13 apr 2013
Ahrar: Israel uses cancerous cellphone jammers in its jails
Ahrar center for prisoners' studies and human rights said the Israeli jailers use cellphone jamming gadgets sending frequencies and waves that cause cancer and severe pains in the head. One of the ex-detainees told the center that since such devices were used inside jails, the number of prisoners suffering from cancer has risen significantly.
For his part, director of Ahrar center Fouad Al-Khafsh said that the Israeli prison authority deliberately uses such cancerous devices at the pretext of intercepting and barring phone calls made by some prisoners to contact their families.
Khafsh called on human rights groups to send specialized medical committees to the Israeli jails to examine these devices in order to pressure Israel into removing them from its prisons.
For his part, director of Ahrar center Fouad Al-Khafsh said that the Israeli prison authority deliberately uses such cancerous devices at the pretext of intercepting and barring phone calls made by some prisoners to contact their families.
Khafsh called on human rights groups to send specialized medical committees to the Israeli jails to examine these devices in order to pressure Israel into removing them from its prisons.
Activities in Jenin in solidarity with prisoner Issawi
The traffic was stopped for few minutes in Jenin on Saturday in solidarity with the hunger striking prisoners, especially the captive Samer al-Issawi, who entered the stage of extreme danger.
Ragheb Abu Diak, coordinator of the Popular Committee for the release of prisoners in Jenin, held the Israeli government full responsibility for the life of captive Issawi, given the serious deterioration of his health condition.
Meanwhile, students at the Arab American University in Jenin staged on Saturday inside the campus a sit-in, in solidarity with hunger striker Samer al-Issawi.
The students chanted during the sit-in slogans condemning the occupation and its crimes, and hoisted photos of Issawi and banners calling for supporting the hunger striking captives.
Ragheb Abu Diak, coordinator of the Popular Committee for the release of prisoners in Jenin, held the Israeli government full responsibility for the life of captive Issawi, given the serious deterioration of his health condition.
Meanwhile, students at the Arab American University in Jenin staged on Saturday inside the campus a sit-in, in solidarity with hunger striker Samer al-Issawi.
The students chanted during the sit-in slogans condemning the occupation and its crimes, and hoisted photos of Issawi and banners calling for supporting the hunger striking captives.
Prisoner Samer Barq's family denounces media blackout on his case
The father of captive Samer Barq, who has been on hunger strike for over a month and a half for the fourth time, denounced the media blackout on his son's case.
Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies quoted Samer's father as saying that some journalists have contacted him to ask him about his son's place of residence in Egypt to interview him, thinking that he had been released from the Israeli jails.
Kaher Abu Kamal, media spokesman for the Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies, said that "the father of captive Barq accused the local and foreign media organizations of negligence and media blackout on the issue of his son, who has been on hunger strike for the fourth time to re-gain his freedom, after the occupation broke its promises to release him."
Captive Samer Barq, 39 from the town of Jayyous in Qalqilya northern the West Bank, was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on July 11, 2010 on the King Hussein Bridge.
For its part, Waed Society for prisoners and ex-prisoners has launched the largest advertising media campaign at the local level in support for prisoners in Israeli jails, especially the hunger strikers and the isolated captives.
Waed pointed out that the campaign included attaching large advertising banners in the most important squares and streets in all the provinces of the Strip, printing thousands of posters that talk about prisoners and their steadfastness, and publishing some ads in some local radio stations.
Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies quoted Samer's father as saying that some journalists have contacted him to ask him about his son's place of residence in Egypt to interview him, thinking that he had been released from the Israeli jails.
Kaher Abu Kamal, media spokesman for the Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies, said that "the father of captive Barq accused the local and foreign media organizations of negligence and media blackout on the issue of his son, who has been on hunger strike for the fourth time to re-gain his freedom, after the occupation broke its promises to release him."
Captive Samer Barq, 39 from the town of Jayyous in Qalqilya northern the West Bank, was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on July 11, 2010 on the King Hussein Bridge.
For its part, Waed Society for prisoners and ex-prisoners has launched the largest advertising media campaign at the local level in support for prisoners in Israeli jails, especially the hunger strikers and the isolated captives.
Waed pointed out that the campaign included attaching large advertising banners in the most important squares and streets in all the provinces of the Strip, printing thousands of posters that talk about prisoners and their steadfastness, and publishing some ads in some local radio stations.
Leena Jerboni enters her 12th year in Israeli jail
Palestine Prisoners Center for Studies reported that captive Leena Jerboni from the village of Arraba, in the 1948-occupied territories, will enter in few days her twelfth year in the Israeli jails.
Researcher Riad al-Ashqar, Media Director of the center, noted that the captive Jerboni is considered the dean of Palestinian female prisoners. She has been detained since April 18, 2002, and was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment on charges of providing assistance to resistance factions during commando operations against Israeli targets.
Ashqar stated that Jerboni suffers from several diseases, and needs to undergo an urgent operation on the gallbladder. However, the occupation authorities have been deliberately neglecting her treatment.
