Israel: Terrorist Activity by Security Prisoners

15 May 2012

Understandings Regarding the Halt to the Involvement in Terrorist Activity by Security Prisoners in Israel and the Conditions under Which They are Being Held

(Communicated by the Israel Security Agency)

1. The leaders of security prisoners held in Israel have, today (Monday, 14 May 12), signed a commitment to completely halt terrorist activity inside Israeli prisons and have announced the end of the prisoners' strike. This is in wake of the understandings that were formulated in recent days, mediated by Egypt and the Palestinian Authority.

2. This progress was made possible following the understanding that was given by the commanders of the organizations outside the prisons to prevent such terrorist activity, after which a "green light" was given on their part for the security prisoners to sign the commitment document.

3. According to the commitment, the security prisoners will refrain from all activity that constitutes practical support for terrorism, including recruiting people for terrorist activity, guidance, financing, coordinating among recruits, aiding recruits, etc.

4. The security prisoners' leaders signed a commitment document on behalf of all security prisoners, from all organizations and in all Israeli prison facilities; for their part, it will also be binding on future prisoners.

5. In exchange for this commitment, Israel has agreed to implement a series of easements regarding the conditions under which the prisoners are being held. These include returning prisoners held in separation to the general wings and allowing family visits by first-degree relatives for security prisoners from the Gaza Strip and from Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). It was also agreed that an Israel Prison Service committee will discuss additional claims by the prisoners regarding the conditions under which they are being held.

6. The understandings with the prisoners were formulated in the spirit of a previous agreement that was signed with them in May 2000. That agreement was formulated following a series of discreet meetings and was honored by the sides for a lengthy period.

7. The current understanding document which the prisoners' leaders signed says that, "Activity against security that shall be perpetrated inside prisons or a resumption of prisoners' strikes inside Israeli prisons, shall lead to the cancellation of Israel's commitment to implement the aforesaid easements."

8. In the background to the signing of the agreement, activity was carried out behind the scenes with the active involvement of Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and their security services.

9. For Israel's part, in accordance with the instructions of the political echelon, the Israel Security Agency led in the formulation of the agreement, in full cooperation with the Israel Prison Service and the Public Security Ministry, which managed the crisis within the security prisons throughout the period.

10. Throughout the discussions, it was emphasized that measures which Israel is taking towards the security prisoners were dictated by reality in light of their involvement in terrorism that has occurred in Israel in recent years. These measures are in keeping with the requirements of international law and international treaties.

11. Security prisoners' additional involvement in terrorism will lead to the reapplication of the aforesaid measures and to the abrogation of the understandings.

ENDS

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