Palestine inmates banned from performing Friday prayers

RAMALLAH, Palestine

The Israeli authorities have banned Palestinian Muslim prison inmates from performing Friday prayers, the Palestinian Prisoners Association asserted on Friday.

In a statement, the association said the Israeli Prison Service had informed Palestinian detainees in all Israeli detention facilities that they were no longer permitted to perform Friday prayers.

An estimated 5,700 Palestinians -- including numerous women and children -- are currently languishing in prisons across Israel.