26 nov 2012
400 Palestinians jailed during Israel's raging arrest campaign in W. Bank
The Israeli military and security forces have kidnapped 400 Palestinians in the West Bank in the context of a revenge campaign that started against Hamas supporters on the first day of Israel's latest war on the Gaza Strip.
As the Israeli arrest campaign against Hamas supporters and civilians in the West Bank is escalating, some Israeli jails have become overcrowded with Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli occupation forces arrested some of those West Bankers because of their participation in protests during Israel's war on Gaza and the others were jailed after the war ended.
The Palestinian prisoner society said the Israeli regime and its prison authority administratively detained most of those Palestinians kidnapped during this ongoing campaign in West Bank, which reflected that these arrests were carried out for retaliatory reasons.
As the Israeli arrest campaign against Hamas supporters and civilians in the West Bank is escalating, some Israeli jails have become overcrowded with Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli occupation forces arrested some of those West Bankers because of their participation in protests during Israel's war on Gaza and the others were jailed after the war ended.
The Palestinian prisoner society said the Israeli regime and its prison authority administratively detained most of those Palestinians kidnapped during this ongoing campaign in West Bank, which reflected that these arrests were carried out for retaliatory reasons.
IOA turns MPs Ramahi and Za’arir to administrative detention
Sources in Change and Reform parliamentary bloc confirmed that Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) turned the secretary of the Legislative Council MP Mahmoud Ramahi from Ramallah, and MP Za’arir to administrative detention (without charge or trial).
The sources quoted the lawyer Fadi Qawasmi as saying that the occupation turned MPs Ramahi and Za’arir to administrative detention without charge for either of them, stressing that he will appeal against the sentence as soon as possible.
Hamas MPs in the West Bank condemned the "unjust sentence", stressing that the arrest of the MPs was "political par excellence" in addition it is a “invalid and illegal sentence" that aims at absenting the leaders of the Palestinian people from the scene.”
"The Israeli occupation is trying to undermine the Palestinian joy of victory achieved by the resistance in Gaza," they stressed.
The MPs called on the international community to pressure the Israeli entity to stop what they called" the killing of Palestinian legitimacy "and to release all members of the Legislative Council."
It is noted that the occupation arrested two days ago five MPs from Change and Reform parliamentary Bloc and arrested yesterday another MP from Nablus, bringing the number of detained MPs to 14 members, 11 of them from Hamas' block and two from Fatah block, in addition to Ahmad Sa'adat, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The sources quoted the lawyer Fadi Qawasmi as saying that the occupation turned MPs Ramahi and Za’arir to administrative detention without charge for either of them, stressing that he will appeal against the sentence as soon as possible.
Hamas MPs in the West Bank condemned the "unjust sentence", stressing that the arrest of the MPs was "political par excellence" in addition it is a “invalid and illegal sentence" that aims at absenting the leaders of the Palestinian people from the scene.”
"The Israeli occupation is trying to undermine the Palestinian joy of victory achieved by the resistance in Gaza," they stressed.
The MPs called on the international community to pressure the Israeli entity to stop what they called" the killing of Palestinian legitimacy "and to release all members of the Legislative Council."
It is noted that the occupation arrested two days ago five MPs from Change and Reform parliamentary Bloc and arrested yesterday another MP from Nablus, bringing the number of detained MPs to 14 members, 11 of them from Hamas' block and two from Fatah block, in addition to Ahmad Sa'adat, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
IOF arrests 4 Palestinians in Nablus
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the city of Nablus early on Monday and raided a number of houses and neighborhoods, where they arrested four Palestinians from the city after breaking into their homes and damaging their contents.
The father of captive Bara'a Nawaf said that the occupation forces stormed their home in Ma'ajin area west of the city of Nablus at three o'clock in the morning, and arrested his son after damaging the contents of the detainee's room.
The Israeli forces arrested three young men from other parts of the city, where they raided Ein Beit al-Maa camp and stormed the house of Abu Khalifa and arrested the young man Rabi'i Munir Abu Khalifa after searching his home. Names of other detainees are not yet known.
The occupation forces released Dr. Mustafa Shunnar, a lecturer at Al-Najah University in Nablus, after five-days in Israeli prisons, where he was interrogated for long hours before being released. The Israeli occupation forces also released Yasser Abu Tama'a and Awni Camille, from the city of Jenin.
Meanwhile, the village of Yabad, south of Jenin, has witnessed at dawn today, wide confrontations between the occupation forces and Palestinian youths, followed by Israeli decision to close the eastern entrance of the town.
Local sources said that the occupation forces that stormed the eastern neighborhood of the town continuously provoked citizens, which led to the eruption of the clashes during which youths threw stones at the neighboring Israeli military camps.
The sources pointed out that the occupation forces - and as a kind of collective punishment to the citizens - closed Monday morning the eastern entrance to the town and banned the movement of citizens, forcing the students and employees to take longer routes.
The soldiers told the citizens that they will not be allowed to cross from the region because they threw the occupation forces with stones, and set up checkpoints in the area.
The father of captive Bara'a Nawaf said that the occupation forces stormed their home in Ma'ajin area west of the city of Nablus at three o'clock in the morning, and arrested his son after damaging the contents of the detainee's room.
The Israeli forces arrested three young men from other parts of the city, where they raided Ein Beit al-Maa camp and stormed the house of Abu Khalifa and arrested the young man Rabi'i Munir Abu Khalifa after searching his home. Names of other detainees are not yet known.
The occupation forces released Dr. Mustafa Shunnar, a lecturer at Al-Najah University in Nablus, after five-days in Israeli prisons, where he was interrogated for long hours before being released. The Israeli occupation forces also released Yasser Abu Tama'a and Awni Camille, from the city of Jenin.
Meanwhile, the village of Yabad, south of Jenin, has witnessed at dawn today, wide confrontations between the occupation forces and Palestinian youths, followed by Israeli decision to close the eastern entrance of the town.
Local sources said that the occupation forces that stormed the eastern neighborhood of the town continuously provoked citizens, which led to the eruption of the clashes during which youths threw stones at the neighboring Israeli military camps.
The sources pointed out that the occupation forces - and as a kind of collective punishment to the citizens - closed Monday morning the eastern entrance to the town and banned the movement of citizens, forcing the students and employees to take longer routes.
The soldiers told the citizens that they will not be allowed to cross from the region because they threw the occupation forces with stones, and set up checkpoints in the area.
Mass hunger strike tomorrow in solidarity with Sharawna and Issawi
A human rights center confirmed that the Palestinian prisoners from all political factions in Israeli prisons, about 4600 detainees, will launch on Tuesday a mass hunger strike for one day in solidarity with the hunger strikers Sharawna and Issawi after their health deterioration.
The Palestinian Center for Prisoners' Studies stated that the Palestinian prisoners decided to refuse their three meals on Tuesday in solidarity with Sharawna, 150 days on hunger strike, and Issawi, 120 days on hunger strike, who are threatened with death at any moment, in light of the Israeli disregard for their humanitarian demands, where they were rearrested by the occupation forces after their liberation in Wafa al-Ahrar deal.
The center called on the Palestinian people to support the prisoners' strike in order to achieve the desired results and to pressure the occupation to respond to the strikers' demands and to release them.
It also called on the Egyptian mediator to immediately intervene in order to implement the exchange agreement that guarantees the protection of the liberated prisoners.
The Palestinian Center for Prisoners' Studies stated that the Palestinian prisoners decided to refuse their three meals on Tuesday in solidarity with Sharawna, 150 days on hunger strike, and Issawi, 120 days on hunger strike, who are threatened with death at any moment, in light of the Israeli disregard for their humanitarian demands, where they were rearrested by the occupation forces after their liberation in Wafa al-Ahrar deal.
The center called on the Palestinian people to support the prisoners' strike in order to achieve the desired results and to pressure the occupation to respond to the strikers' demands and to release them.
It also called on the Egyptian mediator to immediately intervene in order to implement the exchange agreement that guarantees the protection of the liberated prisoners.
IOA bars family visits to Gaza prisoners for third consecutive time
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) barred visits of families to their detained relatives in Israeli jails for the third consecutive week.
Ayman Al-Shihabi, speaking for the Red Cross, said in a statement on Monday that the IOA informed the organization of the cancellation of the visits for this week.
He said that the Red Cross would maintain contacts with Israel to reactivate the visits.
Ayman Al-Shihabi, speaking for the Red Cross, said in a statement on Monday that the IOA informed the organization of the cancellation of the visits for this week.
He said that the Red Cross would maintain contacts with Israel to reactivate the visits.
Palestinian prisoner society appeals for closing Hawara jail
The Palestinian prisoner society said the Palestinian prisoners in Hawara jail are suffering from inhumane incarceration conditions as more detainees keep pouring in.
A lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PSS) reported that the Israeli administration of Hawara prison deliberately locks up every detainee in a humid and cold solitary cell with no ventilation.
The lawyer affirmed he visited the prisoners and saw that they were isolated and unable to do anything in a group of two persons or more, even during prayers or meals.
This incarceration situation has increased the psychological suffering of prisoners, especially the minors, the lawyer said.
He affirmed that what adds insult to injury is that the Israeli administration refuses to allow the prisoners to receive any vital needs from their families such as blankets, clothing, towels, medicines or even hygiene products, and their lives are under full control of Hawara jailers.
