'Our hostages did not have shampoo': Ben-Gvir taunts prisoners complaining about harsh conditions

AUGUST 30, 2026 13:50National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir published footage on Sunday morning from a visit he made to Damon Prison in recent weeks, during which he was seen touring a security wing and speaking with female prisoners.A statement from Ben-Gvir’s office claimed that the prisoners were female Islamic Jihad terrorists.The minister entered the cells and heard complaints from the terrorists about the harsh prison conditions and the revocation of benefits that had been customary in the past, Ben-Gvir’s associates said.Ben-Gvir responded to them, “Our hostages did not have shampoo and did not have these conditions. I am proud that we succeeded in reducing the conditions for terrorists to the barest of bare minimums. The prison kindergartens are over.”Ben-Gvir also said that he came to see firsthand the implementation of Israel's policy. "I heard the prison officers and also the complaints of the terrorists. We are not apologizing; anyone who harms Israeli civilians will not receive a kindergarten in prison. Terrorists, both male and female, will receive the minimum required by law, and nothing beyond that,” he said.Prisoners in the Damon prison. (credit: OTZMA YEHUDIT)In a post on X/Twitter showing the video of his conversation with the prisoners, Ben-Gvir wrote that "The 'whining' of the terrorists about the conditions in the prisons doesn't work on me - our hostages had no conditions at all."Ben-Gvir incites controversy in Gaza flotilla videoIn May, Ben-Gvir sparked controversy when he arrived for a tour alongside prison officers, police forces, and IDF troops at the Port of Ashdod during the detention of flotilla activists. “The kindergarten is over," Ben-Gvir said in a video of the tour. "Anyone who acts against the State of Israel will find a determined country. The people of Israel live.”In the footage released, the national security minister was seen waving an Israeli flag and saying, “They came with a lot of pride, as great heroes. Look how they look now,” while gesturing toward the activists who were handcuffed on the ground. He called out, “Not heroes and nothing else, supporters of terror.”“Welcome to Israel, we are the ones in charge,” Ben-Gvir shouted at the activists, adding, “I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a long time. Give them to us for the terrorists’ prisons.”At another point in the video, a flotilla activist shouted “Free Palestine” and began resisting. The forces pushed her to the ground, and Ben-Gvir responded, “Good job.” Later, he shouted to police officers, “Do not be affected by their shouting.”Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.Follow us on Google