Friedmann on Hamas prisoner rights: 'Israel will abide by int'l law'

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Any decisions made to increase the harshness of conditions for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails will be in keeping with international law, outgoing Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said on Sunday. "Israel will abide by both international and local law," he told Israel Radio. "In this phase, we're presenting an intermediate report… and I hope it will be signed before the end of the [current] government's term." Friedmann chaired the committee which will present a list of recommendations to the cabinet on Sunday. Friedmann said that though Israel would not prevent the Red Cross from visiting prisoners, some benefits which Hamas prisoners enjoy would likely be diminished. He recommended cuts to periphery rights, such as studying in prison, watching television, reading newspapers and listening to radio, which he noted were optional, rather than obligatory rights.