He added that during visit times, the prisoners are brought barefoot to see their families while their hands and legs are chained up together.
Despite hunger strike threats by some prisoners, but Hawara jailers hasten to transfer them to other jails and bring other prisoners to suffer in their place.
The prisoners told the lawyer to send their appeal to the Red Cross to intervene and save them from their misery.
Consequently, the Palestinian prisoner society called for necessarily close Hawara prison after it found out that the jail is used to torture the prisoners and unfit for the detention of human beings.
A lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PSS) reported that the Israeli administration of Hawara prison deliberately locks up every detainee in a humid and cold solitary cell with no ventilation.
The lawyer affirmed he visited the prisoners and saw that they were isolated and unable to do anything in a group of two persons or more, even during prayers or meals.
This incarceration situation has increased the psychological suffering of prisoners, especially the minors, the lawyer said.
He affirmed that what adds insult to injury is that the Israeli administration refuses to allow the prisoners to receive any vital needs from their families such as blankets, clothing, towels, medicines or even hygiene products, and their lives are under full control of Hawara jailers.
He added that during visit times, the prisoners are brought barefoot to see their families while their hands and legs are chained up together.
Despite hunger strike threats by some prisoners, but Hawara jailers hasten to transfer them to other jails and bring other prisoners to suffer in their place.
The prisoners told the lawyer to send their appeal to the Red Cross to intervene and save them from their misery.
Consequently, the Palestinian prisoner society called for necessarily close Hawara prison after it found out that the jail is used to torture the prisoners and unfit for the detention of human beings.
Israel army detains 16 across West Bank
Israeli forces arrested 16 people in the West Bank overnight Sunday, Israel's army and locals said.
Israeli forces raided Ein Beit el Mai camp in Nablus at dawn and arrested Rabee Abu Khalifa, 20, and Ahmad Abu Hmeidan, 21, locals told Ma'an.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said 16 people were arrested overnight, with nine detained in Nablus, two in Tulkarem, two in Nabi Saleh, one in Beit Khalil, one in Yatta and one in Tubas.
Israeli forces raided Ein Beit el Mai camp in Nablus at dawn and arrested Rabee Abu Khalifa, 20, and Ahmad Abu Hmeidan, 21, locals told Ma'an.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said 16 people were arrested overnight, with nine detained in Nablus, two in Tulkarem, two in Nabi Saleh, one in Beit Khalil, one in Yatta and one in Tubas.
25 nov 2012
Health condition from prisoner Qa'qour deteriorates
The Israeli occupation authorities prevented a medical committee from visiting the patient prisoner Hamza Sam Qa'qour, 32, from the city of Jenin, who is held in Megiddo prison.
Prisoner Hamza, who is sentenced to 8 years actual imprisonment, has suffered a serious deterioration in his health condition while the occupation authorities has been refusing to provide him with the necessary treatment.
The Palestinian Prisoner committee said, in a press statement on Saturday, that after he had lost his eyesight during the investigation, Qa'qour is currently suffering from inflammations in the intestines and glands, and from stomach ulcer, caused by the sanctions imposed on him after participating in the Al Karama mass hunger strike.
The Committee added that he has been no longer able to eat except for milk, while the prison administration is still refusing to offer him treatment.
"Qa'kour family has demanded the prison administration to treat him but it has also refused," said the committee, calling the Red Cross and the human rights organizations to pressure the occupation to transfer him to a specialized hospital to receive treatment.
Prisoner Hamza, who is sentenced to 8 years actual imprisonment, has suffered a serious deterioration in his health condition while the occupation authorities has been refusing to provide him with the necessary treatment.
The Palestinian Prisoner committee said, in a press statement on Saturday, that after he had lost his eyesight during the investigation, Qa'qour is currently suffering from inflammations in the intestines and glands, and from stomach ulcer, caused by the sanctions imposed on him after participating in the Al Karama mass hunger strike.
The Committee added that he has been no longer able to eat except for milk, while the prison administration is still refusing to offer him treatment.
"Qa'kour family has demanded the prison administration to treat him but it has also refused," said the committee, calling the Red Cross and the human rights organizations to pressure the occupation to transfer him to a specialized hospital to receive treatment.
IOF arrests 12 citizens, including five children
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued its daily arrest campaigns in different parts of the West Bank, where they detained since Saturday 12 citizens in al-Khalil, Jenin and Nablus, including five children.
IOF arrested four citizens in al-Kahlil provinces, Ahmed Ismail Amr, 33, and Mohammed Nassar from Dura southwest of al-Khalil, and Issa Khalil Zain from Yatta town in addition to Zia Ghalib Smamrh, Issa Ahmed Ali Smamrh, and Abdullah Issa al-Battat from Dahriya town, also they raided the house of Ayed Aladrh, a teacher at al-Ansar schools and handed him a summons to Shin Bet office in Etzion.
