What it’s about
Israeli government ministers are pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refuse Red Cross visitation rights to imprisoned Nukhba terrorists until hostages in Gaza receive their own visitations and medical care.
Why it matters
This demand highlights the ongoing tension in Israel’s approach to handling terrorists and prioritizing the safety and health of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The ministers emphasize that reciprocal actions are key to ensuring justice and leverage in ongoing security concerns.
Driving the news
Earlier this week, the High Court of Justice issued a conditional order requiring the state to justify why it should block Red Cross representatives from visiting Nukhba terrorists in Israeli prisons. Responding to this, Minister Orit Strock and ten other government ministers are calling for the state’s defense to firmly dictate that Red Cross visits should only proceed after visitation and care for Israeli hostages are confirmed.
The big picture
Minister Strock’s stance, supported by Amichai Eliyahu, Uriel Busso, Yitzhak Goldknopf, Miki Zohar, Amichai Chikli, Idit Silman, Ya’acov Margi, Ofir Sofer, and May Golan, urges a policy stance that reinforces Israel’s stand against terrorism while demanding humanitarian balance.
What they are saying
“These visits harm deterrence and negotiations with Hamas, raise the morale of the terrorists, may lead to prison riots, and beyond that, it is a violation of Israeli sovereignty, and an opening for international intervention in other issues in the future. No country that respects its sovereignty and security would allow this to happen,” commented Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Looking back
The decision to authorize visits to Nukhba prisoners by the War Cabinet last April drew significant criticism among politicians and security officials. While Prime Minister Netanyahu and most cabinet ministers had approved these visits, Ministers Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich stood in firm opposition.
Smotrich scrutinized the approach taken by Israeli intelligence agencies post-discussion, suggesting they shift away from negotiations that impact Israel’s security and instead, return focus to more direct actions against Hamas leadership globally.
This story was first published on jpost.com.