RAMALLAH, July 31, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Center for Prisoners Studies said Sunday that Israeli prison administration has imposed new sanctions on Palestinian prisoners on the eve of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

The center said the prison administration did not respond to prisoners’ demands to distribute meals at the time of iftar, at sunset, when Muslims break their fast after fasting all day.  

Palestinians detained at Israeli Nafha prison said the prison administration has taken a number of oppressive decisions against them such as forbidding them from watching Arabic satellite TV channels, confiscating their university books, refusing to replace Jewish prisoners who cook the food with Palestinian prisoners and refusing to allow prisoners to take their break en masse to perform prayers in congregation, as is customary for Muslims each night in Ramadan.  

The center said these measures are a part of the ongoing oppression policy against prisoners and called on international humanitarian and human rights organizations to pressure Israel to stop these illegal measures against Palestinian prisoners.

T.R./F.J.