Ben-Gvir calls High Court directive allowing Nukhba visits a blow to Israel’s security

Itamar Ben-Gvir has condemned a High Court directive allowing Nukhba prisoners to receive visitors for the first time since October 7, calling it a direct threat to Israel’s security deterrence.

“The High Court’s directive to allow visits to Nukhba terrorists for the first time since October 7 constitutes a direct blow to the State of Israel’s security deterrence,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement released on Monday.

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The High Court’s directive to allow visits to Nukhba terrorists for the first time since October 7 constitutes a direct blow to the State of Israel’s security deterrence.

The national security minister linked what he described as a decline of about 75% in terrorist attacks to changes in prison conditions. He attributed that figure to the Shin Bet and said tougher conditions for security prisoners had played a role.

“The security reality is clear: There has been a decline of approximately 75% in terrorist attacks, according to the Shin Bet, due in part to the reform of conditions for terrorists in prison,” he said.

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The security reality is clear: There has been a decline of approximately 75% in terrorist attacks, according to the Shin Bet, due in part to the reform of conditions for terrorists in prison.

Ben-Gvir also accused the High Court of repeatedly serving Israel’s enemies. “Unfortunately, the High Court consistently serves as an address for appeals by the enemy,” he said, citing a remark by Justice Isaac Amit in a separate case involving the entry of goods into Gaza.

Tightening prison conditions for October 7 terrorists and advancing the death penalty for terrorists have become key parts of Ben-Gvir’s agenda. He previously defended the death penalty law amid international condemnation, saying it would help prevent another attack like the October 7 massacre. In August, while discussing an execution facility under construction, he said, “I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons, we kept it. I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape.”

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I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons, we kept it. I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape.