9 apr 2013
Israel Arrests Ashkelon Prisoners’ Parents
Israeli soldiers Tuesday arrested two elderly returning from visiting their sons in Ashkelon prison, said an official source.
Prisoners’ Minister Issa Qaraqi told WAFA that Israeli forces held a bus carrying prisoners’ families on their way back from Ashkelon prison for four hours and searched them before arresting two.
Qaraqi condemned these practices which aim, as he claims, to harass Palestinian prisoners and their families.
IOF kidnap mothers of two prisoners after visit
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon mothers of two Palestinian prisoners after they finished visiting their sons in Ashkelon jail. The ministry of prisoners said that after the families were about to leave the prison facility, Israeli soldiers stopped the bus they were boarding and detained them from one to five o'clock in the evening.
During that time, the jailers searched the women on the bus before kidnapping the mothers of prisoners Yakoub Al-Haj and Ahmed Al-Jalazoun and taking them to an unknown place.
In a separate incident, the IOF invaded at dawn Wednesday Jenin city and the towns of Arka, Jalboun and Beit Qad and patrolled their streets without reported raids on homes.
Local sources said that the IOF stormed Zahra neighborhood and Jaberiyat area in Jenin as well as the towns of Jalboun and Beit Qad to the east, and set up in the morning a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Jenin.
Yesterday evening, the IOF also invaded Jalboun town and questioned Palestinian citizens inside a café.
They also stormed last night Arka town to the west of Jenin and handed a young man named Sa'eed Helmi a summons for interrogation from an Israeli intelligence agency.
Prisoners’ Minister Issa Qaraqi told WAFA that Israeli forces held a bus carrying prisoners’ families on their way back from Ashkelon prison for four hours and searched them before arresting two.
Qaraqi condemned these practices which aim, as he claims, to harass Palestinian prisoners and their families.
IOF kidnap mothers of two prisoners after visit
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon mothers of two Palestinian prisoners after they finished visiting their sons in Ashkelon jail. The ministry of prisoners said that after the families were about to leave the prison facility, Israeli soldiers stopped the bus they were boarding and detained them from one to five o'clock in the evening.
During that time, the jailers searched the women on the bus before kidnapping the mothers of prisoners Yakoub Al-Haj and Ahmed Al-Jalazoun and taking them to an unknown place.
In a separate incident, the IOF invaded at dawn Wednesday Jenin city and the towns of Arka, Jalboun and Beit Qad and patrolled their streets without reported raids on homes.
Local sources said that the IOF stormed Zahra neighborhood and Jaberiyat area in Jenin as well as the towns of Jalboun and Beit Qad to the east, and set up in the morning a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Jenin.
Yesterday evening, the IOF also invaded Jalboun town and questioned Palestinian citizens inside a café.
They also stormed last night Arka town to the west of Jenin and handed a young man named Sa'eed Helmi a summons for interrogation from an Israeli intelligence agency.
Mansour Muqida, paraplegic in Israeli jail, on hunger strike for 8th day
Paraplegic prisoner Mansour Muqida said he is determined to continue the hunger strike he started eight days ago in protest at the medical neglect policy pursued by the Israeli regime against the jailed patients in the infirmary of the Ramla prison.
Muqida told the lawyer of the Palestinian prisoner society who visited the Ramla prison on Tuesday that he is isolated in the infirmary and his health condition is getting unbearable.
The lawyer, in turn, said that the health status of Muqida has become extremely serious, especially since he is a paraplegic.
The prisoners in Israeli jails name Muqida as "the living martyr" after his exposure to a bullet injury in his spine when he was arrested in 2002.
The incident rendered him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair with catheters and bags for body waste attached to his artificial belly.
Muqida told the lawyer of the Palestinian prisoner society who visited the Ramla prison on Tuesday that he is isolated in the infirmary and his health condition is getting unbearable.
The lawyer, in turn, said that the health status of Muqida has become extremely serious, especially since he is a paraplegic.
The prisoners in Israeli jails name Muqida as "the living martyr" after his exposure to a bullet injury in his spine when he was arrested in 2002.
The incident rendered him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair with catheters and bags for body waste attached to his artificial belly.
Formation of European medical team to examine the sick prisoners
Palestinian doctors in Europe announced their intention to form a European medical team to examine the Palestinian patient prisoners and provide them with necessary treatment.
This came in a statement issued by Palestinian Doctors in Europe Association, which warned that the Israeli prison administration’s abuse of Palestinian prisoners is the product of a systematic policy aimed at breaking their will.