Regarding settler attacks, a group of Israeli settlers from Adora settlement west of al-Khalil, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, passing through Highway 35 that links between the western villages and towns with the city of al-Khalil, without causing any injuries.
Israeli forces also stormed at dawn today the town of Silat al-Harithiya west of Jenin and arrested a citizen and took him to an unknown destination after interrogating him for a period of time.
Local sources said that Israeli forces raided the town at down and arrested the young man Anad Mohammed Abu al-Khir Tahaana, 24, after storming the town and raiding his family's house and damaging its contents.
In Nablus, the Israeli occupation forces raided the village of Jma'ain south-west of the city, yesterday evening, and arrested five children in the town and took them to unknown destination.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) warned of targeting the children by IOF, and said that the occupation forces have arrested since the last aggression on Gaza about 60 children.
IOF arrested four citizens in al-Kahlil provinces, Ahmed Ismail Amr, 33, and Mohammed Nassar from Dura southwest of al-Khalil, and Issa Khalil Zain from Yatta town in addition to Zia Ghalib Smamrh, Issa Ahmed Ali Smamrh, and Abdullah Issa al-Battat from Dahriya town, also they raided the house of Ayed Aladrh, a teacher at al-Ansar schools and handed him a summons to Shin Bet office in Etzion.
Regarding settler attacks, a group of Israeli settlers from Adora settlement west of al-Khalil, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, passing through Highway 35 that links between the western villages and towns with the city of al-Khalil, without causing any injuries.
Israeli forces also stormed at dawn today the town of Silat al-Harithiya west of Jenin and arrested a citizen and took him to an unknown destination after interrogating him for a period of time.
Local sources said that Israeli forces raided the town at down and arrested the young man Anad Mohammed Abu al-Khir Tahaana, 24, after storming the town and raiding his family's house and damaging its contents.
In Nablus, the Israeli occupation forces raided the village of Jma'ain south-west of the city, yesterday evening, and arrested five children in the town and took them to unknown destination.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) warned of targeting the children by IOF, and said that the occupation forces have arrested since the last aggression on Gaza about 60 children.
Israeli forces detain 4 in south West Bank
Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in the southern West Bank early Sunday, locals told Ma'an.
Diaa Ghaleb Samamreh, and Issa Ahmad Issa Samamreh were detained in south Hebron town al-Dhahiriya, residents said.
Ismail Amro was arrested in nearby Dura, and Issa Khalil Abdullah Zein was seized in Yatta, they said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said one person had been detained in each of the towns.
Israeli forces set up checkpoints at the entrance of two Jenin towns on Sunday morning, locals said, but no detentions have been reported.
They said Yabad and Rumana, in the northwest corner of the West Bank, had been sealed. A military spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the incident.
Diaa Ghaleb Samamreh, and Issa Ahmad Issa Samamreh were detained in south Hebron town al-Dhahiriya, residents said.
Ismail Amro was arrested in nearby Dura, and Issa Khalil Abdullah Zein was seized in Yatta, they said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said one person had been detained in each of the towns.
Israeli forces set up checkpoints at the entrance of two Jenin towns on Sunday morning, locals said, but no detentions have been reported.
They said Yabad and Rumana, in the northwest corner of the West Bank, had been sealed. A military spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the incident.
'Price tag Gaza' sprayed on vandalized car in Jerusalem
Vandals slashed the tires of several cars in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shufat on Sunday morning, spraying one with the slogan 'Price tag - Gaza', Israeli police said.
Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said the force had opened an investigation.
'Price tag' is the slogan used by right-wing extremists to describe vandalism and violence against Palestinians, usually in the West Bank, in revenge for policies they disagree with.
Israel's right-wing have criticized Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu for halting a military operation in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, ending eight-days of deadly bombardments.
During the conflict, the Jerusalem tram was planted with two fake bombs, Rosenfeld said. On Sunday morning, a Palestinian citizen of Israel was arrested in connected with these incidents, and another Palestinian was detained on suspicion of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the tram last week.
Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said the force had opened an investigation.
'Price tag' is the slogan used by right-wing extremists to describe vandalism and violence against Palestinians, usually in the West Bank, in revenge for policies they disagree with.
Israel's right-wing have criticized Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu for halting a military operation in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, ending eight-days of deadly bombardments.
During the conflict, the Jerusalem tram was planted with two fake bombs, Rosenfeld said. On Sunday morning, a Palestinian citizen of Israel was arrested in connected with these incidents, and another Palestinian was detained on suspicion of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the tram last week.
IOF arrests a Palestinian, sets military checkpoint
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested at dawn on Sunday a Palestinian young man during raids carried out in the village of Silat al-Harithiya west of Jenin, and took him to an unknown destination.
