Security cabinet stalls on Ben Gvir demand to harshen conditions of security prisoners

The security cabinet says there will be no decision on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s demand to harshen conditions for Palestinian security prisoners until after the Jewish High Holidays.

“The cabinet will hold a discussion in October on the issue of the security prisoners in jails. Until then there will be no changes,” says a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The security cabinet also authorizes a heightened alert status and the security forces’ preparations ahead of the holidays that start Friday evening with the Jewish New Year.

Ben Gvir has been adamant that his measures would go into effect immediately despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the security services.

Ben Gvir wants family visitation rights for Palestinian security prisoners to go down from once a month to once every two months.

Though Ben Gvir’s ministry is responsible for internal security, Netanyahu is widely seen as distrusting his far-right police minister and has been said to often keep him out of key discussions with top security officials.