The Association appealed to "the people of conscience, the human rights organizations and the international medical institutions, to immediately intervene for the release of Palestinian sick prisoners in the Israeli occupation jails."
Regarding the death of the Palestinian prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiya, the Palestinian doctors called on the World Health Organization and the International Red Cross to send a fact-finding mission on the deterioration of the health condition of many sick prisoners and the Israeli flagrant violations against them.
They described the death of Abu Hamdiya in custody as "one of the most heinous crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people," and charged that the occupation authorities were depriving Abu Hamdiya from the necessary medication and treatment.
Palestinian Doctors in Europe Association called for allowing specialized medical teams inside the jails in order to provide appropriate treatment for the patients.
It has also announced that it will form a European medical team to provide the necessary treatment for the Palestinian patients held in the occupation detention centers.
The doctors urged the international community to force the occupation to respect the international treaties and conventions related to the captives' issues, stressing their support for prisoners with all available legitimate means.
This came in a statement issued by Palestinian Doctors in Europe Association, which warned that the Israeli prison administration’s abuse of Palestinian prisoners is the product of a systematic policy aimed at breaking their will.
The Association appealed to "the people of conscience, the human rights organizations and the international medical institutions, to immediately intervene for the release of Palestinian sick prisoners in the Israeli occupation jails."
Regarding the death of the Palestinian prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiya, the Palestinian doctors called on the World Health Organization and the International Red Cross to send a fact-finding mission on the deterioration of the health condition of many sick prisoners and the Israeli flagrant violations against them.
They described the death of Abu Hamdiya in custody as "one of the most heinous crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people," and charged that the occupation authorities were depriving Abu Hamdiya from the necessary medication and treatment.
Palestinian Doctors in Europe Association called for allowing specialized medical teams inside the jails in order to provide appropriate treatment for the patients.
It has also announced that it will form a European medical team to provide the necessary treatment for the Palestinian patients held in the occupation detention centers.
The doctors urged the international community to force the occupation to respect the international treaties and conventions related to the captives' issues, stressing their support for prisoners with all available legitimate means.
Israeli Army Arrests Nine People in West Bank
The Israeli army arrested nine Palestinians from the north and south of the West Bank, according to security sources. They said the army arrested six people from the Jenin area in the north of the West Bank, including two brothers in their 20s arrested at Jenin refugee camp during an army raid of the camp.
Three others were arrested from various Jenin neighborhoods and the sixth was arrested at the village of Burqin, near Jenin.
In the south of the West Bank, the army arrested one person from the city of Hebron and another from Dahriyeh, south of Hebron. A third, a student at University of Hebron, was arrested at his home in an area east of the city.
Three others were arrested from various Jenin neighborhoods and the sixth was arrested at the village of Burqin, near Jenin.
In the south of the West Bank, the army arrested one person from the city of Hebron and another from Dahriyeh, south of Hebron. A third, a student at University of Hebron, was arrested at his home in an area east of the city.
Issawi decides to boycott Israeli military courts
The hunger striker Samer Issawi, 260 days on hunger strike, declared that he will boycott the Israeli military courts and he will refuse to appear before them, Palestinian human rights sources revealed.
Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs said that Ofer military court set the 9th of May to hold Samer's next hearing, but the hunger striker declared his refusal to appear before this court for being "illegal and illegitimate".
My appearance before this court means a recognition to its legitimacy and laws and this is absolutely unacceptable, the ministry quoted Samer as saying.
He pointed to the Israeli pressures to force him to accept his deportation to Gaza or outside the Palestinian territories following his release, stressing his determination to continue the strike until his release to his hometown of Jerusalem.
The ministry warned against the serious health status of the hunger striker, noting that he is at risk of sudden death at any moment.
European efforts underway to have hunger striker Issawi released
The European commission said it started efforts to have Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, on hunger strike for about 261 days, released from an Israeli jail.
The commission's representative for political affairs Joris Van Winkel stated that the European Union commission was waiting for a response from the Israeli side within the coming few hours regarding the release of Issawi.
Winkel added that there were recent contacts in this regard between the European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and the Israeli side.
Winkel made his remarks during a sit-in held in solidarity with hunger striker Issawi on Monday outside the European commission's headquarters in Jerusalem.
Night march in solidarity with prisoners in Jenin
Palestinian citizens organized a night march in Jenin in solidarity with the hunger striker Samer al-Issawi and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The marchers condemned the “execution” of the prisoners Maysara Abu Hamdiya and Arafat Jaradat in custody.
