22 mar 2013
Demonstration in support of Palestinian captives in Jenin
Palestinian residents of Arraba, south of Jenin, demonstrated Friday in support of Palestinian captives on hunger strike and captives Muhammad Mardawi and Sami al-Oweidi who are suffering from medical neglect.
Participants called for the release of captives and headed to the homes of the two ill captives Mardawi, who is serving a 24 year sentence and Arridi who is serving 19 years and whose health condition have deteriorated. They also called for more support for the captives issue and raised the pictures of sick captives and the captives who are on a hunger strike.
The brother of captive Mardawi confirmed the deterioration of the health of his brother and the occupation authority’s neglect of his lawyers demands for providing him with proper medical care. While released captive and Islamic Jihad leader Sheikh Khader Adnan said that activities supporting captives will continue and held the occupation authority and the international community responsible for the lives of sick captives.
Participants called for the release of captives and headed to the homes of the two ill captives Mardawi, who is serving a 24 year sentence and Arridi who is serving 19 years and whose health condition have deteriorated. They also called for more support for the captives issue and raised the pictures of sick captives and the captives who are on a hunger strike.
The brother of captive Mardawi confirmed the deterioration of the health of his brother and the occupation authority’s neglect of his lawyers demands for providing him with proper medical care. While released captive and Islamic Jihad leader Sheikh Khader Adnan said that activities supporting captives will continue and held the occupation authority and the international community responsible for the lives of sick captives.
Palestinian youth interrupts Obama's speech
Israeli forces detained Rabee' Eid, 24, a student at Haifa University after he interrupted US president Obama while speaking to hundreds of Israeli students and academics in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday.
Did you come here for peace? Or to give 'Israel' more weapons to kill the Palestinian people??
Rabee’ asked. "Who killed Rachel Corrie? Rachel Corrie was killed with your money and your weapons," he said in reference to the American peace activist who was killed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza during her attempt to stop an Israeli Bulldozer from demolishing Palestinian home.
Rabee's statements came despite the Israeli strict measures, where they selected a number of students to attend the speech by making them sign an obligation not to cause any inconvenience in the hall during the speech.
“The state must be a state for all its citizens, not a state for the Jewish people, he continued, "Have you seen the apartheid wall on your way?, There are in this room Palestinians, this state must be for all its citizens, not state of the Jewish people," he said in response to Obama's statements on a Jewish state.
Israeli security forces have immediately attacked Eid and took him violently outside the hall, while Obama commented by saying "You know, I have to say we actually arranged for that because it made me feel at home," Obama said, laughing. "I wouldn't feel comfortable if I didn't have at least one heckler," he added.
Rabee Eid is a Palestinian student from one of a Galilee village.
Did you come here for peace? Or to give 'Israel' more weapons to kill the Palestinian people??
Rabee’ asked. "Who killed Rachel Corrie? Rachel Corrie was killed with your money and your weapons," he said in reference to the American peace activist who was killed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza during her attempt to stop an Israeli Bulldozer from demolishing Palestinian home.
Rabee's statements came despite the Israeli strict measures, where they selected a number of students to attend the speech by making them sign an obligation not to cause any inconvenience in the hall during the speech.
“The state must be a state for all its citizens, not a state for the Jewish people, he continued, "Have you seen the apartheid wall on your way?, There are in this room Palestinians, this state must be for all its citizens, not state of the Jewish people," he said in response to Obama's statements on a Jewish state.
Israeli security forces have immediately attacked Eid and took him violently outside the hall, while Obama commented by saying "You know, I have to say we actually arranged for that because it made me feel at home," Obama said, laughing. "I wouldn't feel comfortable if I didn't have at least one heckler," he added.
Rabee Eid is a Palestinian student from one of a Galilee village.
IOA transfers a prisoner to hospital after his health deterioration
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have transfered the Palestinian prisoner Raafat Abu Ajehichh, 22, from the town of Idna west of al-Khalil, to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba after his health deterioration, the prisoner's family stated.
The sources added that the captive Abu Jheisha, a student at Sharia Faculty in al-Khalil University, was arrested about two months ago where he was sentenced to 10 months.
The family did not mention whether he was suffering health problems or any other reasons that have led to the deterioration of his health.
The sources added that the captive Abu Jheisha, a student at Sharia Faculty in al-Khalil University, was arrested about two months ago where he was sentenced to 10 months.
The family did not mention whether he was suffering health problems or any other reasons that have led to the deterioration of his health.
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Israeli Human Rights Centre Objects to Detaining Palestinian Children
Snap shot from a video by an international activist during the arrest
An Israeli human rights centre has revealed that the occupation authorities have ten Palestinian children in jail who are aged between 8 and 10 years. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B'Tselem) made the disclosure in the context of the recent spate of arrest of minors in the West Bank. B'Tselem said that its envoy met the occupation's legal advisor in the occupied West Bank, Colonel Doron Ben Barak and asked for him to intervene as a matter of urgency to get the release of more than 20 Palestinian children detained on Wednesday morning in Hebron. |
The organisation has published a video taken by an activist that shows children being pulled from the arms of their parents while crying and screaming.
The children were on their way to a number of schools on Tariq bin-Ziad Street in Hebron when they were detained by the Israeli authorities. The B'Tselem video shows clearly that they were carrying their school bags and wearing school uniforms at the time of their detention.
Although a spokesman of the Israeli occupations forces said that the pupils were interrogated on suspicion of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, B'Tselem said that "this cannot justify the mass detention of youths for unspecified suspicions, let alone the arrest or detention of children under twelve".
The Israeli Youth Law requires that a parent or adult be present during the interrogation of child suspects. The law does not formally apply to Palestinians in the occupied territories, who are subject to Israeli military law, but the military court has recommended that the relevant provisions be taken into account in all dealings with Palestinian children.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a statement to the Tel Aviv newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Most were later released, the military press office said, but seven of the young people “have been taken for a police interrogation.”
Israeli forces detain around 7,000 Palestinian minors every year. Some of them are kidnapped from their homes, some while they are on the street and some are taken from their schools. According to statistics by the Palestinian Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Addameer, at the end of 2012 there were 194 Palestinian minors were in Israeli prisons; at least 30 of them are under 16 years of age.
