Palestinian Authorities Condemn Far-Right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Over Death Threats to Prisoner Hassan Salama

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs has strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he published social media footage showing him confronting jailed Hamas figure Hassan Salama inside his cell and threatening to kill him.

“The footage published by Ben-Gvir shows that degradation and depravity have reached their highest levels,” stated Raed Abu al-Hummus, the head of the Palestinian Authority agency, on Monday, adding that conditions inside Israeli prisons amount to “organised terrorism.”

Ben-Gvir posted the video on X on Sunday, showing himself inside the cell of Salama, who has been imprisoned by Israel for 30 years and is serving multiple life sentences for his involvement in 1996 Hamas-orchestrated attacks. “I want to kill you. …. I want you executed,” Ben-Gvir told Salama while surrounded by Israeli security forces, noting the video was filmed two weeks prior.

The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office dismissed the action as “a cheap political and electoral stunt” ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections and a “cowardly act of bullying against a defenceless and handcuffed prisoner.” Hamas warned that the threats signal new crimes against detainees, while pledging continued efforts to secure their release.

This incident follows previous actions by Ben-Gvir, including visiting cells of Palestinian women in August to boast about their conditions and taunting long-imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti last year. In March, the Israeli Knesset approved legislation allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in certain cases, a policy heavily championed by Ben-Gvir and his party, Jewish Power.

Additionally, on Sunday, Ben-Gvir called for the “emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, referencing his “Disengagement 710” plan and a proposed migration ministry to expel residents. The minister has also supported rebuilding settlements in Gaza, pushed for the annexation of Palestinian territories, and approved gun licences for Israelis in 18 additional settlements.