Palestinians burn Star of David t-shirts in protest after their release from Israeli prisons, denouncing the act as a humiliating and racist crime. The recent prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian groups saw 369 Palestinians freed in exchange for three Israeli captives, but the conditions under which they were released have sparked outrage.
Israel’s decision to force released Palestinian prisoners to wear white t-shirts emblazoned with the Star of David and the Arabic phrase “We will not forget or forgive” has been widely condemned as a blatant act of humiliation and psychological warfare.
Upon their arrival in Gaza, many of the freed prisoners turned their shirts inside out to hide the provocative slogans, while others publicly burned them in defiance.
A Controversial Prisoner Exchange
The prisoner swap was part of an ongoing truce between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups, mediated by international organizations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Since the ceasefire in January, 24 Israeli captives and 985 Palestinians have been freed in negotiated exchanges.
However, the manner in which Israel released these prisoners has overshadowed the exchange itself, with human rights groups and Palestinian factions condemning the forced wearing of these t-shirts as a calculated attempt to degrade and humiliate detainees.
The images released by the Israel Prison Service before the exchange showed some Palestinians wearing the shirts, a move that led to widespread backlash, including criticism from within Israel. According to Israeli media reports, the decision was made by Israel’s Prison Commissioner Kobi Yaacobi, allegedly without informing the political leadership.
Outrage and Condemnation
The forced imposition of these shirts has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian factions, international bodies, and human rights organizations. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two of the primary resistance groups involved in the exchange, issued strong condemnations, labeling the act a racist crime.
Hamas stated that the move starkly contrasts with its own commitment to humane treatment of Israeli captives held in Gaza, emphasizing that while Israeli detainees were treated in accordance with international laws, Palestinian prisoners endured deliberate humiliation.
Gaza | Palestinian detainees, released today as part of the prisoner exchange deal, and their families burn the uniforms that Israeli prison guards forced to wear, emblazoned with the Star of David and the phrase “We will not forgive, we will not forget.” pic.twitter.com/DzSpKSACNm
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 15, 2025
International human rights observers have also expressed concern over the practice, which they argue violates humanitarian norms. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), responsible for facilitating the prisoner transfers, criticized the treatment of the released detainees and urged all parties to ensure dignity in future exchanges.
“Despite repeatedly calling for all transfers to be carried out in a dignified and private manner, more must be done by all sides, including the mediators, to improve future transfers,” the ICRC stated.
Humiliation as a Systematic Policy
Political analysts and activists argue that this latest incident is part of a long-standing Israeli policy of psychological and physical humiliation against Palestinian prisoners. Xavier Abu Eid, a political analyst based in Bethlehem, described the incident as a continuation of a broader strategy of dehumanization.
“We’ve been analyzing throughout these past weeks the humiliation of Palestinian prisoners,” he told Al Jazeera. “This is nothing new, but it not only damages the prisoners but also their families.”
For decades, Palestinian detainees have reported mistreatment in Israeli prisons, ranging from solitary confinement to denial of basic rights. The latest move is seen as an extension of these policies, aiming to instill psychological distress even in the moment of their release.
Professor Mohamad Elmasry from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies further elaborated on this, stating that the shirts were another method employed by Israel to exert psychological control over Palestinians. “This is a clear attempt to dehumanize Palestinians and send a message that even in release, they remain subject to Israel’s control and humiliation.”
The outrage generated by this act underscores the deep tensions between Israel and the Palestinian people, even in moments intended to foster de-escalation.
While the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges were expected to reduce hostilities, incidents like these further inflame the situation and deepen grievances. The public burning of the t-shirts in Gaza serves as a symbolic rejection of Israeli attempts at psychological warfare, a defiant message that Palestinians refuse to accept indignity even in captivity.
As negotiations continue for further exchanges, international mediators will face increased pressure to ensure that releases occur under more dignified conditions.
The global response to this incident will likely shape future dialogues on prisoner treatment and human rights in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, for the Palestinians who burned the shirts, the act was more than just a protest—it was a reclaiming of dignity in the face of oppression.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….