The children were on their way to a number of schools on Tariq bin-Ziad Street in Hebron when they were detained by the Israeli authorities. The B'Tselem video shows clearly that they were carrying their school bags and wearing school uniforms at the time of their detention.
Although a spokesman of the Israeli occupations forces said that the pupils were interrogated on suspicion of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, B'Tselem said that "this cannot justify the mass detention of youths for unspecified suspicions, let alone the arrest or detention of children under twelve".
The Israeli Youth Law requires that a parent or adult be present during the interrogation of child suspects. The law does not formally apply to Palestinians in the occupied territories, who are subject to Israeli military law, but the military court has recommended that the relevant provisions be taken into account in all dealings with Palestinian children.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a statement to the Tel Aviv newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Most were later released, the military press office said, but seven of the young people “have been taken for a police interrogation.”
Israeli forces detain around 7,000 Palestinian minors every year. Some of them are kidnapped from their homes, some while they are on the street and some are taken from their schools. According to statistics by the Palestinian Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Addameer, at the end of 2012 there were 194 Palestinian minors were in Israeli prisons; at least 30 of them are under 16 years of age.
21 mar 2013
Israeli court to open hearing into Issawi’s case
The Israeli military court in Ofer near Ramallah is to open a hearing into the case of detained hunger striker Samer Issawi on Thursday.
Shireen, Samer’s sister, said on her Facebook page on Wednesday that her brother, who has been on hunger strike for 242 days demanding his release, had started his strike in Israeli jails as soon as he was detained more than eight months ago.
She said that Palestinian activists would stage a sit-in before the court at the time of the hearing in support of the Jerusalemite detainee.
She said that another sit-in would be staged in front of the Kaplan hospital where Issawi is held in view of his grave health condition.
Issawi refuses to take vitamins in coincidence with Obama's visit
Ofer Military Court will hold today a hearing to look into the issue of Samer Issawi who went on a hunger strike since August 1st, 2012, PPS' lawyer Jawad Boulos declared.
The lawyer pointed out that the doctors in Kaplan hospital informed the Court that the hunger striker Samer Isawi could not attend the court due to his serious health condition.
Today's court session will only be a reviewing session to agree on how to manage his trial in the coming weeks, the lawyer added.
Samer Issawi has stopped taking vitamins since few days ago as an escalatory step to shed light on the prisoners' suffering in coincidence with the U.S. President Obama's visit to the region, calling on the Palestinian people to pray for him especially in light of his serious health deterioration, PPS lawyer added.
Concerning his health situation, Boulos emphasized that Issawi was placed under medical surveillance, using breathing apparatus, stressing his determination to continue the strike.
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike for two days each week
Sources from inside the Israeli jails reported that Palestinian captives in Ramon, Nafha and Eshel prisons will start a hunger strike for two days each week, in solidarity with the hunger striking captives.
The sources said in press statements on Thursday that the prisoners have taken this step "as a warning message to the prison administration" in protest against the non-implementation of the terms of the agreement signed following the hunger strike waged by the captive movement last April.
They pointed out that the conditions inside the jails have become tense and unstable due to the abusive procedures against the detainees by the prison administration which still refuses to meet the prisoners' demands.
The Israeli prison administration in Ramon and Nafha detention centers has deprived prisoners from their families visit for a whole month because of their support and solidarity with the hunger striking captives.
For its part; al-Tadhamon Foundation for Human Rights confirmed in a statement that the prisoners in Ramon still suffer from medical neglect, in addition to the ongoing arbitrary measures against them.
Shireen, Samer’s sister, said on her Facebook page on Wednesday that her brother, who has been on hunger strike for 242 days demanding his release, had started his strike in Israeli jails as soon as he was detained more than eight months ago.
She said that Palestinian activists would stage a sit-in before the court at the time of the hearing in support of the Jerusalemite detainee.
She said that another sit-in would be staged in front of the Kaplan hospital where Issawi is held in view of his grave health condition.
Issawi refuses to take vitamins in coincidence with Obama's visit
Ofer Military Court will hold today a hearing to look into the issue of Samer Issawi who went on a hunger strike since August 1st, 2012, PPS' lawyer Jawad Boulos declared.
The lawyer pointed out that the doctors in Kaplan hospital informed the Court that the hunger striker Samer Isawi could not attend the court due to his serious health condition.
Today's court session will only be a reviewing session to agree on how to manage his trial in the coming weeks, the lawyer added.
Samer Issawi has stopped taking vitamins since few days ago as an escalatory step to shed light on the prisoners' suffering in coincidence with the U.S. President Obama's visit to the region, calling on the Palestinian people to pray for him especially in light of his serious health deterioration, PPS lawyer added.
Concerning his health situation, Boulos emphasized that Issawi was placed under medical surveillance, using breathing apparatus, stressing his determination to continue the strike.
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike for two days each week
Sources from inside the Israeli jails reported that Palestinian captives in Ramon, Nafha and Eshel prisons will start a hunger strike for two days each week, in solidarity with the hunger striking captives.
The sources said in press statements on Thursday that the prisoners have taken this step "as a warning message to the prison administration" in protest against the non-implementation of the terms of the agreement signed following the hunger strike waged by the captive movement last April.
They pointed out that the conditions inside the jails have become tense and unstable due to the abusive procedures against the detainees by the prison administration which still refuses to meet the prisoners' demands.
The Israeli prison administration in Ramon and Nafha detention centers has deprived prisoners from their families visit for a whole month because of their support and solidarity with the hunger striking captives.
For its part; al-Tadhamon Foundation for Human Rights confirmed in a statement that the prisoners in Ramon still suffer from medical neglect, in addition to the ongoing arbitrary measures against them.
Prisoner Saidi refuses to apologize to Israeli officer
Israeli court has offered the isolated prisoner Awad Saidi to reduce his sentence that would be issued in the coming weeks if he apologizes to an Israeli officer, who has attacked him earlier, human rights sources revealed.
