Women's Organization for Political Prisoners (WOFPP)




Newsletter July 2006

There are about 115 women political prisoners at present in Israeli jails: in Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond) about 95, in Neve Tirza Prison (Ramle) 9, and several more in detention centers.

Deterioration in the prison conditions

The kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers was a pretext for Israel to start the massacres both in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon. At the same time, the daily attitude towards prisoners became much harsher.

Right after the first kidnapping in June, all the political prisoners (women and men) were forbidden family visits. After about six weeks, following an appeal submitted by "HaMoked, Center for the Defence of the Individual", the prison authorities allowed visits, but only for family members over 45 or under 16 years old. This permission didn't help most of the prisoners' families who couldn't visit the prison anyway, because of the strict closure imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The prison authorities disconnected all the Arab TV stations.

The sentenced prisoners were forbidden to meet lawyers. After about 10 days, the prison authorities abolished the prohibition of lawyers’ visits, following an appeal submitted by "Adala - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel".

The prisoners have difficulties buying products in the canteen, because the accounts of many of the prisoners are still blocked.
About blocking prisoner accounts

Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond)

Recently, when some prisoners, while preparing cold water, broke ice cubes (it is hot summertime), the warden shouted at them not to make noise and punished them by imposing a fine of 300 NIS (about 70$). When the prisoners laugh together or speak loudly, the wardens yell at them to stop.

‘Etaf ‘Alian, 42 years old, administrative detainee, from Ramallah, mother of a 22-months-old baby, was arrested on 22 December 2005. On 26 July, her administrative detention was extended for three months more.
More about 'Etaf 'Alyan

Manal Ghanim, 30 years old, mother of four, from Tulkarem Refugee Camp, was arrested on 16 April 2003. The Parole Board again refused to release her after she has served more than two thirds of her prison sentence.
More about Manal Ghanim

Neve Tirza Prison (Ramle)

At present, during recreation time in the prison yard, the women are accompanied by the wardens with all their military equipment: helmet, guns, armor and so on.

The women are seriously inconvenienced by the presence of male wardens in their wing, in particular at night. Because of this, they sleep with their headdresses on.


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