The protesters raised pictures of the martyrs Abu Hamdiya and Jaradat, and captive al-Issawi, in addition to Palestinian flags, and banners and slogans in support of prisoners.
They chanted slogans condemning the Israeli policy against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the international silence over the Israeli crimes against those prisoners.
The protestors called for more solidarity events in support of the prisoners' issue.
Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs said that Ofer military court set the 9th of May to hold Samer's next hearing, but the hunger striker declared his refusal to appear before this court for being "illegal and illegitimate".
My appearance before this court means a recognition to its legitimacy and laws and this is absolutely unacceptable, the ministry quoted Samer as saying.
He pointed to the Israeli pressures to force him to accept his deportation to Gaza or outside the Palestinian territories following his release, stressing his determination to continue the strike until his release to his hometown of Jerusalem.
The ministry warned against the serious health status of the hunger striker, noting that he is at risk of sudden death at any moment.
European efforts underway to have hunger striker Issawi released
The European commission said it started efforts to have Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, on hunger strike for about 261 days, released from an Israeli jail.
The commission's representative for political affairs Joris Van Winkel stated that the European Union commission was waiting for a response from the Israeli side within the coming few hours regarding the release of Issawi.
Winkel added that there were recent contacts in this regard between the European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and the Israeli side.
Winkel made his remarks during a sit-in held in solidarity with hunger striker Issawi on Monday outside the European commission's headquarters in Jerusalem.
Night march in solidarity with prisoners in Jenin
Palestinian citizens organized a night march in Jenin in solidarity with the hunger striker Samer al-Issawi and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The marchers condemned the “execution” of the prisoners Maysara Abu Hamdiya and Arafat Jaradat in custody.
The protesters raised pictures of the martyrs Abu Hamdiya and Jaradat, and captive al-Issawi, in addition to Palestinian flags, and banners and slogans in support of prisoners.
They chanted slogans condemning the Israeli policy against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the international silence over the Israeli crimes against those prisoners.
The protestors called for more solidarity events in support of the prisoners' issue.
IOF soldiers round up five Palestinians including two brothers
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rounded up five Palestinians, including two brothers, in Jenin and Al-Khalil at dawn Tuesday.
Local sources said that four of the detainees were taken from Jenin refugee camp, Burqin village, and Jenin city.
They said that two brothers were taken from the refugee camp while a teenager was taken from the village, noting that the houses of all detainees were searched in the operation.
Locals in Muraq village, west of Al-Khalil, said that IOF soldiers arrested a university student after breaking into his family home also at dawn Tuesday.
Local sources said that four of the detainees were taken from Jenin refugee camp, Burqin village, and Jenin city.
They said that two brothers were taken from the refugee camp while a teenager was taken from the village, noting that the houses of all detainees were searched in the operation.
Locals in Muraq village, west of Al-Khalil, said that IOF soldiers arrested a university student after breaking into his family home also at dawn Tuesday.
IOF soldiers arrest wounded man in Nablus village
Fadi Abu Asal
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian man in Madma village, south of Nablus, after shooting him on Monday night.
Eyewitnesses said that they heard the sound of gunfire near the Madma bridge that links between Madma and Burin villages and some of them tried to approach a man who was wounded in the shooting.
They said that the soldiers prevented them from approaching then arrested the man, who was not identified.
The citizens quoted the soldiers as saying that the man was trying to threw a firebomb at an IOF patrol and that they shot him in response and hit him in his foot.
They said that another man was in the company of the wounded person but disappeared after the incident and they could not find him.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian man in Madma village, south of Nablus, after shooting him on Monday night.
Eyewitnesses said that they heard the sound of gunfire near the Madma bridge that links between Madma and Burin villages and some of them tried to approach a man who was wounded in the shooting.
They said that the soldiers prevented them from approaching then arrested the man, who was not identified.
The citizens quoted the soldiers as saying that the man was trying to threw a firebomb at an IOF patrol and that they shot him in response and hit him in his foot.
They said that another man was in the company of the wounded person but disappeared after the incident and they could not find him.
Israeli court refuses to release disabled prisoner
Israel's Salem military court in Jenin refused on Monday to release prisoner Wasim Marouf, who suffers from several physical disabilities and health problems, and decided to extend his detention for further interrogation.
An informed source said the court extended the detention of Marouf for five days pending further investigation, and set April 11 a date for its next hearing.
