Minister of Internal Security Amr Bar-Lev formulated a procedure that allows lawyers to meet with terrorists in prison, but prevents, contrary to the law, a member of the Knesset from religious Zionism from meeting with Jewish inmates who are psychologically damaged.
The speaker of the Knesset, Miki Levy, attacked Bar-Lev for this: "formulating a new policy".
Member of Knesset Michal Waldiger arrived yesterday at the gates of Nitzan Prison in Ramla, but the prison authorities refused to allow her to enter and inspect the conditions of confinement of detainees with mental problems, a visit which, according to the MK, is in accordance with the law and according to the law.
Her visit is required, according to her, due to her work on a bill Regarding the conditions for the release of prisoners with a mental background, during the legislative process, she asked to go to Nitzan prison and see the conditions of detention up close.
However, the Minister of Internal Security, Bar-Lev, through his advisors, refused to allow the visit to take place without reason, knowing that this was against the law.
MK Michal Waldiger,
MK Waldiger addressed Knesset Speaker Miki Levy, who sent an unusual letter to Bar-Lev: "I was surprised to see your letter to Member of Knesset Waldiger, in which you stated that "visits by Knesset members to prison facilities are made only as part of the work of Knesset committees," wrote the chairman the knesset
He also wrote to Minister Bar-Lev: "First of all, I would like to point out that from a factual point of view, members of the Knesset have always visited detention and incarceration facilities, being the party whose role in the law is to supervise the executive authority. In view of what appears to be a new policy on your part, which seeks to prohibit members of the Knesset from visiting incarceration facilities other than as part of a visit Committee of the Knesset, I would like to remind you that the parliamentary oversight of the executive branch is one of the most important roles entrusted to the members of the Knesset, and its purpose is to protect the democratic regime and proper governance and administration.
Speaker of the Knesset Miki Levy against Bar-Lev's decision, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"The Supreme Court has long recognized each member of the Knesset as standing on its own as a 'constitutional unit' and has the right to fulfill its duties independently."
Waldiger's associates told Israel Hayom: "After the procedure for visiting terrorists was published, we realized that the minister's approach is not professional but personal."
Waldiger sent another letter, this time also to State Comptroller Netanyahu Engelman: "One more time that I am knocking on the prison gates and one more time that I am denied the opportunity to enter the compound to tour the compound to meet the prisoners, to examine the conditions of incarceration, the treatment and rehabilitation programs.
"In accordance with the law, I increased my request to conduct a visit to the Nitzan-Magan detention area in Ramla, and brought to the attention of the relevant ministries and ministerial offices. In response, I received the approval of the Ministry of Internal Security, the Prison Service, and the Ministry of Health. Although I received the necessary approvals, which as far as I understand were required Incorrectly, I was not given the opportunity to enter the prison gates on the grounds of 'lack of approval from the Cabinet of Ministers.'"
Nitzan prison, photo: Yehoshua Yosef
"As we know, parliamentary oversight of the executive branch is one of the most important roles given to members of the Knesset, and its purpose is to protect the democratic regime, proper governance and administrative procedures. Denying my power to exercise my constitutional duties harms a central fundamental value in our democratic regime. Beyond denying my right to go to prison, It's serious enough, complaints to me about the chaos prevailing in the Ministry of Internal Security, when the right hand does not know about the actions of the left hand."
MK Waldiger adds: "No less serious is my fear that something is being hidden behind the walls of the prison - a violation of human rights or an improper work procedure, when I am prevented from entering and inspecting the compound to examine what is going on."
The office of Minister Amr Bar-Lev responded to the words: "Minister Bar-Lev has already given approval for MK Waldiger's visit, and she is invited to carry it out - subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, which is the responsibility of the facility, and in orderly coordination of the visit with the prison service as required in such cases Members of the Knesset, and not at a concert on the spot without any notice."
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