Leena has decided six months ago to boycott the prison clinic and doctors, in protest against this deliberate medical neglect, while the occupation has been rejecting all her lawyers’ attempts to release her.
There are 14 Palestinian women detained in Israeli jails under harsh conditions. The prison administration has been abusing the captives, through the continuation of the policy of strip searches, solitary confinement, and visit deprivation.
The female prisoners are exposed to an organized campaign of suppression. The prison administration is still pursuing its policy of storming into and searching the detainees' rooms in the late hours of night, and is still denying them their right to education.
Researcher Riad al-Ashqar, Media Director of the center, noted that the captive Jerboni is considered the dean of Palestinian female prisoners. She has been detained since April 18, 2002, and was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment on charges of providing assistance to resistance factions during commando operations against Israeli targets.
Ashqar stated that Jerboni suffers from several diseases, and needs to undergo an urgent operation on the gallbladder. However, the occupation authorities have been deliberately neglecting her treatment.
Leena has decided six months ago to boycott the prison clinic and doctors, in protest against this deliberate medical neglect, while the occupation has been rejecting all her lawyers’ attempts to release her.
There are 14 Palestinian women detained in Israeli jails under harsh conditions. The prison administration has been abusing the captives, through the continuation of the policy of strip searches, solitary confinement, and visit deprivation.
The female prisoners are exposed to an organized campaign of suppression. The prison administration is still pursuing its policy of storming into and searching the detainees' rooms in the late hours of night, and is still denying them their right to education.
PA minister: Israel to allow foreign press to visit Ofer prison
Israel will allow foreign journalists to visit Ofer detention center near Ramallah on Sunday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Issa Qaraqe, PA minister of detainee affairs, said during a press conference Saturday that the unprecedented visit is an attempt to alter the truth about conditions for Palestinian prisoners.
Israel will try to present the prison as a "luxurious five star hotel," he said.
Since February, two Palestinian detainees have died in Israel's prison system and thousands of detainees are denied basic rights, Qaraqe said.
Journalists at the briefing should ask Palestinian detainees about their medical issues, infirmary conditions, and whether Israeli doctors treat them when they are sick, the PA minister added.
They should ask Palestinian minors about interrogation methods and torture they were subjected to by Israeli prison authorities, Qaraqe said.
Thousands of prisoners launched hunger-strike action and huge popular protests took place across the West Bank following the death of Arafat Jaradat, 30, in Israeli prison custody in February.
An autopsy showed he died from severe torture, Palestinian officials said.
Last week, cancer-stricken detainee Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh died in an Israeli hospital. The Palestinian leadership said Abu Hamdiyeh died because Israeli authorities refused him treatment until his cancer had spread.
Issa Qaraqe, PA minister of detainee affairs, said during a press conference Saturday that the unprecedented visit is an attempt to alter the truth about conditions for Palestinian prisoners.
Israel will try to present the prison as a "luxurious five star hotel," he said.
Since February, two Palestinian detainees have died in Israel's prison system and thousands of detainees are denied basic rights, Qaraqe said.
Journalists at the briefing should ask Palestinian detainees about their medical issues, infirmary conditions, and whether Israeli doctors treat them when they are sick, the PA minister added.
They should ask Palestinian minors about interrogation methods and torture they were subjected to by Israeli prison authorities, Qaraqe said.
Thousands of prisoners launched hunger-strike action and huge popular protests took place across the West Bank following the death of Arafat Jaradat, 30, in Israeli prison custody in February.
An autopsy showed he died from severe torture, Palestinian officials said.
Last week, cancer-stricken detainee Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh died in an Israeli hospital. The Palestinian leadership said Abu Hamdiyeh died because Israeli authorities refused him treatment until his cancer had spread.
Palestinians Urge Foreign Press to Seek Truth on Prisoners
Palestinian officials Saturday urged members of the foreign press in Israel to seek the truth about living conditions of 4800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and not to take the Israeli version for granted.
The Israel Prisons Service has invited foreign journalists to tour Ofer prison and military camp near Ramallah on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, Minister of Prisoners Issa Qaraqi urged the journalists to ask the prisoners they might meet about “the tragic conditions” they live under in the Israeli jails.
“Ask them about the medical neglect, the isolation, stealing of the canteen, torture and methods of interrogation of children, sanitation and the rotten mattresses they sleep on,” he said. “Ask them about everything.”
Head of the Prisoners Club, Qaddoura Faris, said Israel is taking the journalists to Ofer prison only, which is located in the occupied West Bank, while it will not take them to visit the prisons Palestinians are held in inside Israel in clear violation of international law because it is afraid of what will be said on this.
International law, he said, does not allow the occupying power to transfer people under its occupation from their place of residence.
The Israel Prisons Service has invited foreign journalists to tour Ofer prison and military camp near Ramallah on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, Minister of Prisoners Issa Qaraqi urged the journalists to ask the prisoners they might meet about “the tragic conditions” they live under in the Israeli jails.
“Ask them about the medical neglect, the isolation, stealing of the canteen, torture and methods of interrogation of children, sanitation and the rotten mattresses they sleep on,” he said. “Ask them about everything.”
Head of the Prisoners Club, Qaddoura Faris, said Israel is taking the journalists to Ofer prison only, which is located in the occupied West Bank, while it will not take them to visit the prisons Palestinians are held in inside Israel in clear violation of international law because it is afraid of what will be said on this.
International law, he said, does not allow the occupying power to transfer people under its occupation from their place of residence.
PHR warns of disaster in Israeli jails due to medical neglect
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) in the occupied Palestinian territories accused the Israeli medical system inside the prisons of abusing the Palestinian hunger striking prisoners and exercising pressures on them to stop their strike.
The human rights organization pointed out in a report issued on Friday that the prison administration violates the fundamental rights of hunger striking detainees, and refuses to allow independent physicians from outside the prison to visit and examine them.
The report also stated that the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) provides the hunger strikers with an "inadequate and insufficient medical follow up."
It suggests that the ways in which the IPS medical system dealt with and handled the cases of hunger strikers over the past year underlines the high extent to which the prison medical system is amenable to the prison system, which is in turn amenable and subordinate to Israel’s political echelons.
"Information gathered over the course of the year also raises concerns that on account of this subordination, the prison medical system in fact operates according to political and security considerations, rather than medical considerations, the former of which runs contrary to the interests of the hunger striking patient, " the report stated.
Anat Litvin, Director of Prisoners and Detainees Department in the PHR, called for taking strict measures against the prison administration and transferring control and responsibility for the medical services inside the prisons from the IPS to a professional and public medical body.
Litvin added that as long as the IPS medical system remains under the control and management of the prison system, with its political and security considerations, it will result in greater harm to the rights of prisoners.
Meanwhile, families of Prisoners and Jerusalemite Detainees Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) organized on Thursday at the Red Cross headquarters in Jerusalem the weekly sit-in, in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails with the participation of dozens of prisoners’ families, national forces, factions' representatives and liberated prisoners.
During the sit-in, the prisoners' families raised the captives' photos, and chanted slogans denouncing the continuation of the detention of patient and hunger striking prisoners.
Amjad Abu Assab, Head of the Families of Prisoners and Jerusalemite Detainees Committee, condemned the silence of the Arab and Islamic countries regarding the issue of hunger strikers.
For his part, the director of the PPS in Jerusalem, Nasser Qawas, pointed out during the protest that prisoner Samer al-Issawi suffers from extremely difficult conditions at Kaplan Hospital.
The human rights organization pointed out in a report issued on Friday that the prison administration violates the fundamental rights of hunger striking detainees, and refuses to allow independent physicians from outside the prison to visit and examine them.
The report also stated that the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) provides the hunger strikers with an "inadequate and insufficient medical follow up."
It suggests that the ways in which the IPS medical system dealt with and handled the cases of hunger strikers over the past year underlines the high extent to which the prison medical system is amenable to the prison system, which is in turn amenable and subordinate to Israel’s political echelons.
"Information gathered over the course of the year also raises concerns that on account of this subordination, the prison medical system in fact operates according to political and security considerations, rather than medical considerations, the former of which runs contrary to the interests of the hunger striking patient, " the report stated.
Anat Litvin, Director of Prisoners and Detainees Department in the PHR, called for taking strict measures against the prison administration and transferring control and responsibility for the medical services inside the prisons from the IPS to a professional and public medical body.
Litvin added that as long as the IPS medical system remains under the control and management of the prison system, with its political and security considerations, it will result in greater harm to the rights of prisoners.
Meanwhile, families of Prisoners and Jerusalemite Detainees Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) organized on Thursday at the Red Cross headquarters in Jerusalem the weekly sit-in, in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails with the participation of dozens of prisoners’ families, national forces, factions' representatives and liberated prisoners.
During the sit-in, the prisoners' families raised the captives' photos, and chanted slogans denouncing the continuation of the detention of patient and hunger striking prisoners.
Amjad Abu Assab, Head of the Families of Prisoners and Jerusalemite Detainees Committee, condemned the silence of the Arab and Islamic countries regarding the issue of hunger strikers.
For his part, the director of the PPS in Jerusalem, Nasser Qawas, pointed out during the protest that prisoner Samer al-Issawi suffers from extremely difficult conditions at Kaplan Hospital.
IOF soldiers arrest two young men in Bethlehem village
Two young men in Husan village, west of Bethlehem, were arrested at the hands of Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday.
Local sources said that the soldiers served a summons to a young man in Wadi Fukin village, also to the west of Bethlehem, for questioning at its intelligence office in Gush Etzion settlement, south of Bethlehem.
IOF soldiers stormed Yamun and Seelat Al-Harithiya villages to the west of Jenin for the second day in a row, set up roadblocks, and combed various areas but with no arrests made.
An IOF roadblock set at the entrance to Yamun village searched passing vehicle and scrutinized IDs of citizens.
Haneyya: The resistance is still able to free more prisoners from Israeli jails
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya said that the Palestinian resistance, which freed hundreds of prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, is able to liberate more. "We cannot forsake our prisoners, martyrs, Aqsa Mosque, land and Jerusalem, and we will keep up our struggle to liberate the land and its owners from the profanity of the occupation," premier Haneyya stated in a ceremony held on the occasion of the Arab orphan day in Gaza on Friday.
Haneyya also said that the Palestinian orphans would always remain a precious part of the Palestinian body and appealed to the Arab wealthy businessmen and philanthropists to work on creating a support fund for them.
In another incident, premier Ismail Haneyya decided to turn the central prison in Gaza known as Saraya into a national museum to advocate the cause of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Wa'ed society for detainees and ex-detainees opened on Thursday evening the museum in the presence of premier Haneyya, officials and former prisoners.
During the inauguration, the premier and the other visitors saw an acting scene portraying the torture of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails as well as a collection of handicrafts and paintings made by prisoners.
In a press release on Friday, Wa'ed society hailed premier Haneyya for his decision and described it as a historic event.
Local sources said that the soldiers served a summons to a young man in Wadi Fukin village, also to the west of Bethlehem, for questioning at its intelligence office in Gush Etzion settlement, south of Bethlehem.
IOF soldiers stormed Yamun and Seelat Al-Harithiya villages to the west of Jenin for the second day in a row, set up roadblocks, and combed various areas but with no arrests made.
An IOF roadblock set at the entrance to Yamun village searched passing vehicle and scrutinized IDs of citizens.
Haneyya: The resistance is still able to free more prisoners from Israeli jails
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya said that the Palestinian resistance, which freed hundreds of prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, is able to liberate more. "We cannot forsake our prisoners, martyrs, Aqsa Mosque, land and Jerusalem, and we will keep up our struggle to liberate the land and its owners from the profanity of the occupation," premier Haneyya stated in a ceremony held on the occasion of the Arab orphan day in Gaza on Friday.
Haneyya also said that the Palestinian orphans would always remain a precious part of the Palestinian body and appealed to the Arab wealthy businessmen and philanthropists to work on creating a support fund for them.
In another incident, premier Ismail Haneyya decided to turn the central prison in Gaza known as Saraya into a national museum to advocate the cause of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Wa'ed society for detainees and ex-detainees opened on Thursday evening the museum in the presence of premier Haneyya, officials and former prisoners.
During the inauguration, the premier and the other visitors saw an acting scene portraying the torture of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails as well as a collection of handicrafts and paintings made by prisoners.
In a press release on Friday, Wa'ed society hailed premier Haneyya for his decision and described it as a historic event.
11 prisoners hurt in Israeli prison fire
Hebrew media reported that 11 Palestinian prisoners were hurt at dawn Saturday when fire broke out in the Israeli prison Ohli Kedar in Beersheba.
The website of Yediot Ahronot said that the prisoners’ injuries were light to moderate, adding that some of them were treated in the prison for smoke inhalation while others were flown to Soroka hospital.
It said that firefighters managed to put off the fire, adding that the prison administration started investigating cause of the blaze.
Palestinian human rights sources said that the Israeli prison authorizes were refusing to give any information on names of the injured prisoners and refuse to allow lawyers to visit the prison to check on the prisoners.
The website of Yediot Ahronot said that the prisoners’ injuries were light to moderate, adding that some of them were treated in the prison for smoke inhalation while others were flown to Soroka hospital.
It said that firefighters managed to put off the fire, adding that the prison administration started investigating cause of the blaze.
Palestinian human rights sources said that the Israeli prison authorizes were refusing to give any information on names of the injured prisoners and refuse to allow lawyers to visit the prison to check on the prisoners.
12 apr 2013
Occupation refuses to release Palestinian prisoner's mother
Ashkelon Magistrate's Court postponed on Thursday consideration of the release of citizen Intisar Haj for Friday, while it released the female captive Suhaila Omar.
Local sources reported that the court might extend the detention of captive Intisar Haj once again, under the pretext of investigation, without taking into account her age and health condition.
The two women are mothers of two captives in the Israeli jail of Ashkelon. They were arrested on Tuesday evening by the occupation forces, while returning from a visit to their sons in the Israeli prison.
Local sources reported that the court might extend the detention of captive Intisar Haj once again, under the pretext of investigation, without taking into account her age and health condition.
The two women are mothers of two captives in the Israeli jail of Ashkelon. They were arrested on Tuesday evening by the occupation forces, while returning from a visit to their sons in the Israeli prison.
Israel offers deportation of Issawi to European country
Israel has offered the deportation of detained hunger striker Samer Issawi to a European country or any other UN member country, the AP reported on Friday.
The agency quoted an Israeli official as saying that the office of premier Benjamin Netanyahu had proposed the offer to officials at the UN and the European Union who had expressed concern over Issawi’s condition. He added that those officials did not respond to the offer as yet.
David Kriss, press and information manager for the EU delegation in Israel, said that the EU did not receive an official notification from Israel in this regard.
Issawi’s lawyer Jawad Bulous said that his client refuses the idea of deportation.
Issawi was serving a 26-year sentence when he was released in the Wafa Al-Ahrar prisoners’ exchange deal. However, the Israeli occupation authorities re-arrested him at the pretext of violating terms of the deal and held him in administrative custody.
The agency quoted an Israeli official as saying that the office of premier Benjamin Netanyahu had proposed the offer to officials at the UN and the European Union who had expressed concern over Issawi’s condition. He added that those officials did not respond to the offer as yet.
David Kriss, press and information manager for the EU delegation in Israel, said that the EU did not receive an official notification from Israel in this regard.
Issawi’s lawyer Jawad Bulous said that his client refuses the idea of deportation.
Issawi was serving a 26-year sentence when he was released in the Wafa Al-Ahrar prisoners’ exchange deal. However, the Israeli occupation authorities re-arrested him at the pretext of violating terms of the deal and held him in administrative custody.
Rights abuses by Israel prison medics 'endanger lives'
Israel's Ayalon prison in Ramle near Tel Aviv
Human rights violations by medics working for Israel's prison service are endangering the lives of both Israeli and Palestinian inmates, especially hunger strikers, a watchdog said on Thursday.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly urged the transfer of responsibility for prisoners' health from the Israel Prisons Service to the health ministry in order to ensure detainees' health was put ahead of "security considerations".
"Medical ethics and human rights violations carried out by the IPS, specifically by prison medical practitioners... endangered the lives of prisoners and detainees on hunger strike," PHR said in a report.
The abuses it cited included "preventing independent physicians from examining and monitoring the medical condition of hunger strikers... and blocking the transfer of prisoners on hunger strike to civilian hospitals."
The deteriorating health of several prisoners on long-term hunger strike in Israeli jails has prompted thousands of other prisoners to stage shorter-term fasts and sparked widespread protests on the Palestinian street.
It also raised the recent death from cancer of a long-term Palestinian prisoner, whose demise sparked violent protests and prompted the Palestinian Authority to accuse Israel of medical negligence.
PHR also expressed concern over the case of an Australian-Israeli national called Ben Zygier, a reported Mossad agent who was locked away in 2010 under top-secret conditions and later hanged himself in his cell.
It said the prison medical service "operates according to political and security considerations rather than medical considerations... (and) worsens situations of dual loyalty, a problem already rampant among medical practitioners employed by the IPS."
The group said responsibility for health issues should be transferred from the prisons service to the health ministry.
"PHR-Israel calls for the establishment of a committee that will examine the possibility of transferring control and responsibility for the medical services inside the prisons from the Israeli Prison Services to the Ministry of Health," it said.
"Such a transfer would make the level, availability, and quality of services, equal -- if not on par -- with the type of services accessed by the general population," it said.
In countries that had made a similar transition of responsibility, "considerable improvements are noticeable... with regards to improvements in the level of services (and) in the amount of harm sustained as a result of rights-based offenses."
Meanwhile, in a related development the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper printed excerpts from a letter addressed to Israelis from long-term hunger striker Samer Issawi, who medics say is very close to death's door after refusing food since August.
"I am Samer al-Issawi, 'one of them Arabs' in your army's terms. That Jerusalemite you locked up for no good reason but that he decided to leave Jerusalem to the city's outskirts," he said, referring to his arrest on grounds he took his car to be fixed in a West Bank garage in violation of the terms of his 2011 release from jail.
"Hear my voice, the voice of remaining time -- mine and yours... Don't forget those you have incarcerated in prison and camps, between the iron doors that imprison your consciousness," he wrote.
"I'm not waiting for a prison guard to free me, I'm waiting for the one who frees you of my memory."
Haaretz said Issawi had handed the letter to several Israeli women who had begun visiting Kaplan hospital in Rehovot where he being held.
He was one of hundreds of long-term security prisoners released by Israel under a prisoner swap deal in October 2011, but he was rearrested in July last year following allegations that he violated the terms of the agreement by leaving East Jerusalem and going into the West Bank.
Human rights violations by medics working for Israel's prison service are endangering the lives of both Israeli and Palestinian inmates, especially hunger strikers, a watchdog said on Thursday.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly urged the transfer of responsibility for prisoners' health from the Israel Prisons Service to the health ministry in order to ensure detainees' health was put ahead of "security considerations".
"Medical ethics and human rights violations carried out by the IPS, specifically by prison medical practitioners... endangered the lives of prisoners and detainees on hunger strike," PHR said in a report.
The abuses it cited included "preventing independent physicians from examining and monitoring the medical condition of hunger strikers... and blocking the transfer of prisoners on hunger strike to civilian hospitals."
The deteriorating health of several prisoners on long-term hunger strike in Israeli jails has prompted thousands of other prisoners to stage shorter-term fasts and sparked widespread protests on the Palestinian street.
