3 may 2013
Female detainee says denied medicine in Israeli jail
A 27-year-old woman from Bethlehem says she is being mistreated and denied medicine in Israeli custody, her lawyer said Friday.
Israeli forces detained Hiba Bahjat on April 2 from her home in Doha, south of Bethlehem, and confiscated her cell phone, computer and wedding album
Shirin Iraqi, a lawyer from the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, visited Bahjat in Hasharon prison.
Bahjat told the lawyer she was blindfolded, handcuffed and deprived of sleep during interrogations in Ashkelon prison, a ministry statement said. She needs medication for a stomach problem and is in extreme pain because Israeli authorities took her medicine from her.
She says Israeli interrogators questioned her over a visit she made to relatives in Gaza, and that they used a lie detector during the investigation.
Bahjat has two daughters, aged 5 and 7.
Israeli forces detained Hiba Bahjat on April 2 from her home in Doha, south of Bethlehem, and confiscated her cell phone, computer and wedding album
Shirin Iraqi, a lawyer from the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, visited Bahjat in Hasharon prison.
Bahjat told the lawyer she was blindfolded, handcuffed and deprived of sleep during interrogations in Ashkelon prison, a ministry statement said. She needs medication for a stomach problem and is in extreme pain because Israeli authorities took her medicine from her.
She says Israeli interrogators questioned her over a visit she made to relatives in Gaza, and that they used a lie detector during the investigation.
Bahjat has two daughters, aged 5 and 7.
IPS isolates the Jordanian hunger strikers
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has isolated the Jordanian prisoners who declared an open hunger strike protesting their detention conditions and to pressure the Jordanian government to intervene for their release, Palestinian human rights sources revealed.
The Waad Association for the Support of Palestinian Prisoners confirmed that the IPS has threatened the Jordanian striking prisoners to turn them to solitary confinement.
The 25 Jordanian prisoners in Israeli jails have declared an open hunger strike starting on Thursday protesting their government's neglect of their issue in light of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty.
The Waad Association for the Support of Palestinian Prisoners confirmed that the IPS has threatened the Jordanian striking prisoners to turn them to solitary confinement.
The 25 Jordanian prisoners in Israeli jails have declared an open hunger strike starting on Thursday protesting their government's neglect of their issue in light of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty.
Occupation arrests 3 Palestinians who complained of trespassing settlers
B'Tselem organization reported that the Israeli army arrested three Palestinian citizens after they complained of settlers' attacks.
The human rights organization stated that a military court judge at Ofer Camp ordered the unconditional release from detention of the three Palestinian residents of al-Khalil, Shaker Zaro (Tamimi) and his two sons Shehab and Shukri, who had been arrested by soldiers summoned to deal with trespassing settlers.
B'Tselem said that the three Palestinians in question on Wednesday saw on their privately-owned land settlers from Giv’at Gal, and called the police to report the trespassing that was documented in video by B'Tselem's cameraman.
"When soldiers arrived on the scene, the Palestinians told them that this was their own land and that they wanted the trespassers removed. The soldiers ignored these explanations. Rather than sending the settlers away, the soldiers arrested the Palestinians and took them to the Kiryat Arba Police Station. There, the police did not release the detainees."
The police demanded cash bail and a pledge that the Zaros will not go out to their land for 15 days. However, the detainees insisted that they were innocent and refused to pay any money or sign any pledge. Consequently, the police kept them in custody overnight, B'Tselem added.
It said: "On Thursday, 25 April, a hearing was held in the Ofer military court, with the prosecution seeking to extend the Palestinians’ remand. In response, defense counsel, Adv. Nery Ramati of the Gaby Lasky law firm, submitted video footage of the arrest and Shaker Tamimi’s land deeds."
In her decision, Justice Sharon Rivlin stated that “In the absence of any evidence that the suspects were not allowed to be at the site of their arrest, or that they had indeed perpetrated a prohibited act there, there are no grounds for arresting the suspects.”
The human rights organization stated that a military court judge at Ofer Camp ordered the unconditional release from detention of the three Palestinian residents of al-Khalil, Shaker Zaro (Tamimi) and his two sons Shehab and Shukri, who had been arrested by soldiers summoned to deal with trespassing settlers.
B'Tselem said that the three Palestinians in question on Wednesday saw on their privately-owned land settlers from Giv’at Gal, and called the police to report the trespassing that was documented in video by B'Tselem's cameraman.