The prisoner is an invalid unable to talk and suffering from injuries in his head and one of his legs in addition to a neurological disease and kidney inflammation. He was living in an orphanage house in Tulkarem when he was taken prisoner.
40 other prisoners with serious disabilities are being held in Israeli jails under bad incarceration conditions.
In another incident, an Israeli military court in the West Bank sentenced a Palestinian citizen named Ali Jabbar to 30 years in jail.
The Hebrew radio stated that Jabbar was charged with involvement in a resistance attack that happened 11 years ago in Netanya and killed about 30 Israelis.
An informed source said the court extended the detention of Marouf for five days pending further investigation, and set April 11 a date for its next hearing.
The prisoner is an invalid unable to talk and suffering from injuries in his head and one of his legs in addition to a neurological disease and kidney inflammation. He was living in an orphanage house in Tulkarem when he was taken prisoner.
40 other prisoners with serious disabilities are being held in Israeli jails under bad incarceration conditions.
In another incident, an Israeli military court in the West Bank sentenced a Palestinian citizen named Ali Jabbar to 30 years in jail.
The Hebrew radio stated that Jabbar was charged with involvement in a resistance attack that happened 11 years ago in Netanya and killed about 30 Israelis.
Palestinian ex-detainees tell their prison agonies in English-written book
The center for political and development studies in Gaza intends to release on April 17 an English-written book titled the "Prisoners' Diaries" that tells some prison experiences of Palestinian ex-detainees.
The full title of the book is the "Prisoners’ Diaries: Palestinian Voices from the Israeli Gulag", and it is a compilation of first-hand experiences of 22 Palestinian prisoners released from prison by the Israeli occupation state as part of the prisoner swap deal in October 2011.
These ex-detainees were interviewed by journalists, and their accounts and diaries were compiled into a book by Dr. Norma Hashim from Malaysia.
The autobiographical texts in this book offer a rare opportunity to comprehend the inhumane indignities endured by tens of thousands of Palestinian prisoners throughout the decades of the long painful occupation of Palestine.
The book was a collaborative effort. The introduction was written by Ramzy Baroud, while Joe Catron and Mark Gibson edited the texts after they were translated into English by Yousef Al-Jamal and Raed Qadoura at the center for political and development studies.
Richard Falk, the UN special rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territories, Hana'a Shalabi, a former hunger striker in an Israeli jail, and Mahathir Mohamed, the former Malaysian premier, have written good reviews in the book that is worth reading fully.
Foreign Ministry calls on international community to work for prisoners' release
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza has sent diplomatic letters to a number of Arab foreign ministers and secretaries of international organizations, mainly the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League, concerning the issue of Palestinian prisoners.
The letters mainly addressed the issue of the prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiya who died of cancer in Israeli custody due to the Israeli deliberate medical negligence, where the martyr was even denied to spend his final hours with his family and friends.
The ministry warned against the fate of the sick prisoners and hunger strikers in Israeli jails especially after the martyrdom of Abu Hamdiya.
The ministry called on all international organizations, foreign ministers of Arab and Muslim countries, the international community, and the free people of the world, to intervene immediately in order to put an end to the Israeli serious and continued violations against the Palestinian prisoners.
The ministry appealed to all Arab and Islamic countries to adopt the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and to raise their issue at international forums in order to improve their living and heath conditions, and to pressure the occupation to release the hunger strikers.
The full title of the book is the "Prisoners’ Diaries: Palestinian Voices from the Israeli Gulag", and it is a compilation of first-hand experiences of 22 Palestinian prisoners released from prison by the Israeli occupation state as part of the prisoner swap deal in October 2011.
These ex-detainees were interviewed by journalists, and their accounts and diaries were compiled into a book by Dr. Norma Hashim from Malaysia.
The autobiographical texts in this book offer a rare opportunity to comprehend the inhumane indignities endured by tens of thousands of Palestinian prisoners throughout the decades of the long painful occupation of Palestine.
The book was a collaborative effort. The introduction was written by Ramzy Baroud, while Joe Catron and Mark Gibson edited the texts after they were translated into English by Yousef Al-Jamal and Raed Qadoura at the center for political and development studies.
Richard Falk, the UN special rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territories, Hana'a Shalabi, a former hunger striker in an Israeli jail, and Mahathir Mohamed, the former Malaysian premier, have written good reviews in the book that is worth reading fully.