Tadamun Foundation for Human Rights' lawyer, Muhammad Abid, said, in a press statement on Wednesday following his visit to the isolated prisoner Saidi in Beersheba prison, that the Israeli court has suggested to him about two weeks ago to apologize to the Israeli officer who has attacked him nearly a year ago in return of reducing his sentence.
Saidi has rejected the court's offer, saying that "if the Nahacon forces apologize to the prisoner Abbas Al-sayed for their assault on him, I'm ready to apologize to the officer in return."
The captive Saidi had attacked on April 5, 2012 an Israeli officer, causing him moderate injuries in response to attacking the prisoner Abbas al-Sayed, chairman of the leadership of Hamas' prisoners in Israeli occupation jails, by Israeli forces in his cell. Saidi was isolated since then.
The foundation lawyer stated that for the first time since 6 months the IPS has provided him with TV and radio as well as new clothes, where he remained in the same clothes over the previous period.
It is scheduled that Saidi's court session, concerning attacking the officer, will be held on March 24, where the Israeli prosecution called for adding 4 years to his former sentence, the human rights Foundation stated.
The isolated prisoner Saidi, from Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, was arrested on February 12, 2004 where he was sentenced to 15 years, on charges of belonging to Hamas movement and participating in attacks against Israeli targets.
Tadamun Foundation for Human Rights' lawyer, Muhammad Abid, said, in a press statement on Wednesday following his visit to the isolated prisoner Saidi in Beersheba prison, that the Israeli court has suggested to him about two weeks ago to apologize to the Israeli officer who has attacked him nearly a year ago in return of reducing his sentence.
Saidi has rejected the court's offer, saying that "if the Nahacon forces apologize to the prisoner Abbas Al-sayed for their assault on him, I'm ready to apologize to the officer in return."
The captive Saidi had attacked on April 5, 2012 an Israeli officer, causing him moderate injuries in response to attacking the prisoner Abbas al-Sayed, chairman of the leadership of Hamas' prisoners in Israeli occupation jails, by Israeli forces in his cell. Saidi was isolated since then.
The foundation lawyer stated that for the first time since 6 months the IPS has provided him with TV and radio as well as new clothes, where he remained in the same clothes over the previous period.
It is scheduled that Saidi's court session, concerning attacking the officer, will be held on March 24, where the Israeli prosecution called for adding 4 years to his former sentence, the human rights Foundation stated.
The isolated prisoner Saidi, from Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, was arrested on February 12, 2004 where he was sentenced to 15 years, on charges of belonging to Hamas movement and participating in attacks against Israeli targets.
IOF soldiers detain youth activists
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested two youth activists in Al-Khalil on Wednesday night while participating in an anti-racism rally.
Sources in the youth group against settlement said that IOF soldiers detained the head of that group and his deputy during a protest rally in Shuhada street in downtown Al-Khalil.
Both activists, who were taken blindfolded and handcuffed, were previously detained on several occasions at the hands of the IOF for participating in rallies demanding the opening of the once bustling Shuhada street and to revive commercial activity in the Old City and to preserve its historical and Islamic landmarks.
Sources in the youth group against settlement said that IOF soldiers detained the head of that group and his deputy during a protest rally in Shuhada street in downtown Al-Khalil.
Both activists, who were taken blindfolded and handcuffed, were previously detained on several occasions at the hands of the IOF for participating in rallies demanding the opening of the once bustling Shuhada street and to revive commercial activity in the Old City and to preserve its historical and Islamic landmarks.
20 mar 2013
Occupation deprives prisoners in Raymond from visits for a whole month
A Palestinian human rights organization said that the Raymond prison administration informed the prisoners of its intention to deprive them of visits for a whole month, as a punishment for the hunger strike they waged on Tuesday.
Qahir Abu Kamal, spokesman for Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies in the occupied West Bank, said in a press release on Wednesday that the prisoners in the detention centers of Nafha, Eshel and Raymond waged on Tuesday a one-day hunger strike, demanding the implementation of the agreement reached after the Karama strike in April 2012, and in solidarity with the isolated captives Dirar Abu Sisi and Awad Al-Saidi.
Abu Kamal pointed out that the prisoners told the prison administration that this strike is a warning and that they will escalate their protests if their demands are not met.
He noted that the Israeli prison administration has taken more arbitrary procedures against the captives, and informed them they will be deprived of visits for a month, and threatened to take more measures in case the prisoners step up their protest.
Palestinian Prisoners Center appealed to the humanitarian institutions to intervene to save the prisoners and urged the UN Human Rights Council, which held a session yesterday to discuss issues of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, to expose the occupation crimes and prosecute Israel before the International Courts.
Meanwhile, Ahrar center for Prisoners studies and human rights demanded all the humanitarian and women's rights institutions to save the 12 female prisoners who are held in Israeli jails.
Fuad Al-Khuffash, the center’s director, said that the female prisoners suffer from harsh conditions in Hasharon jail, where they are deprived of visits lots of the times and where they are exposed to medical neglect leading to health deterioration.
Al-Khuffash added that the prisoners also suffer from mistreatment of soldiers inside the prison.
Qahir Abu Kamal, spokesman for Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies in the occupied West Bank, said in a press release on Wednesday that the prisoners in the detention centers of Nafha, Eshel and Raymond waged on Tuesday a one-day hunger strike, demanding the implementation of the agreement reached after the Karama strike in April 2012, and in solidarity with the isolated captives Dirar Abu Sisi and Awad Al-Saidi.
Abu Kamal pointed out that the prisoners told the prison administration that this strike is a warning and that they will escalate their protests if their demands are not met.
He noted that the Israeli prison administration has taken more arbitrary procedures against the captives, and informed them they will be deprived of visits for a month, and threatened to take more measures in case the prisoners step up their protest.
Palestinian Prisoners Center appealed to the humanitarian institutions to intervene to save the prisoners and urged the UN Human Rights Council, which held a session yesterday to discuss issues of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, to expose the occupation crimes and prosecute Israel before the International Courts.
Meanwhile, Ahrar center for Prisoners studies and human rights demanded all the humanitarian and women's rights institutions to save the 12 female prisoners who are held in Israeli jails.