"When soldiers arrived on the scene, the Palestinians told them that this was their own land and that they wanted the trespassers removed. The soldiers ignored these explanations. Rather than sending the settlers away, the soldiers arrested the Palestinians and took them to the Kiryat Arba Police Station. There, the police did not release the detainees."
The police demanded cash bail and a pledge that the Zaros will not go out to their land for 15 days. However, the detainees insisted that they were innocent and refused to pay any money or sign any pledge. Consequently, the police kept them in custody overnight, B'Tselem added.
It said: "On Thursday, 25 April, a hearing was held in the Ofer military court, with the prosecution seeking to extend the Palestinians’ remand. In response, defense counsel, Adv. Nery Ramati of the Gaby Lasky law firm, submitted video footage of the arrest and Shaker Tamimi’s land deeds."
In her decision, Justice Sharon Rivlin stated that “In the absence of any evidence that the suspects were not allowed to be at the site of their arrest, or that they had indeed perpetrated a prohibited act there, there are no grounds for arresting the suspects.”
IOF arrests 7 Palestinians in Jenin
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed at dawn on Friday Qabatiya and Ya'bad towns and the city of Jenin where they arrested 7 Palestinian citizens.
The IOF arrested Anas Sami Qakor, 32, after storming his house in the city of Jenin, local sources revealed.
The Israeli forces also raided Anin village west of Jenin and arrested the liberated prisoner Youssef Shaaban Yassin.
The sources added that an Israeli forces deployed in al-Maloul area south of Jenin and carried out combing operations and arrested Mahmoud Abu Baker.
Meanwhile, IOF stormed Qabatiya town for the second day in a row, and detained three citizens.
Local sources confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces closed Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin where they arrested an unknown person.
Eyewitnesses also said that the Israeli soldiers chased a young man at the checkpoint and arrested him and then took him into a military vehicle.
The IOF arrested Anas Sami Qakor, 32, after storming his house in the city of Jenin, local sources revealed.
The Israeli forces also raided Anin village west of Jenin and arrested the liberated prisoner Youssef Shaaban Yassin.
The sources added that an Israeli forces deployed in al-Maloul area south of Jenin and carried out combing operations and arrested Mahmoud Abu Baker.
Meanwhile, IOF stormed Qabatiya town for the second day in a row, and detained three citizens.
Local sources confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces closed Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin where they arrested an unknown person.
Eyewitnesses also said that the Israeli soldiers chased a young man at the checkpoint and arrested him and then took him into a military vehicle.
Occupation extends detention of two boys, including a wounded
An Israeli court in the Jalama detention center on Thursday extended for eight days the detention of two Palestinian boys, one of them wounded, from Jalboun village east of Jenin.
Ragheb Abu Diak head of the Popular Committee for the release of prisoners, told PIC's correspondent that the two boys Yazid and Ibrahim Abu al-Rob, aged 15, are still under interrogation at the Jalama center.
He added that there is concern about the health condition of Yazid Abu al-Rab, because during his arrest on 24 April he was shot in the foot.
Abu Diak pointed out that according to available information, the prison doctors are not treating the boy's wound, which poses significant danger to his foot and his health condition in general.
Ragheb Abu Diak head of the Popular Committee for the release of prisoners, told PIC's correspondent that the two boys Yazid and Ibrahim Abu al-Rob, aged 15, are still under interrogation at the Jalama center.
He added that there is concern about the health condition of Yazid Abu al-Rab, because during his arrest on 24 April he was shot in the foot.
Abu Diak pointed out that according to available information, the prison doctors are not treating the boy's wound, which poses significant danger to his foot and his health condition in general.
Israeli court sentences Palestinian journalist to 3 months imprisonment
An Israeli court sentenced on Thursday the correspondent of Al-Aqsa TV Channel in the West Bank to three months imprisonment and ordered him to pay a fine.
Ahrar Center for Prisoners' Studies and Human Rights said in a press statement that the Israeli court has sentenced journalist Tariq Abu Zaid to three months imprisonment and ordered him to pay 2000 shekel fine (550 U.S. dollars).
The Palestinian reporter was arrested without clear charges on March 8, 2013, while covering the anti-settlement weekly march in the town of Kafr Qaddum, near the city of Nablus.
Ahrar center added that the Israeli court had previously postponed the trial of captive Abu Zaid several times.
The human rights center condemned all violations against Palestinian journalists and demanded the international community to pressure the Israeli government to release the 12 journalists who have been detained while performing their legitimate professional activities.
