Last week, a joint report from The Palestinian Prisoner Society and the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees highlighted a widespread outbreak of scabies among Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, namely in Negev, Megiddo, Nafha, and Ramon. They attributed this outbreak to the retaliatory measures imposed by the prison administration on prisoners and detainees after October 7. Among those affected are child prisoners in Megiddo prison. They reported on the deprivation of necessary cleaning materials, restricted access to water, poor ventilation, and the deliberate transfer of infected prisoners from one section to another has accelerated the spread of the infection among the incarcerated.
Our Father, as our hearts break at the sight of human dignity stripped and defiled, we find comfort in the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” (Psalm 69:33) O Bringer of Justice, we ask for healing for our brothers and sisters held captive in Israeli prisons, tortured and sick from oppression. We ask that your Holy Spirit come down upon them and be with them until their hour of Liberation. We ask this in the name of the One who was tortured, killed, and rose to save us.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer