'Blow to Israel's security': Ben-Gvir slams High Court directive allowing Nukhba terrorists visits

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the High Court directive allowing visits to Nukhba terrorists would directly harm Israel’s security deterrence.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the High Court of Justice directive that allows Nukhba terrorists to receive visits for the first time since October 7, according to a statement released on Monday.

Ben-Gvir argued that the decision would harm Israel’s security deterrence, pointing to what he described as the impact of tougher conditions for security prisoners.

“The High Court’s directive to allow visits to Nukhba terrorists for the first time since October 7 constitutes a direct blow to the State of Israel’s security deterrence," Ben-Gvir said.

He also linked a decline in terrorist attacks to reforms in prison conditions.

“The security reality is clear: There has been a decline of approximately 75% in terrorist attacks, according to the Shin Bet, due in part to the reform of conditions for terrorists in prison," he said.

Ben-Gvir also accused the High Court of serving the interests of Israel’s enemies, saying, “Unfortunately, the High Court consistently serves as an address for appeals by the enemy, and as Justice Amit told petitioners in the case concerning the entry of goods into Gaza, ‘This court places itself at your disposal.'”

Prison conditions, death penalty central to Ben-Gvir agenda

As national security minister, Ben-Gvir has made tightening prison conditions for October 7 terrorists and advancing the death penalty for terrorists key priorities of his term.

When the death penalty for terrorists law first passed in April, Ben-Gvir told The Jerusalem Post that the measure would help prevent another attack like the October 7 massacre, defending it amid international condemnation and saying it would align Israel with US capital punishment policies.

Ben-Gvir has continued to present harsher prison conditions and capital punishment as central elements of his approach to deterring terrorism. Speaking in August about an execution facility being built for terrorists, he said, "I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons - we kept it. I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law - we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape."

Keshet Neev and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.