Ahrar Center for Prisoners' Studies and Human Rights said in a press statement that the Israeli court has sentenced journalist Tariq Abu Zaid to three months imprisonment and ordered him to pay 2000 shekel fine (550 U.S. dollars).
The Palestinian reporter was arrested without clear charges on March 8, 2013, while covering the anti-settlement weekly march in the town of Kafr Qaddum, near the city of Nablus.
Ahrar center added that the Israeli court had previously postponed the trial of captive Abu Zaid several times.
The human rights center condemned all violations against Palestinian journalists and demanded the international community to pressure the Israeli government to release the 12 journalists who have been detained while performing their legitimate professional activities.
PA liaison officials secure release of Jenin teenager
Palestinian Authority liaison officials on Thursday secured the release of a teenager from Israeli custody.
Israeli forces detained Omar Abu Shamla, a 15-year-old from Yabad village near Jenin, on Wednesday evening and accused him of throwing stones.
PA liaison officers pressured their Israeli counterparts and secured the boy's release on Thursday night, they told Ma'an.
Israeli forces detained Omar Abu Shamla, a 15-year-old from Yabad village near Jenin, on Wednesday evening and accused him of throwing stones.
PA liaison officers pressured their Israeli counterparts and secured the boy's release on Thursday night, they told Ma'an.
Al-Taj given permit to be treated in Jerusalem hospital
Israel has given Muhammad al-Taj a permit to be treated in a Jerusalem hospital, after releasing him from prison on health grounds.
Israel pardoned al-Taj, who had carried out two long-term hunger strikes, in April after a serious deterioration in his health. He suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and heart hypertrophy.
Israel had previously banned al-Taj from Jerusalem and it is the first time the former prisoner has been allowed a permit to enter the city, the Palestine Center for Prisoner Studies said.
Several specialist Palestinian hospitals are in East Jerusalem but Palestinians need permission from Israel to access them.
Israel pardoned al-Taj, who had carried out two long-term hunger strikes, in April after a serious deterioration in his health. He suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and heart hypertrophy.
Israel had previously banned al-Taj from Jerusalem and it is the first time the former prisoner has been allowed a permit to enter the city, the Palestine Center for Prisoner Studies said.
Several specialist Palestinian hospitals are in East Jerusalem but Palestinians need permission from Israel to access them.
Occupation extends detention of Hamas leader Khaled al-Hajj
The Israeli Military Court at Jalama prison extended on Thursday the detention of the Hamas leader Sheikh Khaled al-Hajj, aged 48 from the village of Jalqamus in Jenin, for eight days pending further investigation.
Sheikh Khaled's wife told PIC's reporter that the Israeli court has extended her husband's detention, under the pretext that he is still under investigation at Jalama prison.
She expressed concern about the conditions of detention of her husband, who had previously served in the occupation jails more than 11 years, mostly in administrative detention.
The Hamas leader Khaled al-Hajj was arrested two weeks ago from his home in the city of Jenin, under the framework of a campaign of mass arrests recently waged against cadres and supporters of the resistance movement in the province.
Meanwhile, Tadhamun Foundation for Human Rights reported that the Israeli Salem Court has decided on Thursday afternoon to release university lecturer Professor Issam Rashid al-Ashqar, while it sentenced another Mr. Mustafa Shunnar, who suffers from cardiac problems, to 3 months of administrative detention.
The two lecturers, working at An-Najah National University, were arrested three days ago during raids of their houses in the area of Ma'ajin near Nablus.
Sheikh Khaled's wife told PIC's reporter that the Israeli court has extended her husband's detention, under the pretext that he is still under investigation at Jalama prison.
She expressed concern about the conditions of detention of her husband, who had previously served in the occupation jails more than 11 years, mostly in administrative detention.
The Hamas leader Khaled al-Hajj was arrested two weeks ago from his home in the city of Jenin, under the framework of a campaign of mass arrests recently waged against cadres and supporters of the resistance movement in the province.
Meanwhile, Tadhamun Foundation for Human Rights reported that the Israeli Salem Court has decided on Thursday afternoon to release university lecturer Professor Issam Rashid al-Ashqar, while it sentenced another Mr. Mustafa Shunnar, who suffers from cardiac problems, to 3 months of administrative detention.
The two lecturers, working at An-Najah National University, were arrested three days ago during raids of their houses in the area of Ma'ajin near Nablus.