Fuad Al-Khuffash, the center’s director, said that the female prisoners suffer from harsh conditions in Hasharon jail, where they are deprived of visits lots of the times and where they are exposed to medical neglect leading to health deterioration.
Al-Khuffash added that the prisoners also suffer from mistreatment of soldiers inside the prison.
Israeli court sentences Jerusalemite kid to one year for throwing firebomb
Israeli soldiers violently taking into custody a Palestinian minor (file photo)
The central court in occupied Jerusalem passed a one-year imprisonment term against a Jerusalemite kid for throwing a firebomb at a settlement outpost in Silwan.
The Wadi Hilwa information center said on Wednesday that Amer Zeidani, 17, was held in custody since start of the year and was sentenced on Tuesday.
It said that Zeidani was subjected to cruel interrogation rounds to force him to confess, adding that he appeared several times in court.
The central court in occupied Jerusalem passed a one-year imprisonment term against a Jerusalemite kid for throwing a firebomb at a settlement outpost in Silwan.
The Wadi Hilwa information center said on Wednesday that Amer Zeidani, 17, was held in custody since start of the year and was sentenced on Tuesday.
It said that Zeidani was subjected to cruel interrogation rounds to force him to confess, adding that he appeared several times in court.
Palestinians install protest village to greet US President Barack Obama
Protester dressed as ML King abducted in Hebron
As US President Barack Obama arrived for a two day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, hundreds of Palestinian non-violent activists set up a tent village at Bab al Shams (Door to the Sun) to challenge Israeli settlement policy and the US government’s tacit support for settlement expansion.
They say that the US government is complicit in Israeli expansion of settlements, which have taken over much of the Palestinian land in the West Bank in the last twenty years.
They told reporters, “An administration [Obama’s administration] that used the veto 43 times out of 79 between 1979 to 2011 in support of Israel and against Palestinian rights, an administration that grants military aid to Israel of over three billion dollars annually cannot have any positive contribution to achieve justice and rights of the Palestinian people.”
The new protest tent village is named ‘Ahfad Younis’, after the main character in the ‘Bab al Shams’ book by Lebanese author Elias Khoury. The book focuses on the plight of the Palestinian refugees, many of whom are still living in refugee camps in neighboring Arab countries including Lebanon for the third generation since their expulsion from what is now Israel in 1948.
Protesters constructed the tent village Wednesday morning near the site of the original Bab al Shams protest village outside Ramallah, which was installed and then demolished by Israeli forces two months ago. During that action, two hundred peaceful Palestinian demonstrators engaged in a sit-in, and were carried off one by one to prison by Israeli soldiers.
This marked a new stage in the Palestinian non-violent resistance movement, which previously focused mainly on non-violent marches at construction sites of the Israeli Wall. Organizers say they get their inspiration from the non-violent anti-colonial struggle in India led by Mahatma Gandhi, and by the civil rights movement in the US.
In a statement, the protesters marked four main aims of their demonstration:
1. To claim our right as Palestinians to return to our lands and villages
2. To claim our sovereignty over our lands without permission from anyone
3. To protect our land from continued confiscation and threat of settlement and colonization
4. To expand popular resistance as one form of resistance, out of many, that our people are engaged in everywhere.
Other protests in parts of the West Bank took place Wednesday as well, including in Hebron where protesters dressed in Martin Luther King masks and sang songs from the US civil rights movement. They said that they hoped to remind President Obama of the history of overcoming racism in the US, and to urge him to take action against similar racist policies enacted by Israel against the Palestinian people.
IOF soldiers quell anti-Obama demo in Al-Khalil, bulldoze land in Jenin
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled a Palestinian demonstration in Al-Khalil city on Wednesday protesting US president Barack Obama’s visit. Eyewitnesses told the PIC that Jewish settlers joined the soldiers in quelling and dispersing the demonstrators in Shuhada street.
They said that the soldiers arrested three Palestinians and beat up participants in the march.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers bulldozed cultivated land near a military roadblock to the south of Jenin.
Local sources said that the bulldozed land is near to the entrance of Mevo Dotan settlement, adding that the soldiers wanted to expand the army barrier at the expense of Palestinian land that is owned by Abu Bakir family and is planted with olives and almonds.
As US President Barack Obama arrived for a two day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, hundreds of Palestinian non-violent activists set up a tent village at Bab al Shams (Door to the Sun) to challenge Israeli settlement policy and the US government’s tacit support for settlement expansion.
They say that the US government is complicit in Israeli expansion of settlements, which have taken over much of the Palestinian land in the West Bank in the last twenty years.
They told reporters, “An administration [Obama’s administration] that used the veto 43 times out of 79 between 1979 to 2011 in support of Israel and against Palestinian rights, an administration that grants military aid to Israel of over three billion dollars annually cannot have any positive contribution to achieve justice and rights of the Palestinian people.”
The new protest tent village is named ‘Ahfad Younis’, after the main character in the ‘Bab al Shams’ book by Lebanese author Elias Khoury. The book focuses on the plight of the Palestinian refugees, many of whom are still living in refugee camps in neighboring Arab countries including Lebanon for the third generation since their expulsion from what is now Israel in 1948.
Protesters constructed the tent village Wednesday morning near the site of the original Bab al Shams protest village outside Ramallah, which was installed and then demolished by Israeli forces two months ago. During that action, two hundred peaceful Palestinian demonstrators engaged in a sit-in, and were carried off one by one to prison by Israeli soldiers.
This marked a new stage in the Palestinian non-violent resistance movement, which previously focused mainly on non-violent marches at construction sites of the Israeli Wall. Organizers say they get their inspiration from the non-violent anti-colonial struggle in India led by Mahatma Gandhi, and by the civil rights movement in the US.