Local sources told PIC correspondent that the occupation forces raided the town and arrested young man Anad Mohammed Abu al-Khir Tahaana, 24, after searching his home and damaging its contents.
Tahaana's arrest came as part of the Israeli continuing arrests in the West Bank since the Israeli aggression on Gaza where dozens of Palestinians were arrested in various districts.
Israeli occupation forces erected on Sunday a number of checkpoints, and deployed in different parts of al-Khalil in the southern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told PIC reporter that the occupation forces erected more than three checkpoints on the bypass road established on citizens’ lands east of al-Khalil.
The occupation patrols deployed extensively near al-Fawwar camp and Njihut settlement southern the city, in addition to the deploy of the soldiers at the entrance of Beit Ummar and Halhul, near "Karmi Tsur" settlement established on Palestinian land north of the district.
Local sources told PIC correspondent that the occupation forces raided the town and arrested young man Anad Mohammed Abu al-Khir Tahaana, 24, after searching his home and damaging its contents.
Tahaana's arrest came as part of the Israeli continuing arrests in the West Bank since the Israeli aggression on Gaza where dozens of Palestinians were arrested in various districts.
Israeli occupation forces erected on Sunday a number of checkpoints, and deployed in different parts of al-Khalil in the southern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told PIC reporter that the occupation forces erected more than three checkpoints on the bypass road established on citizens’ lands east of al-Khalil.
The occupation patrols deployed extensively near al-Fawwar camp and Njihut settlement southern the city, in addition to the deploy of the soldiers at the entrance of Beit Ummar and Halhul, near "Karmi Tsur" settlement established on Palestinian land north of the district.
Jordanian prisoners suffer bad conditions in Israeli jails
The Jordanian prisoners in Israeli prisons complained about their poor conditions within the occupation prisons.
The Jordanian prisoners complained, in a smuggled letter from behind bars published by "Fida" group on Saturday, their bad situation in Israeli jails and explained the repeated disappointments that they had suffered from their government's neglect of their issue, where the Jordanian government missed many opportunities to pressure the Israeli authorities to release them or improve their detention's conditions.
The prisoners criticized in their letter the appointment of a new Jordanian ambassador to Israel for free without the use of this card to pressure the Israeli entity in favor of the Jordanian prisoners and missing persons' file.
The prisoners' letter, consisting of six pages, revealed that the previous Jordanian ambassador, Daifallah Ali Fayez, had visited some Jordanian prisoners during their hunger strike, which lasted for 28 days, and he tried to convince the prisoners to end their hunger strike in order to pressure the Jordanian government an embassy.
During the visit, he had promised that there will be families' visits to the Jordanian prisoners and this has not materialized so far. The Jordanian prisoners had considered this as a plot between the prison director and Israeli intelligence with the Jordanian ambassador.
The Jordanian prisoners complained, in a smuggled letter from behind bars published by "Fida" group on Saturday, their bad situation in Israeli jails and explained the repeated disappointments that they had suffered from their government's neglect of their issue, where the Jordanian government missed many opportunities to pressure the Israeli authorities to release them or improve their detention's conditions.
The prisoners criticized in their letter the appointment of a new Jordanian ambassador to Israel for free without the use of this card to pressure the Israeli entity in favor of the Jordanian prisoners and missing persons' file.
The prisoners' letter, consisting of six pages, revealed that the previous Jordanian ambassador, Daifallah Ali Fayez, had visited some Jordanian prisoners during their hunger strike, which lasted for 28 days, and he tried to convince the prisoners to end their hunger strike in order to pressure the Jordanian government an embassy.
During the visit, he had promised that there will be families' visits to the Jordanian prisoners and this has not materialized so far. The Jordanian prisoners had considered this as a plot between the prison director and Israeli intelligence with the Jordanian ambassador.
Mona Mansour: the MPs arrest in West Bank expresses the Israeli failure in Gaza
MP Mona Mansour considered the Israeli arrest campaign against MPs and leaders affiliated to the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" in the occupied West Bank, as an Israeli attempt to abort the Palestinian efforts to achieve national unity and to end the internal division.
Mansour said "the main reason behind the arrest of Hamas MPs is their active role and efforts in order to end the internal division, as the occupation cannot accept to see the Palestinian people united."
She said, in statements to Quds press, that the occupation has launched a cold war against the Palestinian MPs and leaders through the arrest campaign after its military failure in face of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
"The head of the Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu, wants to improve his image after the aggression on the Gaza Strip through the arrest of the Palestinian MPs, after failing to achieve that through aggression and war," she added.
It is noted that the occupation army began an arrest campaign against Hamas supporters and leaders and MPs in the occupied West Bank since last Thursday, where more than a hundred Palestinians, including six MPs, were arrested.