2 may 2013
Prisoners' relatives reject PA decision to stop paying Israeli fines
Relatives of prisoners on Thursday criticized a Palestinian Authority decision to stop paying fines imposed by Israeli courts.
The PA Ministry of Prisoner Affairs recently announced it would stop paying fines issued by Israeli courts on June 1, to stop Israel benefiting from Palestinian public money.
"This decision is disastrous," said the wife of prisoner Ahmad al-Mughrabi, from Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem.
The PA should pay prisoners' fines, she told Ma'an. "They sacrificed for their homeland, and in return they should be given even a small reward. A day outside jail is better than 10 inside."
The mother of Firas Mousa, a detainee from al-Khader near Bethlehem, said the decision means families will be forced to pay fines.
"Even if the ministry refused to pay a fine on behalf of my son, as a mother I wouldn't accept that my son stay longer in jail, so I will pay the fine myself," she said.
But Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, urged families not to pay fines "to the occupation that fights them with their own money."
He said it would be better for detainees to "serve more years in jail than pay money to the occupation." The ministry was paying 13 million shekels ($3.65 million) a year to Israel, spending up to 4,000 shekels on each fine, he added.
The prisoners ministry decided to stop paying fines because they strengthen the Israeli treasury and do not help Palestinians' interests, Fares said.
"Until when will we have to pay the price of the gunshot which kills us?"
The PA Ministry of Prisoner Affairs recently announced it would stop paying fines issued by Israeli courts on June 1, to stop Israel benefiting from Palestinian public money.
"This decision is disastrous," said the wife of prisoner Ahmad al-Mughrabi, from Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem.
The PA should pay prisoners' fines, she told Ma'an. "They sacrificed for their homeland, and in return they should be given even a small reward. A day outside jail is better than 10 inside."
The mother of Firas Mousa, a detainee from al-Khader near Bethlehem, said the decision means families will be forced to pay fines.
"Even if the ministry refused to pay a fine on behalf of my son, as a mother I wouldn't accept that my son stay longer in jail, so I will pay the fine myself," she said.
But Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, urged families not to pay fines "to the occupation that fights them with their own money."
He said it would be better for detainees to "serve more years in jail than pay money to the occupation." The ministry was paying 13 million shekels ($3.65 million) a year to Israel, spending up to 4,000 shekels on each fine, he added.
The prisoners ministry decided to stop paying fines because they strengthen the Israeli treasury and do not help Palestinians' interests, Fares said.
"Until when will we have to pay the price of the gunshot which kills us?"
Prisoner Abu Armila on hunger strike to protest his administrative detention
Captive Mohammed Hassan Abu Armila, 42 from the Jenin refugee camp, announced entering an open-ended hunger strike to protest the continuation of his administrative detention.
Captive Abu Armila's wife confirmed to PIC's correspondent that her husband has started to refuse food on Wednesday.
She said that her husband “is suffering from several illnesses and that his health condition has deteriorated because of the conditions of his detention and the deprivation of treatment," and pointed out that he has been detained without charge or trial since October 6, 2011.
Muhammad's wife noted that her husband was sentenced to 6 months administrative detention that has been renewed for four times by the occupation authorities. He decided to go on hunger strike to protest the repeated renewal of his detention.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) lawyer revealed that the state of prisoner Mansour Moukida, from the town of Zawia west of Salfit, has seriously deteriorated as he began to suffer from sudden neck swelling.
The captive said that the Red Cross doctor told him that the appearance of such swelling which is not painful is very troubling and needs taking a sample for examination as soon as possible.
Captive Abu Armila's wife confirmed to PIC's correspondent that her husband has started to refuse food on Wednesday.
She said that her husband “is suffering from several illnesses and that his health condition has deteriorated because of the conditions of his detention and the deprivation of treatment," and pointed out that he has been detained without charge or trial since October 6, 2011.
Muhammad's wife noted that her husband was sentenced to 6 months administrative detention that has been renewed for four times by the occupation authorities. He decided to go on hunger strike to protest the repeated renewal of his detention.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) lawyer revealed that the state of prisoner Mansour Moukida, from the town of Zawia west of Salfit, has seriously deteriorated as he began to suffer from sudden neck swelling.
The captive said that the Red Cross doctor told him that the appearance of such swelling which is not painful is very troubling and needs taking a sample for examination as soon as possible.