In a statement, the protesters marked four main aims of their demonstration:
1. To claim our right as Palestinians to return to our lands and villages
2. To claim our sovereignty over our lands without permission from anyone
3. To protect our land from continued confiscation and threat of settlement and colonization
4. To expand popular resistance as one form of resistance, out of many, that our people are engaged in everywhere.
Other protests in parts of the West Bank took place Wednesday as well, including in Hebron where protesters dressed in Martin Luther King masks and sang songs from the US civil rights movement. They said that they hoped to remind President Obama of the history of overcoming racism in the US, and to urge him to take action against similar racist policies enacted by Israel against the Palestinian people.
IOF soldiers quell anti-Obama demo in Al-Khalil, bulldoze land in Jenin
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled a Palestinian demonstration in Al-Khalil city on Wednesday protesting US president Barack Obama’s visit. Eyewitnesses told the PIC that Jewish settlers joined the soldiers in quelling and dispersing the demonstrators in Shuhada street.
They said that the soldiers arrested three Palestinians and beat up participants in the march.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers bulldozed cultivated land near a military roadblock to the south of Jenin.
Local sources said that the bulldozed land is near to the entrance of Mevo Dotan settlement, adding that the soldiers wanted to expand the army barrier at the expense of Palestinian land that is owned by Abu Bakir family and is planted with olives and almonds.
Israeli Court postpones looking into the appeal of Azzedine and Ka'adan
Ofer Court refused today the strikers Tarek Kaadan and Jaafar Azzedine's request to set a hearing for their appeal three weeks after they obtained a resolution fixing their administrative detentions to three months, in preparation for their release scheduled for 22 May.
The strikers' lawyer, Jawad Boulos, said that he submitted a request to Ofer military court to set a hearing for the strikers' appeals after passing more than three weeks without setting a hearing date.
The lawyer stressed that the Israeli court's procrastination policy in setting the hearings is unacceptable policy that aims to undermine the prisoners' will.
The strikers' appeals were presented after Ofer Military Court issued a resolution fixing their administrative detentions for three months ending on May 22, the lawyer said, stressing that the military court confirmed at the time that these orders will be final.
The strikers' lawyer, Jawad Boulos, said that he submitted a request to Ofer military court to set a hearing for the strikers' appeals after passing more than three weeks without setting a hearing date.
The lawyer stressed that the Israeli court's procrastination policy in setting the hearings is unacceptable policy that aims to undermine the prisoners' will.
The strikers' appeals were presented after Ofer Military Court issued a resolution fixing their administrative detentions for three months ending on May 22, the lawyer said, stressing that the military court confirmed at the time that these orders will be final.
Sharawna: capturing Israeli soldiers is the only way to release prisoners
The Palestinian liberated prisoner Ayman Sharawna said that negotiations between him and the occupation to stop his hunger strike without his release all failed Sharawna arrived on Sunday to the Gaza Strip after accepting an Israeli offer to be banished to Gaza for 10 years
The occupation has presented several offers to stop the strike but I refused them due to their tight conditions in order to remove the 28-year sentence, Sharawna told PIC reporter on Tuesday.
The occupation forces had re-arrested Sharawna few months after his release in the Shalit deal, imposing his previous sentence on him, leading him to declare a hunger strike.
Sharawna stated that the occupation exercised all pressure methods to undermine his strike, but he stayed patient until his release.
He pointed out that the Israeli occupation has committed two crimes against him, the first was his re-arrest after his release in Wafa al-Ahrar deal and the other was his deportation to the Gaza Strip following his release.
Sharawna stated that his will has triumphed over the occupation through a hunger strike that lasted for 261 days, saying that his hunger strike came to protect the liberated prisoners from the West Bank from being re-arrested, and as an appreciation for the blood of the martyrs of the Gaza Strip over the past years.
The Israeli deal was to deport me to Gaza on condition not to let me out, but I succeeded to reduce the conditions and to travel from Gaza whenever and wherever I want, Sharawna added.
Regarding prisoners' situation, Sharawna confirmed that they are subjected to severe violations by the IPS, especially those who have spent many years in Israeli jails, stressing that negotiation to free the prisoners have failed for years, and only through resistance and capturing Israeli soldiers we could liberate all prisoners.
Sharawna greeted the Gazan people from their warm reception that reflects the prisoners' victory in Israeli jails.
Jerusalemites stage solidarity sit-in with hunger strikers
Representatives of National and Islamic forces in occupied Jerusalem staged a solidarity sit-in on Tuesday with detained Palestinian hunger strikers. Participants raised posters demanding the immediate release of Samer Al-Issawi, a Jerusalemite, who has been on hunger strike for 241 days.
They also asked for releasing all prisoners especially those on hunger strike from Israeli occupation jails.
Nasser Qaws, the director of the Palestinian prisoner’s society in Jerusalem, said that the inhabitants insisted on staging their sit-in near the American consulate despite the Israeli occupation authority’s objections.
“We don’t need a permit from occupation to protest and demand our legitimate rights,” he added.
For her part, Shireen, Samer’s sister and a lawyer, said that the protestors were demanding release of all 4700 Palestinian prisoners.
She said that her brother was held in Kaplan hospital in a very serious condition.
The occupation has presented several offers to stop the strike but I refused them due to their tight conditions in order to remove the 28-year sentence, Sharawna told PIC reporter on Tuesday.
The occupation forces had re-arrested Sharawna few months after his release in the Shalit deal, imposing his previous sentence on him, leading him to declare a hunger strike.
Sharawna stated that the occupation exercised all pressure methods to undermine his strike, but he stayed patient until his release.
He pointed out that the Israeli occupation has committed two crimes against him, the first was his re-arrest after his release in Wafa al-Ahrar deal and the other was his deportation to the Gaza Strip following his release.
Sharawna stated that his will has triumphed over the occupation through a hunger strike that lasted for 261 days, saying that his hunger strike came to protect the liberated prisoners from the West Bank from being re-arrested, and as an appreciation for the blood of the martyrs of the Gaza Strip over the past years.
The Israeli deal was to deport me to Gaza on condition not to let me out, but I succeeded to reduce the conditions and to travel from Gaza whenever and wherever I want, Sharawna added.
Regarding prisoners' situation, Sharawna confirmed that they are subjected to severe violations by the IPS, especially those who have spent many years in Israeli jails, stressing that negotiation to free the prisoners have failed for years, and only through resistance and capturing Israeli soldiers we could liberate all prisoners.