Foreign Ministry calls on international community to work for prisoners' release
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza has sent diplomatic letters to a number of Arab foreign ministers and secretaries of international organizations, mainly the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League, concerning the issue of Palestinian prisoners.
The letters mainly addressed the issue of the prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiya who died of cancer in Israeli custody due to the Israeli deliberate medical negligence, where the martyr was even denied to spend his final hours with his family and friends.
The ministry warned against the fate of the sick prisoners and hunger strikers in Israeli jails especially after the martyrdom of Abu Hamdiya.
The ministry called on all international organizations, foreign ministers of Arab and Muslim countries, the international community, and the free people of the world, to intervene immediately in order to put an end to the Israeli serious and continued violations against the Palestinian prisoners.
The ministry appealed to all Arab and Islamic countries to adopt the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and to raise their issue at international forums in order to improve their living and heath conditions, and to pressure the occupation to release the hunger strikers.
8 apr 2013
2 Palestinians enter 11th year in Israeli jail
Two Palestinians from Nablus have entered their 11th year in Israeli detention, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said Monday.
Wael Tablat was detained on March 30, 2003, and sentenced to life for affiliation to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Orabi Dogan was detained on April 1, 2003, and sentenced to 18 years for affiliation to Hamas, the PPS said in a statement.
Raed Amer, head of the PPS office in Nablus, said more than 90 Palestinians from the city were serving life terms in Israeli jails.
Wael Tablat was detained on March 30, 2003, and sentenced to life for affiliation to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Orabi Dogan was detained on April 1, 2003, and sentenced to 18 years for affiliation to Hamas, the PPS said in a statement.
Raed Amer, head of the PPS office in Nablus, said more than 90 Palestinians from the city were serving life terms in Israeli jails.
Israel releases Gaza prisoner after 27 years
Israel on Monday released a prisoner from the Gaza Strip after detaining him for 27 years.
Ibrahim Baroud returned to Gaza early Monday morning, before Israel closed the Erez crossing in response to rocket fire.
Baroud was freed after completing his sentence. He was detained in 1986 for affiliation to Islamic Jihad and spent seven years in solitary confinement.
Ibrahim Baroud returned to Gaza early Monday morning, before Israel closed the Erez crossing in response to rocket fire.
Baroud was freed after completing his sentence. He was detained in 1986 for affiliation to Islamic Jihad and spent seven years in solitary confinement.
Israeli police arrest 19 workers after almost deadly chase
Israeli police patrols chased a bus carrying Palestinian workers from the West Bank and arrested 19 of them after the bus crashed into a shop on Monday morning. Eyewitnesses said that the bus crashed into a shop selling furniture in Kufr Qassem in the Triangle area in northern Palestine occupied in 1948, adding the driver lost control of the bus.
They said that four workers managed to escape but the policemen arrested 19 others, adding that the workers miraculously emerged unharmed from the bus.
They said that the chase posed dangers on schoolchildren in the Arab village at a time when they were heading to their schools.
Many West Bankers take the risk of entering 1948 occupied Palestine without permit to look for work in light of the scarcity of work opportunities in their hometowns and villages.
They said that four workers managed to escape but the policemen arrested 19 others, adding that the workers miraculously emerged unharmed from the bus.
They said that the chase posed dangers on schoolchildren in the Arab village at a time when they were heading to their schools.
Many West Bankers take the risk of entering 1948 occupied Palestine without permit to look for work in light of the scarcity of work opportunities in their hometowns and villages.
Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike facing heart slowdown; possible brain damage
Samer al-Essawy, who has been on hunger strike over 250 days, may die at any moment, according to his doctors.
After examining Essawy on Sunday, the doctors reported that his heart rate has slowed to 30 beats per minute, much lower than average, and he faces the distinct possibility of suffering permanent brain damage.
His sister, Shireen al-Essawy, who is also his lawyer, reported last month that the Israeli government tried to negotiate a deal in which her brother would be sent into exile in the Gaza Strip, but he refused the deal.
In a statement, she said, “Same will not accept to be sent into exile especially while Israeli is escalating its violations that target the very existence of the Palestinians in their homes and lands.”
“This is the determination that Samer carries, from the first day of his strike”, she said, “It is either freedom and liberation, or martyrdom”.
After Sunday’s examination by doctors, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society held a press conference in which they condemned the Israeli practice of administrative detention, in which Palestinians are held without charges for extended periods of up to ten years in some cases.
This practice is what led Essawy and many others to engage in long-term hunger strikes to call on Israel to release the political prisoners it is currently holding without charge.