IOF storms towns in the West Bank and arrests 9 citizens
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed the villages of Haris and Kifl Haris near the city of Salfit, in the northern West Bank, at dawn Thursday and arrested 7 Palestinian young men.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation soldiers in large numbers raided Haris village and arrested two youths, while they arrested five other young men from the nearby village of Kifl Haris.
Meanwhile, settlers from Yitzhar settlement threw stones at Palestinian passing vehicles on the settlement street on Thursday morning. No injuries were reported.
The settlers have also built an outpost near Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, the place where an Israeli settler had been killed two days ago
The IOF also stormed the village of Awarta, south east of Nablus, but no arrests were reported.
In Bethlehem, local sources reported that a Palestinian citizen from the town of Beit Sahour has been arrested after a raid on his home.
Another Israeli military force stormed the town of Beit Awwa in al-Khalil. A number of boys were questioned, while clashes broke out between the Palestinian young men and the Israeli soldiers in the town.
More than five Israeli military vehicles raided at dawn Kharsa village, southern Dura south of al-Khalil, and searched several houses. A Palestinian youth was arrested during the raid and taken to an unknown destination.
According to local sources, the Israeli soldiers intensified their presence at the entrances to the village.
Local sources said that Israeli occupation soldiers in large numbers raided Haris village and arrested two youths, while they arrested five other young men from the nearby village of Kifl Haris.
Meanwhile, settlers from Yitzhar settlement threw stones at Palestinian passing vehicles on the settlement street on Thursday morning. No injuries were reported.
The settlers have also built an outpost near Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, the place where an Israeli settler had been killed two days ago
The IOF also stormed the village of Awarta, south east of Nablus, but no arrests were reported.
In Bethlehem, local sources reported that a Palestinian citizen from the town of Beit Sahour has been arrested after a raid on his home.
Another Israeli military force stormed the town of Beit Awwa in al-Khalil. A number of boys were questioned, while clashes broke out between the Palestinian young men and the Israeli soldiers in the town.
More than five Israeli military vehicles raided at dawn Kharsa village, southern Dura south of al-Khalil, and searched several houses. A Palestinian youth was arrested during the raid and taken to an unknown destination.
According to local sources, the Israeli soldiers intensified their presence at the entrances to the village.
Occupation offers to deport prisoner Jamal Nouri outside the country
Captive Jamal Nouri appeared on Tuesday morning before Israeli military court in Eishel prison in Bir Sheva, where the judge offered to deport him outside the country.
Nouri's wife told PIC's reporter that the court offered to deport her husband for two years outside the occupied Palestinian territories.
Prisoner Nouri, 31, had gone on hunger strike two months ago demanding his release and to allow him see his wife and daughters, while the Prison Service administration has been refusing to meet his demands.
Nouri's wife noted that the court has not made a final decision on the issue of deportation, and that her husband will appear before the court once again on the 30th of this month.
She expressed doubts about the Prison Service's seriousness to release her husband; noting that it has been refusing over the past years to meet many of his legitimate demands, and had held him in solitary confinement for long months.
Nouri's wife told PIC's reporter that the court offered to deport her husband for two years outside the occupied Palestinian territories.
Prisoner Nouri, 31, had gone on hunger strike two months ago demanding his release and to allow him see his wife and daughters, while the Prison Service administration has been refusing to meet his demands.
Nouri's wife noted that the court has not made a final decision on the issue of deportation, and that her husband will appear before the court once again on the 30th of this month.
She expressed doubts about the Prison Service's seriousness to release her husband; noting that it has been refusing over the past years to meet many of his legitimate demands, and had held him in solitary confinement for long months.
Doctors discover two bullets in body of Palestinian prisoner
The Palestinian prisoner’s society in Al-Khalil said in a statement on Thursday that doctors discovered two bullets in the pelvis of Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Awad.
It said in a statement that Awad could be paralyzed if not properly treated, adding that he was hit with the bullets during his arrest in November 2012.
The society said that Awad did not realize then that the bullets were inside him but continued to complain of acute pain and after medical tests doctors found the two bullets.
Awad, who is held in Ramle prison hospital, has been detained since 18/11/2012.
It said in a statement that Awad could be paralyzed if not properly treated, adding that he was hit with the bullets during his arrest in November 2012.
The society said that Awad did not realize then that the bullets were inside him but continued to complain of acute pain and after medical tests doctors found the two bullets.
Awad, who is held in Ramle prison hospital, has been detained since 18/11/2012.
IOF Forces Arrest 5 Palestinians from Salfit, Bethlehem
Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn, four Palestinians from Hares village, west of Salfit and another from Beit Sahour, southeast of Bethlehem.
