Ben Gvir Threatens to Execute All Palestinian Prisoners
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has released a video showing himself inside the prison cell of Palestinian detainee Hassan Salameh, who has been held by Israel since 1996. In the footage, he expressed his intention to execute all Palestinian prisoners.
“I want to kill you. I want to execute you,” Ben-Gvir said to Salameh in the recording, as reported by the Anadolu news agency. Salameh, originally from the Gaza Strip, is serving several life sentences after being convicted by Israel for a series of attacks in the 1990s.
Currently, approximately 10,000 Palestinians are held by Israel, many without proper legal procedures. Women and children are also among those detained. Human rights organisations and former detainees have highlighted the inhumane conditions within Israeli prisons.
In a post accompanying the video, Ben-Gvir stated that he would strive to implement the death penalty for prisoners like Salameh if he holds the position of Minister of Defence in the upcoming Israeli government. He also pledged to promote what he terms “voluntary migration” from the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank—a phrase he frequently uses to refer to proposals for the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Ben-Gvir stated that his party, Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit), will demand the positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice as a condition for joining the next government. The Israeli Knesset elections are scheduled for 27 October.
The Prisoners’ Media Office condemned Ben-Gvir’s appearance on camera with Salameh. In a statement reported by Al Mayadeen, the office described the confrontation with the handcuffed detainee as a “show of bravado that reveals an occupation mentality based on the targeting and persecution of prisoners.”
The office stated that the threat constitutes “direct incitement to commit a crime against prisoner Salameh,” who has reportedly endured harsh detention conditions for many years. They called for the accountability of Israeli authorities regarding Salameh’s life and safety and urged international human rights organisations to intervene.
The office also described the video as a “cheap political and electoral manoeuvre,” accusing Ben-Gvir of using threats against detainees to garner sympathy from extremist voters. They stated that Salameh’s appearance demonstrates the impact of systematic starvation, torture, and medical neglect in Israeli detention.
The Palestinian Prisoners Commission also condemned the video. The commission’s head, Raed Abu al-Hummus, described the conditions in Israeli prisons as “organised terrorism” and called for international action, according to Anadolu.
Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement, stated that Ben-Gvir’s video signals the danger of further killings of Palestinian prisoners. The movement asserted that such threats would not weaken the spirit of Salameh or other detainees and pledged to continue working towards their release.
This confrontation occurs amidst Ben-Gvir’s pressure to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners. According to Anadolu reports, in March, the Israeli Knesset passed a law allowing the application of the death penalty in certain cases through a vote, with a result of 62 to 48. The law allows for the imposition of the death penalty without a prosecution request or a unanimous decision.
Ben-Gvir has also tightened restrictions on Palestinian prisoners during his tenure as National Security Minister. Al Mayadeen reported that he visited the Negev prison last month and ordered the seizure of clothing still held by the detainees.
The Prisoners’ Media Office stated that their warnings regarding Salameh reflect broader concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. They called for urgent measures to protect detainees following the open threats issued by Ben-Gvir.