Jawad Boulos, an attorney with the Palestinian Prisoners Society, told reporters Sunday that the prison administration has engaged in unfair and illegal practices against Essawy and other prisoners, including forcing Issawi to wear leg cuffs between 8 am and 8 pm, and preventing him from sitting on a chair in his prison hospital room.
Essawy’s hunger strike is the longest among the Palestinian prisoners, and among the longest ever engaged in worldwide. He has repeatedly stated that he is willing to die for the cause of equal rights for the Palestinian people, and according to his doctors, he will likely die soon.
He has refused any vitamin supplements, and is currently only taking water with some sugar.
5 Palestinian Prisoners remain on hunger strike, the longest of which is Samer al-Essawy who has been on strike since August 1 2012.
After examining Essawy on Sunday, the doctors reported that his heart rate has slowed to 30 beats per minute, much lower than average, and he faces the distinct possibility of suffering permanent brain damage.
His sister, Shireen al-Essawy, who is also his lawyer, reported last month that the Israeli government tried to negotiate a deal in which her brother would be sent into exile in the Gaza Strip, but he refused the deal.
In a statement, she said, “Same will not accept to be sent into exile especially while Israeli is escalating its violations that target the very existence of the Palestinians in their homes and lands.”
“This is the determination that Samer carries, from the first day of his strike”, she said, “It is either freedom and liberation, or martyrdom”.
After Sunday’s examination by doctors, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society held a press conference in which they condemned the Israeli practice of administrative detention, in which Palestinians are held without charges for extended periods of up to ten years in some cases.
This practice is what led Essawy and many others to engage in long-term hunger strikes to call on Israel to release the political prisoners it is currently holding without charge.
Jawad Boulos, an attorney with the Palestinian Prisoners Society, told reporters Sunday that the prison administration has engaged in unfair and illegal practices against Essawy and other prisoners, including forcing Issawi to wear leg cuffs between 8 am and 8 pm, and preventing him from sitting on a chair in his prison hospital room.
Essawy’s hunger strike is the longest among the Palestinian prisoners, and among the longest ever engaged in worldwide. He has repeatedly stated that he is willing to die for the cause of equal rights for the Palestinian people, and according to his doctors, he will likely die soon.
He has refused any vitamin supplements, and is currently only taking water with some sugar.
5 Palestinian Prisoners remain on hunger strike, the longest of which is Samer al-Essawy who has been on strike since August 1 2012.
Israel Claims Arresting A “Hamas Cell” In Jerusalem
The Israeli “Internal Security Services” revealed Monday that the army arrested, last month, several Palestinians who allegedly “formed a cell for the Hamas movement in the Shu’fat refugee camp, in occupied East Jerusalem.”
The Israeli Radio reported that five Palestinians have been arrested by the army and “confessed during interrogation that they threw Molotov cocktails at the army” during clashes that took place in the yards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque following Friday prayers on March 8.
The army said that nine Israeli policemen have been injured, and that the Palestinians “used the help of minors to smuggle the Molotov cocktails into the yards of the mosque”, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
Indictments have been filed against three of the detained Palestinians at the District Court in occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli Radio reported that five Palestinians have been arrested by the army and “confessed during interrogation that they threw Molotov cocktails at the army” during clashes that took place in the yards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque following Friday prayers on March 8.
The army said that nine Israeli policemen have been injured, and that the Palestinians “used the help of minors to smuggle the Molotov cocktails into the yards of the mosque”, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
Indictments have been filed against three of the detained Palestinians at the District Court in occupied Jerusalem.
IOF soldiers round up six Palestinians including minor
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) nabbed six Palestinian citizens at dawn Monday in Al-Khalil and Bethlehem including a minor.
Local sources said that five Palestinians were rounded up in Al-Khalil city and Aroub refugee camp after storming several houses. They said that the detainees included a 16-year-old minor, who was taken from the refugee camp, while one was detained in Sa’eer village.
IOF soldiers broke into Doheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem and burst into the home of Raed Abu Humaida and arrested his 22-year-old son Hamid, locals said.
Local sources said that five Palestinians were rounded up in Al-Khalil city and Aroub refugee camp after storming several houses. They said that the detainees included a 16-year-old minor, who was taken from the refugee camp, while one was detained in Sa’eer village.
IOF soldiers broke into Doheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem and burst into the home of Raed Abu Humaida and arrested his 22-year-old son Hamid, locals said.
