Maariv military correspondent Tal Lev-Ram reports that in response to a request from “security prisoners” (terrorists) imprisoned in Rimon Prison to remove the cellphone jamming device, Israel Prison Authority officials have complied.
The cell jamming device was installed a number of months ago to prevent terrorists from communicating with one another and with persons outside the prison, as all too often, cellphones are smuggled into the terrorists and terror attacks can be planned from within the prison.
In recent years, the problem of terrorists receiving illegal phones has grown, and in one case, a former Arab Member of Knesset, Basel Ghattas, was apprehended doing just that, and he was charged, tried and convicted, serving almost two years in prison. He was recently released.
It is reported that the cellphone jamming devices were also interfering with other electrical devices and this is why the prison service agreed to remove them. Imprisoned terrorists, many affiliated with Hamas, threatened to renew hunger strikes and protests if the jamming devices are not turned off. 14 cells were set ablaze in the beginning of renewed protests by the terrorists.
The were initially turned on as part of the new government policy that imprisoned Hamas terrorists are to receive the minimum standard demanded by international law and no more, hoping to add pressure on the Hamas regime in Gaza towards the release of citizens and bodies being held by the terrorist organization. The government also ceased family visitations for the imprisoned Hamas terrorists from Gaza.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
Did they also agree not to listen in on the prisoner’s calls? I suspect terrorists and other political prisoners say interesting things when they chat with their friends and relations.