Sharawna greeted the Gazan people from their warm reception that reflects the prisoners' victory in Israeli jails.
Jerusalemites stage solidarity sit-in with hunger strikers
Representatives of National and Islamic forces in occupied Jerusalem staged a solidarity sit-in on Tuesday with detained Palestinian hunger strikers. Participants raised posters demanding the immediate release of Samer Al-Issawi, a Jerusalemite, who has been on hunger strike for 241 days.
They also asked for releasing all prisoners especially those on hunger strike from Israeli occupation jails.
Nasser Qaws, the director of the Palestinian prisoner’s society in Jerusalem, said that the inhabitants insisted on staging their sit-in near the American consulate despite the Israeli occupation authority’s objections.
“We don’t need a permit from occupation to protest and demand our legitimate rights,” he added.
For her part, Shireen, Samer’s sister and a lawyer, said that the protestors were demanding release of all 4700 Palestinian prisoners.
She said that her brother was held in Kaplan hospital in a very serious condition.
IOF soldiers detain 50 schoolchildren in Al-Khalil, obstruct traffic near Jenin
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) detained 50 Palestinian schoolchildren in the Old City of Al-Khalil on Wednesday morning.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that IOF soldiers installed a roadblock in the middle of a street that leads to several schools in the southern areas of the Old City.
They said that the soldiers searched bags of all passing students and took away 50 of them from the elementary, intermediate and secondary stages from a number of schools including UNRWA-run ones.
The witnesses pointed out that none of the 50 students was released from the military position they were taken to.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers blocked traffic at the entrance to Yabad village, south of Jenin, on Wednesday morning, locals said.
They said that the soldiers detained scores of vehicles, searched them, and asked for IDs of all those boarding them, creating traffic congestion in the process and delaying arrival of employees to their workplaces.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that IOF soldiers installed a roadblock in the middle of a street that leads to several schools in the southern areas of the Old City.
They said that the soldiers searched bags of all passing students and took away 50 of them from the elementary, intermediate and secondary stages from a number of schools including UNRWA-run ones.
The witnesses pointed out that none of the 50 students was released from the military position they were taken to.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers blocked traffic at the entrance to Yabad village, south of Jenin, on Wednesday morning, locals said.
They said that the soldiers detained scores of vehicles, searched them, and asked for IDs of all those boarding them, creating traffic congestion in the process and delaying arrival of employees to their workplaces.
IOF soldiers arrest citizen, quell protests in refugee camp
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian man and quelled protests in Fawar refugee camp, south of Al-Khalil, on Tuesday after storming it.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that IOF soldiers arrested a citizen of the Khatib family after confrontations erupted between them and citizens near the UNRWA school in the camp.
They said that the soldiers beat up Khatib before taking him away, adding that they also detained a child for a few hours.
The witnesses said that the confrontations took place after IOF soldiers broke into the camp in a number of army jeeps.
Meanwhile, local sources said that IOF soldiers were seen deployed near Beit Ummar village and Arub refugee camp, north of Al-Khalil, since afternoon hours Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that IOF soldiers arrested a citizen of the Khatib family after confrontations erupted between them and citizens near the UNRWA school in the camp.
They said that the soldiers beat up Khatib before taking him away, adding that they also detained a child for a few hours.
The witnesses said that the confrontations took place after IOF soldiers broke into the camp in a number of army jeeps.
Meanwhile, local sources said that IOF soldiers were seen deployed near Beit Ummar village and Arub refugee camp, north of Al-Khalil, since afternoon hours Tuesday.
Israeli military court extends remand of cartoonist
The Israeli military court in Salem turned down a request by lawyer of cartoonist Mohammed Sabana to release him.
The director of the legal section in the Palestinian prisoner’s society, Jawad Bulous, said that the military judge decided to retain Sabana in custody for further investigation.
He said that the judge accepted the prosecution’s request for more time to prepare an indictment list against Sabana.
The lawyer said that the judge gave the prosecution until Thursday to table its indictment despite the lawyer’s opposition for such delay. He added that intelligence interrogation did not prove that Sabana was involved in any violation or worthwhile charge.
The director of the legal section in the Palestinian prisoner’s society, Jawad Bulous, said that the military judge decided to retain Sabana in custody for further investigation.
He said that the judge accepted the prosecution’s request for more time to prepare an indictment list against Sabana.
The lawyer said that the judge gave the prosecution until Thursday to table its indictment despite the lawyer’s opposition for such delay. He added that intelligence interrogation did not prove that Sabana was involved in any violation or worthwhile charge.
19 mar 2013
IOF installs new monitoring cameras in Al-Khalil
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) installed new monitoring cameras in the Old City of Al-Khalil and Shuhada street.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC on Tuesday that the IOF renewed the old cameras to monitor movement of Palestinians in the alleys and streets of the Old City and installed new ones in areas that witnessed confrontations between the troops and inhabitants.
They said that four cameras were installed in Beit Hadassah and Shuhada street and near the roadblock in Zawiya area. IOF undercover agents arrested 15 Palestinians in Zawiya area after monitoring them through those cameras.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC on Tuesday that the IOF renewed the old cameras to monitor movement of Palestinians in the alleys and streets of the Old City and installed new ones in areas that witnessed confrontations between the troops and inhabitants.
They said that four cameras were installed in Beit Hadassah and Shuhada street and near the roadblock in Zawiya area. IOF undercover agents arrested 15 Palestinians in Zawiya area after monitoring them through those cameras.
Public meeting at house of lords will discuss Jerusalem exiled MPs
Since the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections in 2006, parliamentarians from Jerusalem (including a former minister) have suffered intimidation, imprisonment and forced deportation, by the Israeli authorities.
A new report, released this week, by the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, UK (AOHR), catalogues the campaign by Israeli Authority agencies against PLC officials; Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Teir, Ahmed Mohammed Atoun, Mohammad Imran Totah and the former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Khaled Ibrahim Abu Arafah.