Eyewitnesses said that an Israeli military force raided Hares village and arrested Nadi Souf, 21, Marwan Kleib, 21, Ali Tayseer Shamlawi, 16, and Mahmoud Atta Sultan, 15.
Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian from the city of Beit Sahour.
Security source said that the forces arrested al-Khumsaini Ziyad Saliba Banoura after raiding and searching his house in Beit Sahour.
Eyewitnesses said that an Israeli military force raided Hares village and arrested Nadi Souf, 21, Marwan Kleib, 21, Ali Tayseer Shamlawi, 16, and Mahmoud Atta Sultan, 15.
Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian from the city of Beit Sahour.
Security source said that the forces arrested al-Khumsaini Ziyad Saliba Banoura after raiding and searching his house in Beit Sahour.
Israel Sentences Prisoner to 18 Months
Israeli Military court sentenced a 67-year-old Palestinian Sami Shabalo, to 18 months in Israeli jail. Director of Ahrar center for Prisoners Studies and Human Rights, Fuad Al-Khuffash, condemned the Israeli decision and said that the Israeli occupation forces have arrested Shabalo on May 21, from his home in the city of Nablus, after he returned from visiting his son Kamal who was deported to the Gaza Strip according to Shalit's deal between Hamas and occupation authorities after nine years of detention.
It's worth mentioning that the Israeli occupation didn't care about Shabalo's health condition and moved him from one prison to another. Shabalo suffers from severe pain in the left foot and in his body joints, also he suffers from dizziness and headache, in addition he has problems in prostate.
It's worth mentioning that the Israeli occupation didn't care about Shabalo's health condition and moved him from one prison to another. Shabalo suffers from severe pain in the left foot and in his body joints, also he suffers from dizziness and headache, in addition he has problems in prostate.
Israeli Forces Arrest Brother of Detainee, Severely Beat Him
Israeli occupation arrested Mohammed Asad al-Za'al, brother of the wounded detainee Salam al-Za'al, from his house in Shweikeh village in Tulkarem.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society said in a press release that Mohammed was transferred to al-Khdeireh Hospital after he was severely beaten by the Israeli forces.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society said in a press release that Mohammed was transferred to al-Khdeireh Hospital after he was severely beaten by the Israeli forces.
Israeli Soldiers Search Homes, kidnap a Civilian In Beit Sahour
An Israeli military force invaded the town of Beit Sahour near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, searched homes and kidnapped one man.
The kidnapped man was identified as Ziyad Saliba Bannoura in his 40s; he owns a blacksmith workshop.
Eyewitnesses told IMEMC that Israeli soldiers stormed Eskan el Room (The Greek Orthodox Housing Project) in Beit Sahour, searched the home of Bannoura and his son-in-law before taking him away.
The soldiers forced the two families, including children, out of their homes at gun point, and searched the homes, the witnesses added.
During the search, the soldiers caused excessive property damage in the two searched homes.
Soldiers also assaulted Bannoura’s son-in-law who was identified as Elias Khair.
The Israeli army gave no reason for the attack or he location where Bannoura was taken.
The kidnapped man was identified as Ziyad Saliba Bannoura in his 40s; he owns a blacksmith workshop.
Eyewitnesses told IMEMC that Israeli soldiers stormed Eskan el Room (The Greek Orthodox Housing Project) in Beit Sahour, searched the home of Bannoura and his son-in-law before taking him away.
The soldiers forced the two families, including children, out of their homes at gun point, and searched the homes, the witnesses added.
During the search, the soldiers caused excessive property damage in the two searched homes.
Soldiers also assaulted Bannoura’s son-in-law who was identified as Elias Khair.
The Israeli army gave no reason for the attack or he location where Bannoura was taken.
1 may 2013
Judge orders release of Eritrean woman, her 2 kids from jail
Beersheba District Court explains decision to release 2 girls together with mother from Saharonim Prison, saying: ‘Children are a special humanitarian issue.’ Hotline for Migrant Workers: ‘Decision will effect lives of dozens of infants, children’
Will all foreign children in the Saharonim facility be released? The Beersheba District Court, in its capacity as court for custodial issues, heard a motion filed by the Hotline for Migrant Workers in the name of three Eritrean citizens – a mother and her two daughters aged eight and 11 – who were appealing a decision of the Custodial Court not to release them.
