National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released footage Sunday morning showing a recent visit to Damon Prison, where he toured a security wing and spoke with female prisoners.

According to a statement from Ben-Gvir’s office, the prisoners were female Islamic Jihad terrorists.

During his visit, Ben-Gvir entered the cells and heard prisoners complain about what they described as harsh conditions and the removal of benefits that had previously been available to them, according to associates of the minister.

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.”

The minister said the purpose of his visit was to personally observe how the government’s policy was being implemented inside the prison. “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.

In a post on X/Twitter accompanying the video of his exchange with the prisoners, Ben-Gvir reiterated his position, writing 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 has repeatedly used prison conditions to underscore his policy

The Damon Prison footage follows earlier remarks by Ben-Gvir that generated controversy over his approach to detainees and prisoners.

In May, Ben-Gvir visited the Port of Ashdod alongside prison officials, police, and IDF forces while flotilla activists were being detained. During the visit, he declared, “The kindergarten is over,” and continued, “Anyone who acts against the State of Israel will find a determined country. The people of Israel live.”

Additional footage from that visit showed the national security minister waving an Israeli flag while addressing the detained activists. “They came with a lot of pride, as great heroes. Look how they look now,” Ben-Gvir said, while gesturing toward activists who were handcuffed on the ground. He then called out, “Not heroes and nothing else, supporters of terror.”

Ben-Gvir also addressed the activists directly, shouting, “Welcome to Israel, we are the ones in charge,” before 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, a flotilla activist shouted “Free Palestine” and resisted as security forces moved against her. After the forces pushed her to the ground, Ben-Gvir responded, “Good job.” He later called to police officers, “Do not be affected by their shouting.”