An Israeli human rights group has claimed that under the direction of the Palestinian security chief, Palestinian prisoners tortured other inmates at an Israeli jail.
The group B’Tselem also said jail wardens were aware of the torture, but did not intervene.
B’Tselem charged that during the period of August to October, two prisoners at the Ketziot prison died after being interrogated and tortured by fellow Palestinian inmates, who suspected the two of cooperation with Israel.
The human rights group said the interrogators were acting under orders from the Palestinian security chief, Jibril Rajoub.
Rajoub rejected the claims, saying that they were put forward by people on both sides who opposed the peace process. B’Tselem apparently sent urgent messages to Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Shimon Peres to address the matter.
The Israel Defense Force said in response that it was investigating the increased violence at the prison.
B’Tselem, which means “in the image” in Hebrew, is a reference to the biblical passages stating that people were created in the image of God.
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