Palestinian Prisoners Won't Recieve COVID-19 Vaccine
The Claim
Israel will start giving the COVID-19 vaccine to Palestinian security prisoners in the next few days.
News posted on
Emerging story
In December 2020, a claim that Israel will start giving the Palestinian prisoners the COVID-19 vaccine started circulating online. Social media users shared the claim with a picture alleging that it’s a signed document regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in the Israeli prisons. The claim has been circulating online on social media platforms and new websites. Claims that Israel has informed the prisoners that they will be vaccinated during the next few days has been widely circulating among journalists and human rights activists.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation found the claims misleading. As the claim started circulating, an Israeli news website reported that Interior Minister Amir Ohana says prison staff to receive vaccines while prisoners to be inoculated in accordance with guidelines for vaccinating the general population.
In response to Ohana's statement, the Head of The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), Qaddura Fares, stated that Israel is responsible for the lives and fate of the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. The Israeli Minister of Internal Security said that giving prisoners a vaccine will not be among the priorities.
According to Times of Israel, Ohana’s office said he’d ordered the Israel Prisons Service to only vaccinate prison staff at this stage and Palestinian prisoners shouldn’t be given vaccines without permission.
Since April, 140 Palestinian detainees tested positive for COVID-19 inside Israeli jails.
Israel is holding around 4,184 Palestinians, including 41 women, 170 children, and 380 detainees imprisoned with no charges or trials under the Israeli administrative detention policy.
According to the Jerusalem Post, almost 210,000 Israelis over the age of 60, medical professionals, and assisted living staff have received the coronavirus vaccine.