“This is certainly not the first time that Israel has deported Jerusalemites from their city; there have been thousands of incidents like this in an effort to change the identity of the city” says M Jamil, Deputy Chairman of AOHR.
On Wednesday March 20th 2013, a public meeting will take place at the House of Lords, London, hosted by Baroness Jenny Tonge, who writes:
'I urge all the democratic peoples of Europe and the USA to call for justice for these men and to take steps to force the Israeli authorities to release and return the MP's, who it must be emphasised, have neither committed nor been charged with any criminal act,' she says.
The four politicians named in the report, are currently either under administrative detention in Israeli prisons, or living in forced exile in Ramallah, West Bank.
A new report, released this week, by the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, UK (AOHR), catalogues the campaign by Israeli Authority agencies against PLC officials; Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Teir, Ahmed Mohammed Atoun, Mohammad Imran Totah and the former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Khaled Ibrahim Abu Arafah.
“This is certainly not the first time that Israel has deported Jerusalemites from their city; there have been thousands of incidents like this in an effort to change the identity of the city” says M Jamil, Deputy Chairman of AOHR.
On Wednesday March 20th 2013, a public meeting will take place at the House of Lords, London, hosted by Baroness Jenny Tonge, who writes:
'I urge all the democratic peoples of Europe and the USA to call for justice for these men and to take steps to force the Israeli authorities to release and return the MP's, who it must be emphasised, have neither committed nor been charged with any criminal act,' she says.
The four politicians named in the report, are currently either under administrative detention in Israeli prisons, or living in forced exile in Ramallah, West Bank.
Most of the recent Israeli arrests were carried out by undercover units
Most of the Israeli arrest campaigns against Palestinian youths were carried out by Israeli undercover units, a Palestinian Human Rights organization revealed.
Ahrar Center for Prisoners' Studies and Human Rights, confirmed in a press statement on Tuesday, that most of recent Israeli arrests against Palestinian youths in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem were carried out by undercover units disguised in civilian clothes.
The center stressed that these units are known for their barbaric and brutal ways in arresting Palestinians, pointing out that most of the detainees who were detained during the recent arrest campaign are children.
Ahrar Center for Prisoners' Studies and Human Rights, confirmed in a press statement on Tuesday, that most of recent Israeli arrests against Palestinian youths in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem were carried out by undercover units disguised in civilian clothes.
The center stressed that these units are known for their barbaric and brutal ways in arresting Palestinians, pointing out that most of the detainees who were detained during the recent arrest campaign are children.
IOF kidnap nine Palestinians today in W. Bank
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped Tuesday morning nine Palestinian citizens in different West Bank areas.
The citizens were kidnapped during violent raids on towns and refugee camps in Jenin and Al-Khalil cities. In an earlier incident, the IOF kidnapped at dawn Monday two Palestinians from their homes in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus city.
The IOF also clashed with Palestinian young men on Monday afternoon near Jenin city and intensified its military measures in the vicinity of Nablus city.
Local sources said that the clashes broke out after Israeli soldiers set up barriers at the entrance to Jaba village near Jenin and embarked on stopping vehicles and checking IDs, adding that several citizens suffered tear gas suffocation during the events.
The IOF also established a checkpoint near Yitzhar settlement south of Nablus and tightened its military measures at other checkpoints, like Za'tara, Badan and Deir Sharaf, according to eyewitnesses.
They reported that the IOF at the checkpoints questioned the Palestinian passersby and checked their IDs.
Similar clashes also took place yesterday evening between young men and Israeli troops in Al-Arroub refugee camp north of Al-Khalil. Many Palestinian young men were reportedly wounded when the IOF intensively fired tear gas grenades and rubber bullets.
The citizens were kidnapped during violent raids on towns and refugee camps in Jenin and Al-Khalil cities. In an earlier incident, the IOF kidnapped at dawn Monday two Palestinians from their homes in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus city.
The IOF also clashed with Palestinian young men on Monday afternoon near Jenin city and intensified its military measures in the vicinity of Nablus city.
Local sources said that the clashes broke out after Israeli soldiers set up barriers at the entrance to Jaba village near Jenin and embarked on stopping vehicles and checking IDs, adding that several citizens suffered tear gas suffocation during the events.
The IOF also established a checkpoint near Yitzhar settlement south of Nablus and tightened its military measures at other checkpoints, like Za'tara, Badan and Deir Sharaf, according to eyewitnesses.
They reported that the IOF at the checkpoints questioned the Palestinian passersby and checked their IDs.
Similar clashes also took place yesterday evening between young men and Israeli troops in Al-Arroub refugee camp north of Al-Khalil. Many Palestinian young men were reportedly wounded when the IOF intensively fired tear gas grenades and rubber bullets.
ISR Police Kidnaps Two Children In Jerusalem
Deena And Her Brother Mohammad
Two children identified as Deena Morad Jweiles, 14, and her brother Mohammad, 12, have been kidnapped by the Israeli Police after being attacked and harassed by an Israeli settler in Wadi Hilweh, in Silwan, in occupied East Jerusalem, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported.
The center said that an Israeli settler, age 14, living in an illegal settlement outpost in Silwan, attacked the two children as they were heading to school, and sprayed pepper-spray at them.
Their father said that Deena and Mohammad were trying to defend themselves, and that his daughter was carrying butter knife in her bag, as she uses it to prepare sandwiches for herself and for her brother.
After being attacked by the settler, she took the knife out and was waving it around in an attempt to scare the settler hoping he would run away.
He added that guards of the “City of David” settlement detained his son and daughter and called for the Police. They were then arrested, and were charged with “attempting to stab” the settler.
They were taken to an Israeli Police station in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, and were interrogated for six hours (from 7:30 in the morning until 1:30 in the afternoon).
The two were released on bail (3000NIS each), and Deena was also ordered not to approach or use the Wadi Hilweh road for ten days.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said that this was not the first time this settler child attacked the two brothers, as he attacked them on Friday evening while they played in one of the alleys of Wadi Hilweh.
The settler tried to spray their faces with pepper spray, but accidentally sprayed his own face, he also poked the eye of Mohammad, causing a minor injury, and tried to hit the two with a baton he carried.