It also raised the recent death from cancer of a long-term Palestinian prisoner, whose demise sparked violent protests and prompted the Palestinian Authority to accuse Israel of medical negligence.
PHR also expressed concern over the case of an Australian-Israeli national called Ben Zygier, a reported Mossad agent who was locked away in 2010 under top-secret conditions and later hanged himself in his cell.
It said the prison medical service "operates according to political and security considerations rather than medical considerations... (and) worsens situations of dual loyalty, a problem already rampant among medical practitioners employed by the IPS."
The group said responsibility for health issues should be transferred from the prisons service to the health ministry.
"PHR-Israel calls for the establishment of a committee that will examine the possibility of transferring control and responsibility for the medical services inside the prisons from the Israeli Prison Services to the Ministry of Health," it said.
"Such a transfer would make the level, availability, and quality of services, equal -- if not on par -- with the type of services accessed by the general population," it said.
In countries that had made a similar transition of responsibility, "considerable improvements are noticeable... with regards to improvements in the level of services (and) in the amount of harm sustained as a result of rights-based offenses."
Meanwhile, in a related development the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper printed excerpts from a letter addressed to Israelis from long-term hunger striker Samer Issawi, who medics say is very close to death's door after refusing food since August.
"I am Samer al-Issawi, 'one of them Arabs' in your army's terms. That Jerusalemite you locked up for no good reason but that he decided to leave Jerusalem to the city's outskirts," he said, referring to his arrest on grounds he took his car to be fixed in a West Bank garage in violation of the terms of his 2011 release from jail.
"Hear my voice, the voice of remaining time -- mine and yours... Don't forget those you have incarcerated in prison and camps, between the iron doors that imprison your consciousness," he wrote.
"I'm not waiting for a prison guard to free me, I'm waiting for the one who frees you of my memory."
Haaretz said Issawi had handed the letter to several Israeli women who had begun visiting Kaplan hospital in Rehovot where he being held.
He was one of hundreds of long-term security prisoners released by Israel under a prisoner swap deal in October 2011, but he was rearrested in July last year following allegations that he violated the terms of the agreement by leaving East Jerusalem and going into the West Bank.
Israeli forces detain 5 in West Bank raids
Israeli forces detained five Palestinians overnight Thursday in raids across the West Bank, the army said.
Soldiers detained two people in Idhna, west of Hebron, two in Nablus and another in al-Khader south of Bethlehem, a military spokeswoman told Ma'an.
In Nablus, in the northern West Bank, locals said soldiers raided the city after midnight and detained 31-year-old Muamar Jamous and Sami al-Bazan.
They were taken to the Huwwara military base south of the city, locals told Ma'an.
In al-Khader, forces detained 21-year-old Marwan Issa during a raid on his home. Issa's brother was issued a warrant to appear at Israel's military base in Etzion, a Ma'an reporter said.
Soldiers detained two people in Idhna, west of Hebron, two in Nablus and another in al-Khader south of Bethlehem, a military spokeswoman told Ma'an.
In Nablus, in the northern West Bank, locals said soldiers raided the city after midnight and detained 31-year-old Muamar Jamous and Sami al-Bazan.
They were taken to the Huwwara military base south of the city, locals told Ma'an.
In al-Khader, forces detained 21-year-old Marwan Issa during a raid on his home. Issa's brother was issued a warrant to appear at Israel's military base in Etzion, a Ma'an reporter said.
Israel releases Bethlehem prisoner
Israel on Thursday released a 19-year-old Palestinian from Bethlehem after detaining him in Ramon jail for a year.
Dozens of Palestinians gathered to welcome Foad Faraj in Doha, southwest of Bethlehem.
Faraj told Ma'an that Palestinians were suffering in Israeli jails, particularly those with poor health. He urged organizations to intervene for their release.
Israeli forces raid Hamas leader's home
Israeli forces raided the home of a Hamas leader at dawn on Friday near Jenin, locals said.
Soldiers ransacked Sheikh Jihad Nawadha's home in Yamun village in the northern West Bank, locals told Ma'an.
Forces questioned the 48-year-old Hamas leader but did not arrest him, they added.
Nawadha has spent six years in Israeli jails.
Dozens of Palestinians gathered to welcome Foad Faraj in Doha, southwest of Bethlehem.
Faraj told Ma'an that Palestinians were suffering in Israeli jails, particularly those with poor health. He urged organizations to intervene for their release.
Israeli forces raid Hamas leader's home
Israeli forces raided the home of a Hamas leader at dawn on Friday near Jenin, locals said.
Soldiers ransacked Sheikh Jihad Nawadha's home in Yamun village in the northern West Bank, locals told Ma'an.
Forces questioned the 48-year-old Hamas leader but did not arrest him, they added.
Nawadha has spent six years in Israeli jails.
2 detained in Bethlehem refugee camp
Israeli soldiers detained two Palestinians from Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem on Thursday, locals said.