For his part, minister of detainees and ex-detainees, Dr. Atallah Abu Sebah, stated that the Israeli arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank came to undermine the joy that swept West Bank cities celebrating victory of the resistance, and an Israeli retaliation after failing to achieve its goals during the recent aggression.
The Israeli occupation forces carried out arrest and raid campaigns in various cities of the West Bank, where they arrested more than 200 citizens and 6 MPs, in addition to transferring more than 30 people to administrative detention, he said in written press statement.
The minister stressed that the re-arrest of Palestinian MPs is a violation to all international laws and norms, and a flagrant violation of parliamentary immunity enjoyed by the Legislative Council members, where 14 members of the Legislative Council are still detained in the Israeli prisons, topped by MP Ahmad Saadat and MP Marwan Barghouti.
Abu Sebah warned of Israeli escalation of violations against the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and imposing more sanctions on them in light of the Israeli reprisal policy.
He stressed on the need to unite all national efforts to focus on the issue of the prisoners in the next stage, and to take practical steps for their release especially the hunger strikers who are neglected by the whole world and the occupation refuses to respond to their legitimate demands.
Meanwhile, well-informed Palestinian sources revealed that the Ramallah Authority was informed in advance of the Israeli arrest campaign against a number of Palestinian MPs.
The sources told Quds press that one of Fatah leaders warned the head of the Legislative Council and Hamas' MPs that an Israeli mass arrest campaign will be launched against them after signing the truce and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the family of a detained MP confirmed that a prominent Palestinian figure warned the concerned MP that he will be arrested and asked him to leave his house but he refused where he was arrested the same night by the occupation forces after raiding his house.
One of Change and Reform bloc' MPs has reported that the Arab diplomatic sources advised a number of MPs not to move through Israeli checkpoints to avoid being arrested by the occupation forces, especially after the Israeli defeat in its aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation forces started since last Thursday a campaign of arrests against dozens of Hamas leaders and supporters, including six MPs in the Palestinian Legislative Council, including the Secretary of the Council in Ramallah, Mahmoud al-Ramahi.
Mansour said "the main reason behind the arrest of Hamas MPs is their active role and efforts in order to end the internal division, as the occupation cannot accept to see the Palestinian people united."
She said, in statements to Quds press, that the occupation has launched a cold war against the Palestinian MPs and leaders through the arrest campaign after its military failure in face of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
"The head of the Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu, wants to improve his image after the aggression on the Gaza Strip through the arrest of the Palestinian MPs, after failing to achieve that through aggression and war," she added.
It is noted that the occupation army began an arrest campaign against Hamas supporters and leaders and MPs in the occupied West Bank since last Thursday, where more than a hundred Palestinians, including six MPs, were arrested.
For his part, minister of detainees and ex-detainees, Dr. Atallah Abu Sebah, stated that the Israeli arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank came to undermine the joy that swept West Bank cities celebrating victory of the resistance, and an Israeli retaliation after failing to achieve its goals during the recent aggression.
The Israeli occupation forces carried out arrest and raid campaigns in various cities of the West Bank, where they arrested more than 200 citizens and 6 MPs, in addition to transferring more than 30 people to administrative detention, he said in written press statement.
The minister stressed that the re-arrest of Palestinian MPs is a violation to all international laws and norms, and a flagrant violation of parliamentary immunity enjoyed by the Legislative Council members, where 14 members of the Legislative Council are still detained in the Israeli prisons, topped by MP Ahmad Saadat and MP Marwan Barghouti.
Abu Sebah warned of Israeli escalation of violations against the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and imposing more sanctions on them in light of the Israeli reprisal policy.
He stressed on the need to unite all national efforts to focus on the issue of the prisoners in the next stage, and to take practical steps for their release especially the hunger strikers who are neglected by the whole world and the occupation refuses to respond to their legitimate demands.
Meanwhile, well-informed Palestinian sources revealed that the Ramallah Authority was informed in advance of the Israeli arrest campaign against a number of Palestinian MPs.
The sources told Quds press that one of Fatah leaders warned the head of the Legislative Council and Hamas' MPs that an Israeli mass arrest campaign will be launched against them after signing the truce and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the family of a detained MP confirmed that a prominent Palestinian figure warned the concerned MP that he will be arrested and asked him to leave his house but he refused where he was arrested the same night by the occupation forces after raiding his house.
One of Change and Reform bloc' MPs has reported that the Arab diplomatic sources advised a number of MPs not to move through Israeli checkpoints to avoid being arrested by the occupation forces, especially after the Israeli defeat in its aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation forces started since last Thursday a campaign of arrests against dozens of Hamas leaders and supporters, including six MPs in the Palestinian Legislative Council, including the Secretary of the Council in Ramallah, Mahmoud al-Ramahi.