Deterioration of prisoner Sorour's health condition
The family of the administrative detainee Abdulqaher Sorour appealed, via Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies and Human Rights, to all humanitarian and human rights organizations to work for the release of their ailing son.
Fuad Al-Khuffash, the director of Ahrar, stated that the prisoner, 40, from the town of Ni'lin, had undergone a heart surgery since he was 18 years old, and he needs to change a heart valve, however his repeated arrests prevented him from following up his health condition.
Sorour was arrested several times by the Israeli occupation forces most recently in 2012, Khuffash said, warning against his serious health condition after his family said that it sharply deteriorated few days before his arrest.
Sorour, a father of four children, served as Director of the Office of Speaker of the Palestinian legislative council Dr. Aziz Dweik in 2006.
Fuad Al-Khuffash, the director of Ahrar, stated that the prisoner, 40, from the town of Ni'lin, had undergone a heart surgery since he was 18 years old, and he needs to change a heart valve, however his repeated arrests prevented him from following up his health condition.
Sorour was arrested several times by the Israeli occupation forces most recently in 2012, Khuffash said, warning against his serious health condition after his family said that it sharply deteriorated few days before his arrest.
Sorour, a father of four children, served as Director of the Office of Speaker of the Palestinian legislative council Dr. Aziz Dweik in 2006.
Israeli Forces Arrest Palestinian, Summon another in Bethlehem
Israeli forces Monday arrested a Palestinian from al-Dhiesheh camp, south of Bethlehem , and summoned another ,from the village of Um-Salmouna, to the Israeli intelligence, said security sources.
Sources told WAFA that forces raided Raed Abu-Humeideh’s home in Al-Dhiesheh, searched it and arrested his son Hamed, 22.
They added that soldiers handed a summons to Shadi Hayyan, 22, from Um-Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, to appear in the Israeli intelligence in Gush Etzion illegal settlement, south of Bethlehem.
Sources told WAFA that forces raided Raed Abu-Humeideh’s home in Al-Dhiesheh, searched it and arrested his son Hamed, 22.
They added that soldiers handed a summons to Shadi Hayyan, 22, from Um-Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, to appear in the Israeli intelligence in Gush Etzion illegal settlement, south of Bethlehem.
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‘Israeli guards attack Palestinian prisoners’
Israeli prison guards have attacked Palestinian prisoners inside an Israeli jail following their non-violent protests, Press TV reports.
A special Israeli unit was called into Ramon prison to attack Palestinian prisoners, who were protesting against the death of 64-year-old political detainee Maisarah Abu Hamdiah who died in an Israeli jail last week, Press TV correspondent Nel Burdern reported from the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday. The Palestinian prisoners protested by shouting and refusing food from the Israeli prison guards, but the guards responded by attacking the prisoners using electric rods and firing tear gas. |
A lawyer from Addameer Lawyers association visited Ramon prison and stated that
following the attack, many prisoners were placed under solitary confinement or transferred to other prisons.
"These special forces don't respect international law. And the administration of the Israeli prisons doesn’t care about international law,” Mourad Jadallah told our correspondent.
Palestinian Minister for Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqe has said that medical negligence in the Israeli regime’s custody led to the death of Abu Hamdiah, adding that this is a common situation occurring in all Israeli prisons.
The Palestinian prisoners told an Addameer lawyer that the protests are continuing and that the punishing measures conducted by the Israeli prison guards will not put an end to the protests.
The April 2 death of Abu Hamdiah sparked outrage throughout the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip and inside Israeli prisons, as the Palestinians believe that the treatment by Israeli guards inevitably caused his death.
This is the second death of a Palestinian political prisoner this year. Last month, 30-year-old Arafat Jaradat died of torture by the Israeli prison guards.
Palestinian lawyers refer to the violence used by the Israeli prison guards against Palestinian prisoners as dirty tactics and that they continue to defy international law and the fourth Geneva Convention.
More than 4,500 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli prisons, many of them without charge or trial.
On February 13, acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas appealed to the international community to intervene in support of Palestinian prisoners on an open-ended hunger strike to protest their detention conditions in Israeli prisons.
following the attack, many prisoners were placed under solitary confinement or transferred to other prisons.
"These special forces don't respect international law. And the administration of the Israeli prisons doesn’t care about international law,” Mourad Jadallah told our correspondent.
Palestinian Minister for Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqe has said that medical negligence in the Israeli regime’s custody led to the death of Abu Hamdiah, adding that this is a common situation occurring in all Israeli prisons.
