Israeli prisons deny Palestinian detainees Ramadan prayer alerts

Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons are being systematically prevented from observing the holy month of Ramadan, according to a statement released Saturday by the Palestinian Commission of Detainees' Affairs. The commission reported that authorities at Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank are refusing to inform prisoners of the precise times for dawn and sunset prayers, which are essential for starting and breaking the daily fast.

Ramadan Observance Deliberately Hindered

Khaled Mahajneh, a lawyer with the commission, detailed the harsh conditions facing detainees during the Islamic holy month. "Prisoners observe Ramadan without suhoor (a pre-dawn meal), while iftar (a fasting-breaking meal) turns into a long ordeal," Mahajneh told the official Voice of Palestine radio. He further alleged that detainees at Gilboa Prison in northern Israel were not even alerted about the start of Ramadan; one prisoner reportedly only learned of its beginning while attending a court session.

The lawyer also described the quality of the meals provided, stating, "For more than two years, Palestinian detainees are forced to eat only food scraps for iftar." He accused the Israeli authorities of a deliberate policy aimed at "erasing the joy of Palestinian prisoners of religious occasions."

Widespread Concerns Over Detainee Treatment

The accusations come against a backdrop of widespread concern regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody. According to Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, more than 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, a figure that includes approximately 350 children. These groups have documented cases of torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which they say have led to the deaths of dozens of detainees. The current restrictions during Ramadan are seen by advocates as an extension of these systemic abuses, inflicting further suffering on prisoners and their families.