'Israel to block Hamas inmates' phones'
Internal Security Minister Aharonovitch presents to Knesset restrictions to be imposed on security prisoners
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said Wednesday he would promote the purchase of electronic systems which would block the use of cellular phones by security prisoners and prevent their smuggling.
Responding to a question by Knesset Member Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) regarding the aggravation of Hamas prisoners' conditions, he said: "Security prisoners, unlike criminal prisoners, are not entitled to vacations, conjugal visits, the use of cell phones, education and the services of a social worker.
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"In terms of visits they are entitled to one 45-minute visit every fortnight from immediate family with a partition present. "
He noted that visits will be held only once a month in the Keziot Prison.
He further added, "As for academic studies, prisoners were previously given the opportunity to enroll in classes in the Open University. In recent years I have taken a number of steps to reduce studies and was instructed last month to altogether cease the option of studies."
The minister also addressed reports of a planned hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners. "There is currently no hunger strike in prisons. There are intentions however. They can strike all they want, nothing will deter myself and the Prison Service."
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