
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly championed the drastic deterioration of living standards for Palestinian detainees at Ofer Prison, characterizing the change as a deliberate policy success. In a recent statement, the far-right minister described the transformation of the facility in the occupied West Bank as a “180-degree” shift, boasting that the prison has gone from what he sarcastically termed an “all-inclusive hotel” to a site of harsh incarceration.
Ben-Gvir’s remarks underscore a systematic overhaul of the Israel Prison Service (IPS) under his command. Since assuming office, he has prioritized worsening the conditions for Palestinian “security prisoners,” a platform central to his political agenda. The Minister stated that the current reality at Ofer reflects the implementation of strict measures intended to strip detainees of any perceived comforts. This includes the reduction of food rations, the removal of amenities, and the enforcement of severe overcrowding, which Ben-Gvir presents as a necessary departure from previous policies he viewed as overly lenient.
Background analysis indicates that Ofer Prison, situated between Ramallah and Jerusalem, has become a focal point of tension following the escalation of the conflict in October 2023. As the leader of the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, Ben-Gvir has utilized his ministerial portfolio to bypass standard bureaucratic protocols to enforce these harsher regimes. Before his tenure, the IPS operated under guidelines that allowed for certain communal rights, which Ben-Gvir frequently derided as “summer camp” conditions.
However, this policy shift has faced significant objections from international human rights monitors and legal organizations. Critics argue that the conditions celebrated by Ben-Gvir violate international humanitarian law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the humane treatment of protected persons in occupied territories. Several NGOs have issued reports alleging that the “harsh conditions” praised by the Minister include systemic abuse, medical negligence, and starvation tactics, labeling them as forms of torture rather than legitimate incarceration. Legal experts warn that celebrating such conditions could expose Israeli officials to further scrutiny by international courts. Despite these warnings, Ben-Gvir continues to leverage the harsh environment at Ofer as a political achievement, asserting that the era of concessions for Palestinian detainees has ended.