24 nov 2012
European Network condemns the re-arrest of Palestinian MPs
Mahmoud al-Ramahi
The European Network for the Defense of the Palestinian prisoners' rights (UFree) strongly condemned the re-arrest of MPs by the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank.
The IOF troops carried out at dawn Friday a campaign of mass arrests in the West Bank that included five Palestinian MPs.
UFree revealed that the campaign of arrests carried out by the occupation authorities in the occupied West Bank has been escalating day by day.
It pointed out that during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip, IOF soldiers arrested about 190 citizens in different parts of the West Bank, and following the announcement of the halt of aggression, the Israeli forces arrested 55 citizens, including university professors, school teachers, university students and liberated prisoners.
The head of the European Network, Mohammed Hamdan, expressed his fear of the growing detention campaigns in the coming days, especially after the IOF failure to achieve its objectives during the last aggression on the Strip.
Hamdan explained that the re-arrest of the MPs as well as the growing and ongoing campaigns of arrests in the West Bank after the cessation of the aggression against Gaza, prove the failure and the political confusion the occupation is going through.
He urged the European Network, the European Parliament, and all European parliamentarians to intervene and pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately release the kidnapped MPs.
He also called on the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the human rights recurrent and serious abuses committed by Israel.
For his part, Rafat Nasif, a member of the political leadership of Hamas movement, asserted that these arrests will not intimidate the movement and will not stop the resistance.
He stressed in a press statement that the real solidarity and unity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip require that the PA in the West Bank halts the political arrests and summonses and immediately releases all the political detainees from its jails.
The European Network for the Defense of the Palestinian prisoners' rights (UFree) strongly condemned the re-arrest of MPs by the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank.
The IOF troops carried out at dawn Friday a campaign of mass arrests in the West Bank that included five Palestinian MPs.
UFree revealed that the campaign of arrests carried out by the occupation authorities in the occupied West Bank has been escalating day by day.
It pointed out that during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip, IOF soldiers arrested about 190 citizens in different parts of the West Bank, and following the announcement of the halt of aggression, the Israeli forces arrested 55 citizens, including university professors, school teachers, university students and liberated prisoners.
The head of the European Network, Mohammed Hamdan, expressed his fear of the growing detention campaigns in the coming days, especially after the IOF failure to achieve its objectives during the last aggression on the Strip.
Hamdan explained that the re-arrest of the MPs as well as the growing and ongoing campaigns of arrests in the West Bank after the cessation of the aggression against Gaza, prove the failure and the political confusion the occupation is going through.
He urged the European Network, the European Parliament, and all European parliamentarians to intervene and pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately release the kidnapped MPs.
He also called on the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the human rights recurrent and serious abuses committed by Israel.
For his part, Rafat Nasif, a member of the political leadership of Hamas movement, asserted that these arrests will not intimidate the movement and will not stop the resistance.
He stressed in a press statement that the real solidarity and unity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip require that the PA in the West Bank halts the political arrests and summonses and immediately releases all the political detainees from its jails.
Israeli forces detain Hamas lawmaker in Nablus
Yasser Mansour
Israeli forces detained a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian lawmaker early Saturday after ransacking his home in Nablus in the northern West Bank, locals said.
Military vehicles raided the western part of Nablus before ransacking home of 46-year-old Yasser Mansour and detaining him. Mansour is a member of the inactive Palestinian Legislative Council, representing Hamas.
Israeli forces started a detention campaign against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the West Bank right after the military offensive against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip during which an Israeli bus was bombed.
On Friday Israeli forces detained at least five members of the Palestinian parliament in the West Bank who are affiliated to Hamas, among 28 Palestinians detained in raids.
In Ramallah, soldiers detained the secretary-general of the Palestinian Legislative Council Mahmoud al-Ramahi.
MP Basem Zairir was detained in Samua, south of Hebron, along with other leaders in the Change and Reform party, which is affiliated to Hamas, Nidal Oref Zairi and Jamal Yusuf Musa Abu Jaydal.
In Tulkarem, forces detained two lawmakers, Fathi Qarawi and Riyad Radid. Another MP, Emad Nofal, was seized in Qalqiliya.
A prominent Hamas figure was also detained in Bethlehem, 50-year-old Mustafa Issa Musa al-Aruj.
Prisoners rights group Addameer said on Thursday it had documented more than 200 detentions by Israel in the West Bank since the bombardment of Gaza started, including scores at protests against the war.
In one case, Addameer said, a man had been knocked unconscious, and was still detained by forces.
"The arbitrary arrests of Palestinian youth is unacceptable ... We demand the immediate release of these prisoners of conscience, and an end to this practice," Addameer said.