The Center added that residents of Wadi Hilweh are subject to frequent attacks carried out by settlers and settlement guards, as Palestinian children have been repeatedly sprayed with gas and pepper spray, and that settlers vehicles have rammed several children in numerous hit and run incidents.
It also stated that the children have also been repeatedly subject to verbal abuse and harassment by the settlers, and added that most settler children in Silwan carry pepper spray and cameras, some also carry batons, and frequently walk around the area accompanied by armed settlement guards.
Israeli police detain school children assaulted by fanatic settler
The Israeli police detained on Monday two children, Dina Joiless, aged 14, and her brother Mohamed, 12, after a Jewish settler attacked them on their way to school in Wadi Hilwa neighborhood of Silwan district. The information center of Wadi Hilwa said that a Jewish settler bullied the two kids in the morning as they were walking to their school and sprayed them with some kind of gas.
The center quoted the father as saying that Dina and Mohamed were very scared and tried to defend themselves, especially his daughter who took a food knife she usually keeps in her school bag and pointed it at the Jewish assailant to fend him off.
He added that Israeli guards from the outpost City of David near Silwan showed up and detained his children before they called the police and accused them of attempting to stab the settler.
The father noted that even the Israeli guards bullied his children and intimidated them before they handed them over to policemen who took them to Qashleh police station in the old city of Jerusalem.
Afterwards, the father said, the police interrogated his kids from 7:30 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon and fined each of them 3,000 shekels
The police also ordered his daughter not to get close to Wadi Hilwa road for 10 days and be ready to be cited for any day for possession of a knife.
The information center of Wadi Hilwa affirmed that the same Jewish assailant had already attacked these two children last Friday afternoon when they were playing in one of the alleys of Wadi Hilwa.
The assailant tried then to spray the kids with some sort of gas, but he mistakenly sprayed his own face. He also beat them with a stick and poked his fingers into Mohamed's eyes, the center added.
In a related context, Ahrar center for prisoner studies and human rights accused Israel of suppressing the Palestinian children under age 16 and violating their rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Director of the center Fouad Al-Khafsh stated that the Israeli occupation forces escalated its detention and kidnapping of Palestinian school children without any guilt or on false charges.
Kafsh added that the Israeli security and military forces intimidate the detained children into signing papers containing false confessions written in Hebrew and force their parents to pay a lot of money to bail them out.
Two children identified as Deena Morad Jweiles, 14, and her brother Mohammad, 12, have been kidnapped by the Israeli Police after being attacked and harassed by an Israeli settler in Wadi Hilweh, in Silwan, in occupied East Jerusalem, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported.
The center said that an Israeli settler, age 14, living in an illegal settlement outpost in Silwan, attacked the two children as they were heading to school, and sprayed pepper-spray at them.
Their father said that Deena and Mohammad were trying to defend themselves, and that his daughter was carrying butter knife in her bag, as she uses it to prepare sandwiches for herself and for her brother.
After being attacked by the settler, she took the knife out and was waving it around in an attempt to scare the settler hoping he would run away.
He added that guards of the “City of David” settlement detained his son and daughter and called for the Police. They were then arrested, and were charged with “attempting to stab” the settler.
They were taken to an Israeli Police station in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, and were interrogated for six hours (from 7:30 in the morning until 1:30 in the afternoon).
The two were released on bail (3000NIS each), and Deena was also ordered not to approach or use the Wadi Hilweh road for ten days.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said that this was not the first time this settler child attacked the two brothers, as he attacked them on Friday evening while they played in one of the alleys of Wadi Hilweh.
The settler tried to spray their faces with pepper spray, but accidentally sprayed his own face, he also poked the eye of Mohammad, causing a minor injury, and tried to hit the two with a baton he carried.
The Center added that residents of Wadi Hilweh are subject to frequent attacks carried out by settlers and settlement guards, as Palestinian children have been repeatedly sprayed with gas and pepper spray, and that settlers vehicles have rammed several children in numerous hit and run incidents.
It also stated that the children have also been repeatedly subject to verbal abuse and harassment by the settlers, and added that most settler children in Silwan carry pepper spray and cameras, some also carry batons, and frequently walk around the area accompanied by armed settlement guards.
Israeli police detain school children assaulted by fanatic settler
The Israeli police detained on Monday two children, Dina Joiless, aged 14, and her brother Mohamed, 12, after a Jewish settler attacked them on their way to school in Wadi Hilwa neighborhood of Silwan district. The information center of Wadi Hilwa said that a Jewish settler bullied the two kids in the morning as they were walking to their school and sprayed them with some kind of gas.
The center quoted the father as saying that Dina and Mohamed were very scared and tried to defend themselves, especially his daughter who took a food knife she usually keeps in her school bag and pointed it at the Jewish assailant to fend him off.
He added that Israeli guards from the outpost City of David near Silwan showed up and detained his children before they called the police and accused them of attempting to stab the settler.
The father noted that even the Israeli guards bullied his children and intimidated them before they handed them over to policemen who took them to Qashleh police station in the old city of Jerusalem.
Afterwards, the father said, the police interrogated his kids from 7:30 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon and fined each of them 3,000 shekels
The police also ordered his daughter not to get close to Wadi Hilwa road for 10 days and be ready to be cited for any day for possession of a knife.
The information center of Wadi Hilwa affirmed that the same Jewish assailant had already attacked these two children last Friday afternoon when they were playing in one of the alleys of Wadi Hilwa.
The assailant tried then to spray the kids with some sort of gas, but he mistakenly sprayed his own face. He also beat them with a stick and poked his fingers into Mohamed's eyes, the center added.
In a related context, Ahrar center for prisoner studies and human rights accused Israel of suppressing the Palestinian children under age 16 and violating their rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Director of the center Fouad Al-Khafsh stated that the Israeli occupation forces escalated its detention and kidnapping of Palestinian school children without any guilt or on false charges.
Kafsh added that the Israeli security and military forces intimidate the detained children into signing papers containing false confessions written in Hebrew and force their parents to pay a lot of money to bail them out.