Forces raided the camp and detained 21-year-old Mahmoud Mukhles and Omar Aziyeh, 25, from their homes, locals told Ma'an.
Aziyeh has been detained by Israel several times and is due to be married later in April.
Forces raided the camp and detained 21-year-old Mahmoud Mukhles and Omar Aziyeh, 25, from their homes, locals told Ma'an.
Aziyeh has been detained by Israel several times and is due to be married later in April.
IOA refuses an appeal to release MP Fathi Qarawi
The Israeli court refused the appeal to release the administrative detainee MP for Change and Reform Bloc Fathi Qarawi from the city of Tulkarem in the northern occupied West Bank.
Ofer Military Court rejected the appeal submitted by the deputy's lawyer for his release under the pretext of the alleged secret file, family sources told Quds press on Thursday.
MP Qarawi was arrested in November 2012 for his participation in protests in the cities of the West Bank in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and held in administrative detention since then.
Ofer Military Court rejected the appeal submitted by the deputy's lawyer for his release under the pretext of the alleged secret file, family sources told Quds press on Thursday.
MP Qarawi was arrested in November 2012 for his participation in protests in the cities of the West Bank in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and held in administrative detention since then.
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" Launched for the Freedom of Palestinian Prisoners
From Beirut and Latin America, the Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" was launched in defense of Palestinian People, as a peace movement of volunteers and human rights activists around the world from different social organizations from Lebanon and Latin America, in defense of the Palestinian cause, for the freedom of the palestinian prisoners through non-violent resistance, vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
They decided to support the freedom of palestinian prisoners, inspired by the open letter was sent to Israel government authorities signed by Faisal Sergio Tapia, Human Rights Defender on Hunger Strike since March 1º -stating he would directly offer his life in exchange that SAMER ISSAWI IS MADE FREE.
With that said, we as WORLDWIDE activists firmly stand behind to Faisal Tapia human rights defender, in his request and if they take him, they MUST take us all. We will NOT allow human rights to be violated.
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People, primarily targets governments, but also reports on non-governmental bodies and private individuals ("non-state actors").
There are 5 key areas which the Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" deals with:
*Women's, children's, palestinian rights
* Ending torture
* Rights of refugees
* Rights of palestinian prisoners of conscience
* Protection of human dignity.
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People are based on the protection of human rights of palestinian people, and under the direction of the international president, the outstanding leader Ibn Amir Tawfik, writer and Lebanese Poet Founder of the Lebanese Union of Overseas (2006) Member of the Lebanese Cultural Union (1998-2006) Member of the I Head of the Lebanese Surrender. 1559 of the UN in 2005 Recognized by the Foundation Arabic-Colombo in the II Encounter of India Cartagena, Colombia (2006) and Government from Lebanon, for Their Archaeological and Cultural contribution (2007) Membro Gives it equips of historical-archaeological study-paleopathological-fisicoantropológicos-the-paleoastronômicos Pheonician and the Gilding, Brazil (2007)
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People, volunteers work in defense of palestinian people in communities and organizations of Human Rights. Volunteers offer services through a free legal clinic, where volunteers shadow and assist lawyers as they provide legal consulting to community members. Volunteers also work with palestine community of palestinian prisoners.
The Human Rights Brigades primarily works with education communities that are under resourced and largely unaware of their legal rights. Additionally, volunteers provide legal capacity building human rights workshops on various legal concepts to empower communities through education. Between brigades, Global Brigades' in-country staff works to secure legal outcomes and provide follow-up to the community.
They decided to support the freedom of palestinian prisoners, inspired by the open letter was sent to Israel government authorities signed by Faisal Sergio Tapia, Human Rights Defender on Hunger Strike since March 1º -stating he would directly offer his life in exchange that SAMER ISSAWI IS MADE FREE.
With that said, we as WORLDWIDE activists firmly stand behind to Faisal Tapia human rights defender, in his request and if they take him, they MUST take us all. We will NOT allow human rights to be violated.
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People, primarily targets governments, but also reports on non-governmental bodies and private individuals ("non-state actors").
There are 5 key areas which the Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" deals with:
*Women's, children's, palestinian rights
* Ending torture
* Rights of refugees
* Rights of palestinian prisoners of conscience
* Protection of human dignity.
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People are based on the protection of human rights of palestinian people, and under the direction of the international president, the outstanding leader Ibn Amir Tawfik, writer and Lebanese Poet Founder of the Lebanese Union of Overseas (2006) Member of the Lebanese Cultural Union (1998-2006) Member of the I Head of the Lebanese Surrender. 1559 of the UN in 2005 Recognized by the Foundation Arabic-Colombo in the II Encounter of India Cartagena, Colombia (2006) and Government from Lebanon, for Their Archaeological and Cultural contribution (2007) Membro Gives it equips of historical-archaeological study-paleopathological-fisicoantropológicos-the-paleoastronômicos Pheonician and the Gilding, Brazil (2007)
The Human Rights Brigades "Faisal Sergio Tapia" in defense of Palestinian People, volunteers work in defense of palestinian people in communities and organizations of Human Rights. Volunteers offer services through a free legal clinic, where volunteers shadow and assist lawyers as they provide legal consulting to community members. Volunteers also work with palestine community of palestinian prisoners.
