Summary
Palestinian Prisoner’s Day is observed every April 17 to remember Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Currently, about 9,600 Palestinians are detained, including many held without charge and children tried in military courts. A new Israeli law allows the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, a move criticized by human rights groups.
Key Facts
- Palestinian Prisoner’s Day marks the release of Mahmoud Bakr Hejazi in 1971 and was officially recognized in 1974.
- More than 9,600 Palestinians are in Israeli custody as of early April 2024.
- Around 3,500 Palestinians are held under administrative detention, meaning without charge or trial.
- There are 342 Palestinian children and 84 women currently detained.
- Palestinians are tried in military courts, while Israeli settlers in the same areas are tried under civil law.
- Israel is the only country that tries children in military courts, often without basic rights.
- The new Israeli death penalty law applies only to Palestinians convicted of deadly acts against Israelis.
- Human rights groups and the United Nations have criticized the death penalty law as discriminatory and potentially a war crime.