Chief Justice Joseph Elon ruled that minors fall under "special humanitarian grounds" allowing their release from custody, and ordered that the three, who had been imprisoned for 10 months, be freed from Saharonim Prison, under terms to be decided on Wednesday by the Custodial Court.
The Infiltration Prevention Law enacted in June 2012 allows for the imprisonment of illegal migrants for a period three years and at times even more, without being tried. Currently, some 2,500 infiltrators are housed at Saharonim and Ketziot prisons, 41 of them children imprisoned with their parents. Of these, 15 are infants and toddlers up to the age of two, and 26 are children up to the age of 10.
To date and during the hearing itself, the government argued that because the law states that you can only release children and youth who came to Israel without their parents, the obvious conclusion is that children who come with their parents must remain in custody.
Judge Elon rejected the claims and stated that the release of minors for humanitarian reasons is a matter within judicial discretion, even when a minor is accompanied by his parents. "As a judge in the Administrative Court in Israel, I am not prepared to accept the respondent's (the Interior Ministry) contention that leaving a child of eight and her sister, of 11 in a custodial facility, does not itself raise 'special humanitarian grounds.’” "These things are obvious on an elementary moral and social level," wrote Elon. "It seems to me that in the overall balance, the infiltrators who are infants or young children are a separate subgroup, small in number, which requires separate consideration."
"Continuing to remain in custody for an indefinite period would no doubt significantly harm the children’s mental and social development," Elon added.
According to attorney Raya Meiler of the Migrant Worker Hotline, the ruling has implications on the lives of dozens of babies and children who have been imprisoned in detention centers for months, with no known release date. Following the judgment, the hotline is working to track down all minors currently in detention facilities to arrange their release.
"The fact that the State of Israel did not see anything wrong with children and adolescents growing up within detention facilities, shows more than anything that the country has dulled its senses when it comes to its attitude toward this group, its defense trampled on even the most basic rights of the helpless."
Will all foreign children in the Saharonim facility be released? The Beersheba District Court, in its capacity as court for custodial issues, heard a motion filed by the Hotline for Migrant Workers in the name of three Eritrean citizens – a mother and her two daughters aged eight and 11 – who were appealing a decision of the Custodial Court not to release them.
Chief Justice Joseph Elon ruled that minors fall under "special humanitarian grounds" allowing their release from custody, and ordered that the three, who had been imprisoned for 10 months, be freed from Saharonim Prison, under terms to be decided on Wednesday by the Custodial Court.
The Infiltration Prevention Law enacted in June 2012 allows for the imprisonment of illegal migrants for a period three years and at times even more, without being tried. Currently, some 2,500 infiltrators are housed at Saharonim and Ketziot prisons, 41 of them children imprisoned with their parents. Of these, 15 are infants and toddlers up to the age of two, and 26 are children up to the age of 10.
To date and during the hearing itself, the government argued that because the law states that you can only release children and youth who came to Israel without their parents, the obvious conclusion is that children who come with their parents must remain in custody.
Judge Elon rejected the claims and stated that the release of minors for humanitarian reasons is a matter within judicial discretion, even when a minor is accompanied by his parents. "As a judge in the Administrative Court in Israel, I am not prepared to accept the respondent's (the Interior Ministry) contention that leaving a child of eight and her sister, of 11 in a custodial facility, does not itself raise 'special humanitarian grounds.’” "These things are obvious on an elementary moral and social level," wrote Elon. "It seems to me that in the overall balance, the infiltrators who are infants or young children are a separate subgroup, small in number, which requires separate consideration."
"Continuing to remain in custody for an indefinite period would no doubt significantly harm the children’s mental and social development," Elon added.
According to attorney Raya Meiler of the Migrant Worker Hotline, the ruling has implications on the lives of dozens of babies and children who have been imprisoned in detention centers for months, with no known release date. Following the judgment, the hotline is working to track down all minors currently in detention facilities to arrange their release.
"The fact that the State of Israel did not see anything wrong with children and adolescents growing up within detention facilities, shows more than anything that the country has dulled its senses when it comes to its attitude toward this group, its defense trampled on even the most basic rights of the helpless."
IOF soldiers round up 4 citizens
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested four Palestinians at dawn Wednesday after storming a number of villages in Al-Khalil and Bethlehem provinces.
Palestinian security sources said that IOF soldiers nabbed two young men including a university student from Al-Khalil and a third youth in Beit Uwa village.