The Human Rights Brigades primarily works with education communities that are under resourced and largely unaware of their legal rights. Additionally, volunteers provide legal capacity building human rights workshops on various legal concepts to empower communities through education. Between brigades, Global Brigades' in-country staff works to secure legal outcomes and provide follow-up to the community.
IOF Forces Arrest Youngster, Summon Other from Bethlehem
Israel Occupation Forces arrested a youngster from al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, and handed his brother a notice to meet with the Israeli Intelligence.
Security source said that Israeli soldiers raided the house of Mohammed Abul Qadder Issa, searched it and arrested his 21-year-old son Marwan and handed his other son Ashraf, a notice to meet with the Israeli Intelligence at Etzion settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
Security source said that Israeli soldiers raided the house of Mohammed Abul Qadder Issa, searched it and arrested his 21-year-old son Marwan and handed his other son Ashraf, a notice to meet with the Israeli Intelligence at Etzion settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
Captive Abu Daoud goes on hunger strike until his release
Captive Ayman Abu Daoud, who was re-arrested after his release in Wafa Al-Ahrar deal, announced that he would go on hunger strike as of Sunday 14/4/2012 until his release.
The director of Ahrar center for prisoners’ studies and human rights, Fuad Al-Khafsh, quoted Ayman as saying that after all doors were closed before him and the Israeli occupation authorities were adamant on forcing him to complete his 36-year sentence he decided to go on hunger strike.
Khafsh said that Ayman appealed to all official and private institutions and the liberated prisoners not to leave him alone in this battle for his freedom.
The Ahrar director said that Ayman was re-arrested on 13/2/2012 only few months after his release in the prisoners’ exchange deal. He had served seven years of his 36-year sentence that was passed against him for wounding a Jewish settler. His house was razed and his family was rendered homeless as additional punishment against him.
Haneyya stresses commitment towards prisoners and al-Aqsa
The Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya stressed his government and Hamas movement's keenness on to liberating all Palestinian prisoners and al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli occupation. During the Hamas women movement festival on Thursday evening, Haneyya stressed that the prisoners' issue is on the top of the Palestinian priorities in light of the Israeli brutal and criminal campaign against those prisoners, condemning the Arab and international silence towards the continued Israeli sadism.
He stated that his government and Hamas movement cannot keep silent towards the Israeli crimes against the prisoners, praising the efforts that led to the freedom of prisoners in Wafa al-Ahrar exchange deal.
Regarding Jerusalem, the Prime Minister stressed its holiness in the Islamic creed, and pointed to the Israeli serious attacks on Jerusalem that aim to Judaize it and to impose full over control it.
Regarding the American visits to the region, he charged that these suspicious visits aim to resume the settlement process at the expense of the Palestinian reconciliation and constants.
Haneyya warned of American attempts to re-arrange the Middle East in a way that would ensure retaining the “Zionist entity” as an integrated member in the region even after the Arab Spring that toppled all regimes, which were allied with Israel.
The director of Ahrar center for prisoners’ studies and human rights, Fuad Al-Khafsh, quoted Ayman as saying that after all doors were closed before him and the Israeli occupation authorities were adamant on forcing him to complete his 36-year sentence he decided to go on hunger strike.
Khafsh said that Ayman appealed to all official and private institutions and the liberated prisoners not to leave him alone in this battle for his freedom.
The Ahrar director said that Ayman was re-arrested on 13/2/2012 only few months after his release in the prisoners’ exchange deal. He had served seven years of his 36-year sentence that was passed against him for wounding a Jewish settler. His house was razed and his family was rendered homeless as additional punishment against him.
Haneyya stresses commitment towards prisoners and al-Aqsa
The Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya stressed his government and Hamas movement's keenness on to liberating all Palestinian prisoners and al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli occupation. During the Hamas women movement festival on Thursday evening, Haneyya stressed that the prisoners' issue is on the top of the Palestinian priorities in light of the Israeli brutal and criminal campaign against those prisoners, condemning the Arab and international silence towards the continued Israeli sadism.
He stated that his government and Hamas movement cannot keep silent towards the Israeli crimes against the prisoners, praising the efforts that led to the freedom of prisoners in Wafa al-Ahrar exchange deal.
Regarding Jerusalem, the Prime Minister stressed its holiness in the Islamic creed, and pointed to the Israeli serious attacks on Jerusalem that aim to Judaize it and to impose full over control it.
Regarding the American visits to the region, he charged that these suspicious visits aim to resume the settlement process at the expense of the Palestinian reconciliation and constants.
Haneyya warned of American attempts to re-arrange the Middle East in a way that would ensure retaining the “Zionist entity” as an integrated member in the region even after the Arab Spring that toppled all regimes, which were allied with Israel.
