Israel Supreme Court Orders Increased Food for Palestinian Prisoners Amid Security Tensions

Israel's Supreme Court ruled that Palestinian prisoners, including those suspected of involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, must be provided with sufficient food meeting the minimum legal standards, overturning a policy that had significantly reduced their rations. The decision came after petitions by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and others, highlighting malnourishment and deteriorating prison conditions. In a 2–1 ruling, the court emphasized that providing adequate food is a basic survival requirement under Israeli law, despite the ongoing conflict and hostage crisis in Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the ruling, accusing the court of protecting terrorists while hostages in Gaza receive no such protection, and vowed to maintain only the minimum conditions required by law. Justice Minister Yariv Levin also criticized the court, likening judges to participants on a cooking show and supporting efforts to weaken the Supreme Court. Human rights advocates argued that the food restrictions amounted to torture and worsened conditions for both prisoners and hostages.