Israeli forces detained a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian lawmaker early Saturday after ransacking his home in Nablus in the northern West Bank, locals said.
Military vehicles raided the western part of Nablus before ransacking home of 46-year-old Yasser Mansour and detaining him. Mansour is a member of the inactive Palestinian Legislative Council, representing Hamas.
Israeli forces started a detention campaign against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the West Bank right after the military offensive against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip during which an Israeli bus was bombed.
On Friday Israeli forces detained at least five members of the Palestinian parliament in the West Bank who are affiliated to Hamas, among 28 Palestinians detained in raids.
In Ramallah, soldiers detained the secretary-general of the Palestinian Legislative Council Mahmoud al-Ramahi.
MP Basem Zairir was detained in Samua, south of Hebron, along with other leaders in the Change and Reform party, which is affiliated to Hamas, Nidal Oref Zairi and Jamal Yusuf Musa Abu Jaydal.
In Tulkarem, forces detained two lawmakers, Fathi Qarawi and Riyad Radid. Another MP, Emad Nofal, was seized in Qalqiliya.
A prominent Hamas figure was also detained in Bethlehem, 50-year-old Mustafa Issa Musa al-Aruj.
Prisoners rights group Addameer said on Thursday it had documented more than 200 detentions by Israel in the West Bank since the bombardment of Gaza started, including scores at protests against the war.
In one case, Addameer said, a man had been knocked unconscious, and was still detained by forces.
"The arbitrary arrests of Palestinian youth is unacceptable ... We demand the immediate release of these prisoners of conscience, and an end to this practice," Addameer said.
23 nov 2012
Occupation arrests 100 Palestinians in West Bank including 5 MPs
Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn Friday five MPs for Hamas movement as well as about thirty Palestinian citizens in the West Bank.
Sources in the Office of the MPs for the parliamentary "Change and Reform" bloc in the West Bank confirmed that Israeli troops arrested five MPs after raiding their houses at night and searching them.
The MPs were then taken to unknown destinations, the sources added.
The Israeli occupation forces have arrested since dawn Thursday, until this morning, over one hundred supporters and cadres of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, as a response to the West Bank's support to and solidarity with the Gaza Strip during the recent aggression.
For its part, Hamas asserted that the fierce arrest campaign launched in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli occupation reflects the extent of frustration and defeat experienced by the occupation army and its leaders.
The movement said in a press statement issued by its media office on Friday: "waging such a fierce campaign of arrests by the Israeli occupation coinciding with the victory achieved by the resistance in the Gaza Strip proves the frustration and the defeat of the occupation army and its leaders."
It also stated that "the occupation policy of arrests will only increase our people's steadfastness and encourage Palestinians to confront the occupation projects and criminal plans, and will not discourage our people's representatives and icons from continuing their role in maintaining the constants and defending the rights and sanctities."
Hamas has demanded Fatah movement and the Palestinian Authority and its security services to halt all forms of security coordination and to stop, once and for all, persecuting, summoning and arresting the Palestinians for their political affiliation. It also called for enhancing the popular cohesion.
The occupation forces had carried out campaign of mass arrests against dozens of MPs, leaders and supporters of Hamas movement in the occupied West Bank, in addition to dozens of members Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank's cities and villages.
Sources in the Office of the MPs for the parliamentary "Change and Reform" bloc in the West Bank confirmed that Israeli troops arrested five MPs after raiding their houses at night and searching them.
The MPs were then taken to unknown destinations, the sources added.
The Israeli occupation forces have arrested since dawn Thursday, until this morning, over one hundred supporters and cadres of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, as a response to the West Bank's support to and solidarity with the Gaza Strip during the recent aggression.
For its part, Hamas asserted that the fierce arrest campaign launched in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli occupation reflects the extent of frustration and defeat experienced by the occupation army and its leaders.
The movement said in a press statement issued by its media office on Friday: "waging such a fierce campaign of arrests by the Israeli occupation coinciding with the victory achieved by the resistance in the Gaza Strip proves the frustration and the defeat of the occupation army and its leaders."
It also stated that "the occupation policy of arrests will only increase our people's steadfastness and encourage Palestinians to confront the occupation projects and criminal plans, and will not discourage our people's representatives and icons from continuing their role in maintaining the constants and defending the rights and sanctities."
Hamas has demanded Fatah movement and the Palestinian Authority and its security services to halt all forms of security coordination and to stop, once and for all, persecuting, summoning and arresting the Palestinians for their political affiliation. It also called for enhancing the popular cohesion.
The occupation forces had carried out campaign of mass arrests against dozens of MPs, leaders and supporters of Hamas movement in the occupied West Bank, in addition to dozens of members Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank's cities and villages.
