There are rumors and a considerable amount of speculation, but state officials are not responding to queries posed by Arab MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi and others. During a Knesset plenum session, Tibi questioned the suicide of an Australian national imprisoned in Israel. In a response, Justice Minister Prof. Yaakov Ne’eman stated that such matters do not fall under the jurisdiction of his ministry. He did not say any more.

On Tuesday 2 Adar 5773 the news broke that an Australian national imprisoned in Israel took his own life. Tibi stated “he was in an Israeli prison, under another identity”, asking for information on the incident. Tibi did not release additional details although it appeared he knew more about the case. Tibi was backed up by Meretz Party leader Zahava Gal-On, who also turned to Ne’eman seeking an explanation, asking why the matter is under a media blackout, possibly because it will embarrass Israel. She asked how we can mask this from the public under the guise of “security considerations”.

She elaborated that it was her who revealed the existence of interrogation facility known as 1391 and took her case to the Supreme Court. She called on the court to bring a halt to the conditions that existed in that facility, insisting it is unacceptable to imprison anyone under such conditions. MK (Hadash) Dov Khenin joined in asking the minister if prison officials were keeping this under wraps.

Once again, Ne’eman stated “I cannot respond since the matter is not under the jurisdiction of my office”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)