The Palestinian prisoners told an Addameer lawyer that the protests are continuing and that the punishing measures conducted by the Israeli prison guards will not put an end to the protests.
The April 2 death of Abu Hamdiah sparked outrage throughout the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip and inside Israeli prisons, as the Palestinians believe that the treatment by Israeli guards inevitably caused his death.
This is the second death of a Palestinian political prisoner this year. Last month, 30-year-old Arafat Jaradat died of torture by the Israeli prison guards.
Palestinian lawyers refer to the violence used by the Israeli prison guards against Palestinian prisoners as dirty tactics and that they continue to defy international law and the fourth Geneva Convention.
More than 4,500 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli prisons, many of them without charge or trial.
On February 13, acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas appealed to the international community to intervene in support of Palestinian prisoners on an open-ended hunger strike to protest their detention conditions in Israeli prisons.
IOA extends remand of Jerusalemite for fourth time
The Israeli occupation authorities extended the remand of a 55-year-old Jerusalemite man for the fourth time pending more investigation into his case.
An Israeli court in western Jerusalem said that Khalil Abbasi, from Silwan town, would remain in custody till next Monday 22/4/2013.
The Israeli prosecution asked for the remand to be extended in a court hearing on Sunday until it could provide evidence and eyewitnesses against him.
Abbasi was arrested on 31/3/2013 in the wake of the Israeli occupation forces’ assault on worshipers in the Aqsa mosque and the arrest of ten of them.
An Israeli court in western Jerusalem said that Khalil Abbasi, from Silwan town, would remain in custody till next Monday 22/4/2013.
The Israeli prosecution asked for the remand to be extended in a court hearing on Sunday until it could provide evidence and eyewitnesses against him.
Abbasi was arrested on 31/3/2013 in the wake of the Israeli occupation forces’ assault on worshipers in the Aqsa mosque and the arrest of ten of them.
IOF arrests Palestinian woman for allegedly trying to stab a soldier
A Palestinian woman, who suffers severe psychological problems, is still being held by the Israeli occupation authorities despite her condition, the Tadamun Foundation for Human Rights revealed.
The Foundation's lawyer stated that the Israeli occupation forces arrested last week a Palestinian woman at Qalandiya checkpoint on the charge of attempting to stab a soldier.
The lawyer, Kifaya Al-Abed, said that she met the 28-year-old woman in Hasharon prison, stressing that she suffers psychological problems. The Israeli prison service did not care less about her suffering and refused to provide her with sedatives, the lawyer added.
The Foundation's lawyer called for the immediate release of the woman for being mentally unstable.
The Foundation's lawyer stated that the Israeli occupation forces arrested last week a Palestinian woman at Qalandiya checkpoint on the charge of attempting to stab a soldier.
The lawyer, Kifaya Al-Abed, said that she met the 28-year-old woman in Hasharon prison, stressing that she suffers psychological problems. The Israeli prison service did not care less about her suffering and refused to provide her with sedatives, the lawyer added.
The Foundation's lawyer called for the immediate release of the woman for being mentally unstable.
Raymond prisoners threaten to step up protests
The meeting between prisoners' representatives and the Israeli prison service officials on Sunday has failed to overcome tension in Raymond prison following the martyrdom of prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiya in custody.
In a leaked letter, the prisoners revealed that their meeting with the IPS has failed in easing the tension prevailing in Raymond prison in response to the IPS' brutal and inhuman practices against the prisoners.
The IPS has sprayed poisonous gas on the prisoners on Tuesday in sections 5 and 1, confiscating their personnel belongings and electronic equipment.
The prisoners stressed the need for more public, political, and media support for their cause in light of this ferocious attack that was endorsed by Israeli high-level political officials.
Raymond prisoners threatened to step up their protests if the Israeli practices continued against them, saying that they have launched a real Intifada following Abu Hamdiya's martyrdom over the past week.
In a leaked letter, the prisoners revealed that their meeting with the IPS has failed in easing the tension prevailing in Raymond prison in response to the IPS' brutal and inhuman practices against the prisoners.
The IPS has sprayed poisonous gas on the prisoners on Tuesday in sections 5 and 1, confiscating their personnel belongings and electronic equipment.
The prisoners stressed the need for more public, political, and media support for their cause in light of this ferocious attack that was endorsed by Israeli high-level political officials.
Raymond prisoners threatened to step up their protests if the Israeli practices continued against them, saying that they have launched a real Intifada following Abu Hamdiya's martyrdom over the past week.