IOF soldiers also rounded up Thaer Masalma from downtown Bethlehem and took him to an unknown location.
Locals said that IOF troops broke into three suburbs in Al-Khalil city and roamed the town of Yatta for a few hours but without arrests reported, adding that the soldiers scrutinized IDs and detained youths for hours.
Palestinian security sources said that IOF soldiers nabbed two young men including a university student from Al-Khalil and a third youth in Beit Uwa village.
IOF soldiers also rounded up Thaer Masalma from downtown Bethlehem and took him to an unknown location.
Locals said that IOF troops broke into three suburbs in Al-Khalil city and roamed the town of Yatta for a few hours but without arrests reported, adding that the soldiers scrutinized IDs and detained youths for hours.
Official: Israel raids village near Tubas, arrests 1
Israeli tanks raided the al-Aqaba village north of Tubas in the occupied West Bank, causing damage to roads and agricultural lands, an official said.
Sami Sadeq, head of the local village council, said that a number of tanks raided the village without prior notice and detained 23-year-old Jihad Abdul Karim.
He accused the military of ignoring a high court decision banning tanks from entering villages due to the risk of damage.
Al-Aqaba is near a military site in Area C, territory in full control of the Israeli army.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was unaware of any military activity in al-Aqaba but confirmed four other overnight arrests across the West Bank.
Sami Sadeq, head of the local village council, said that a number of tanks raided the village without prior notice and detained 23-year-old Jihad Abdul Karim.
He accused the military of ignoring a high court decision banning tanks from entering villages due to the risk of damage.
Al-Aqaba is near a military site in Area C, territory in full control of the Israeli army.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was unaware of any military activity in al-Aqaba but confirmed four other overnight arrests across the West Bank.
IOF Forces Arrest Palestinians from Bethlehem, Hebron
Hazem al-Sharif
Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn, a youngster from Bethlehem and another from Hebron. Sources said that Israeli soldiers arrested Thaer Khader Masalmeh, 25, after the forces raided and searched his parents' house in al-Fawaghreh neighborhood in Bethlehem.
Israeli forces checked the IDs of the worshipers while coming out of a mosque in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem and detained them for a while.
The sources also said that the Israeli occupation raided Abu Ekteila area in Hebron and arrested Hazem al-Sharif, after the forces searched his house and rummaged with its contents.
Israeli forces set several military checkpoints at the entrances of Hebron villages, in Sa'ir and Halhoul and in several neighborhoods in Hebron. The soldiers stopped the Palestinians' vehicles, checked the passengers' IDs.
Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn, a youngster from Bethlehem and another from Hebron. Sources said that Israeli soldiers arrested Thaer Khader Masalmeh, 25, after the forces raided and searched his parents' house in al-Fawaghreh neighborhood in Bethlehem.
Israeli forces checked the IDs of the worshipers while coming out of a mosque in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem and detained them for a while.
The sources also said that the Israeli occupation raided Abu Ekteila area in Hebron and arrested Hazem al-Sharif, after the forces searched his house and rummaged with its contents.
Israeli forces set several military checkpoints at the entrances of Hebron villages, in Sa'ir and Halhoul and in several neighborhoods in Hebron. The soldiers stopped the Palestinians' vehicles, checked the passengers' IDs.
Lawyers banned from seeing suspect in settler stabbing
Israeli forces have banned lawyers from visiting a man suspected of fatally stabbing a settler in Nablus, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said Wednesday.
Salam al-Zaghal, from Tulkarem, on Tuesday fatally stabbed a settler while he waited at a hitch-hiking spot in the occupied West Bank.
Al-Zaghal was subsequently shot by Israeli border guards and transferred to hospital.
Israeli authorities informed the PPS that al-Zaghal is under anesthetic and is banned from receiving visits.
The PPS said they will continue efforts to visit the suspect.
Salam al-Zaghal, from Tulkarem, on Tuesday fatally stabbed a settler while he waited at a hitch-hiking spot in the occupied West Bank.
Al-Zaghal was subsequently shot by Israeli border guards and transferred to hospital.
Israeli authorities informed the PPS that al-Zaghal is under anesthetic and is banned from receiving visits.
The PPS said they will continue efforts to visit the suspect.
Israel releases prisoner from custody
Israeli forces released Omar Atallah Issa, 50, from prison on Tuesday, his family said.
Issa had spent five and a half years in jail, his brother said. He had previously been detained for four years.
Issa had spent five and a half years in jail, his brother said. He had previously been detained for four years.
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