Israel slams 14 countries’ condemnation of new illegal Israeli settlements
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has condemned the international backlash to its approval of new illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the criticism was “discriminatory against Jews”.
“The cabinet decision to establish 11 new settlements and to formalise eight additional settlements is intended, among other things, to help address the security threats Israel is facing,” he claimed.
Following the announcement of the new settlements on Sunday, 14 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Canada, issued a statement calling on Israel to reverse its decision, as well as to stop the expansion of existing settlements.
They also reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution … where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace and security”.
It's anti-semitic to criticize colonialism, land theft and ethnic cleansing...
Palestinian prisoners facing ‘torture, starvation’ in Israeli prisons: Media Office
In Israeli prisons, more than 9,300 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are facing “torture, starvation, medical neglect, and slow executions”, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA).
Since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, Palestinians in prison have experienced an “unprecedented escalation in torture and repression”, the prisoner advocacy group stated.
“Daily systematic repression includes: Severe beatings, tear gas, electric shocks, rubber bullets, police dogs, and night raids. Female prisoners in Damon prison are subjected to: Raids, beatings, restraints, blindfolding, exposure to the cold, a severe shortage of blankets and clothing, denial of sanitary pads, and starvation,” it explained.
Other forms of repression include solitary confinement, medical neglect and the denial of treatment, starvation and overcrowding.
“Child prisoners (approximately 350): Subjected to beatings, starvation, illness, and denial of family visits,” it said.
According to the advocacy group, violations have been documented in the Israeli prisons of Ofer, Negev, Megiddo, Ramla, Shatta, Gilboa, Ganot, Damon, and the Sde Teiman and Gilad detention camps.
Israel denies medication to imprisoned Palestinian journalist: Prisoners’ Media Office
Palestinian journalist Mo’men al-Halabi from Gaza is currently facing harsh detention conditions in southern Israel’s Ramon prison.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA), al-Halabi, who suffers from blood clots in his left leg, is being denied his medication and a lack of medical follow-up by Israeli guards, leading to a “deterioration in his condition and difficulty moving”.
Alongside the medical neglect, he is also subjected to malnutrition and is suffering from the cold temperatures, possessing only two blankets and one jacket.
“What he is enduring is part of a systematic policy targeting journalists and freedom of expression. We hold the occupation fully responsible for his life and demand urgent human rights and media intervention to ensure his treatment and rights,” ASRA said in a statement.
