22 apr 2018
Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission on Sunday filed a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court demanding the release of the bodies of slain Palestinians Mohammed Anbar and Mohammed Marshoud.
The Commission said in a statement that Sunday's petition was filed because the Israeli prosecution did not respond to the preliminary petition it had submitted previously for the same issue.
It added that procrastination has become an approach followed by the Israeli prosecution in dealing with the petitions filed by the Commission with respect to the detained martyrs.
Mohammed Anbar, 46, died early April a few days after he was shot by Israeli soldiers near Jbara checkpoint in Tulkarem.
Mohammed Marshoud, 30, died in April also of wounds he sustained after an Israeli settler shot him in al-Khan al-Ahmar area between Jerusalem and Jericho.
In another context, a report released by the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission revealed that the sick prisoners held at Ramla prison hospital are suffering from severe health problems and some of them are in real danger.
The report noted that the prisoners are denied proper treatment and only given painkillers.
The Commission said in a statement that Sunday's petition was filed because the Israeli prosecution did not respond to the preliminary petition it had submitted previously for the same issue.
It added that procrastination has become an approach followed by the Israeli prosecution in dealing with the petitions filed by the Commission with respect to the detained martyrs.
Mohammed Anbar, 46, died early April a few days after he was shot by Israeli soldiers near Jbara checkpoint in Tulkarem.
Mohammed Marshoud, 30, died in April also of wounds he sustained after an Israeli settler shot him in al-Khan al-Ahmar area between Jerusalem and Jericho.
In another context, a report released by the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission revealed that the sick prisoners held at Ramla prison hospital are suffering from severe health problems and some of them are in real danger.
The report noted that the prisoners are denied proper treatment and only given painkillers.
Ahed Tamimi, 17, is serving an eight-month prison sentence after she was filmed slapping an Israeli soldier
Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian teenager famed for slapping an Israeli soldier on camera, should have been shot, at least in the knee, Deputy Knesset Speaker Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) wrote on Twitter Saturday.
“In my opinion, she should have gotten a bullet, at least in the kneecap,” he wrote. “That would have put her under house arrest for the rest of her life.”
Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian teenager famed for slapping an Israeli soldier on camera, should have been shot, at least in the knee, Deputy Knesset Speaker Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) wrote on Twitter Saturday.
“In my opinion, she should have gotten a bullet, at least in the kneecap,” he wrote. “That would have put her under house arrest for the rest of her life.”
Bezalel Smotrich
He was responding to journalist Yinon Magal, who had reposted the footage of Tamimi slapping the soldier along with the text, “I’m watching this clip again and am so glad that Tamimi is still in jail. Sometimes, it’s good that the mills of justice grind slowly.”
Tamimi, 17, was arrested and charged soon after the incident took place last December. In March, she was convicted in a plea bargain of assaulting a soldier, incitement and interfering with a soldier in the line of duty. She was sentenced to eight months in prison plus a fine of 5,000 shekels ($1,400).
MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) responded angrily to Smotrich’s tweet. “You should be ashamed of yourself! Should the hilltop youth from Samaria who threw stones at IDF soldiers last week also have been shot?” she wrote on Twitter, referring to violent settlers in the northern West Bank. “Oh, I forgot – the law is different for enemies ...”
“I don’t accept your excuses and explanations,” she added. “You’re a thug and an inciter.”
Tamimi’s mother Nariman and cousin Nur were also convicted in slapping incident. Nariman Tamimi, who shot the video, was sentenced to eight months in prison and a 6,000-shekel fine for incitement, abetting an assault and interfering with a soldier in the line of duty. Nur, who also slapped the soldier, was given a five-month suspended sentence and fined 2,000 shekels.
In the original indictment, Ahed Tamimi was also charged with several other offenses, including throwing stones on various occasions.
He was responding to journalist Yinon Magal, who had reposted the footage of Tamimi slapping the soldier along with the text, “I’m watching this clip again and am so glad that Tamimi is still in jail. Sometimes, it’s good that the mills of justice grind slowly.”
Tamimi, 17, was arrested and charged soon after the incident took place last December. In March, she was convicted in a plea bargain of assaulting a soldier, incitement and interfering with a soldier in the line of duty. She was sentenced to eight months in prison plus a fine of 5,000 shekels ($1,400).
MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) responded angrily to Smotrich’s tweet. “You should be ashamed of yourself! Should the hilltop youth from Samaria who threw stones at IDF soldiers last week also have been shot?” she wrote on Twitter, referring to violent settlers in the northern West Bank. “Oh, I forgot – the law is different for enemies ...”
“I don’t accept your excuses and explanations,” she added. “You’re a thug and an inciter.”
Tamimi’s mother Nariman and cousin Nur were also convicted in slapping incident. Nariman Tamimi, who shot the video, was sentenced to eight months in prison and a 6,000-shekel fine for incitement, abetting an assault and interfering with a soldier in the line of duty. Nur, who also slapped the soldier, was given a five-month suspended sentence and fined 2,000 shekels.
In the original indictment, Ahed Tamimi was also charged with several other offenses, including throwing stones on various occasions.
Some Palestinian children have been tried in absentia, while the majority receive what rights groups call unreasonably harsh sentences
More than 350 Palestinian children are behind Israeli bars, where human rights groups say they endure mistreatment.
Omar al-Rimawi has not been home since he was arrested by Israeli troops more than two years ago, but his photos line the walls of the halls and rooms of his home.
Although just 16 years old now, Omar could be sentenced to life in prison stemming from his arrest on February 18, 2016.
Samir Mahmoud al-Rimawi, Omar's 49-year-old father, and Lana, his mother, have attended more than 40 court sessions in that time.
Sitting with Omar's siblings in their home, Samir and Lana struggle to hold back tears as they recall the painful details of their son's imprisonment.
More than 350 Palestinian children are behind Israeli bars, where human rights groups say they endure mistreatment.
Omar al-Rimawi has not been home since he was arrested by Israeli troops more than two years ago, but his photos line the walls of the halls and rooms of his home.
Although just 16 years old now, Omar could be sentenced to life in prison stemming from his arrest on February 18, 2016.
Samir Mahmoud al-Rimawi, Omar's 49-year-old father, and Lana, his mother, have attended more than 40 court sessions in that time.
Sitting with Omar's siblings in their home, Samir and Lana struggle to hold back tears as they recall the painful details of their son's imprisonment.
Omar's parents have attended more than 40 court sessions since 2016
Coming back from yet another court hearing, they had no new information for Omar's brothers and sisters.
Omar is a bright boy, was a model student at an upscale private school in Ramallah, and he excelled in football, swimming and karate, his parents tell Al Jazeera. His family dreamed that he would one day become a doctor.
Samir recalls the fateful evening when he learned of Omar's arrest.
On that night, his son was meant to be attending an English-language course, but Samir received a shocking phone call from Israeli intelligence demanding that he come to the interrogation centre where Omar was being held at the Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The voice on the other end of the phone did not explain why Samir was being summoned, but within a few minutes, he learned from Israeli media reports that Omar and his friend Ayman al-Sabah, both of whom were 14 at the time, had been shot at a Rami Levy supermarket near Ramallah.
The boys were accused of carrying out a deadly stabbing attack.
Israel's widespread arrests and imprisonment of Palestinian children have been broadly condemned by human rights groups and watchdogs.
Omar and Ayham are among more than 350 Palestinian children who are currently in Israeli lockup, according to a joint statement recently published by the Palestinian Committee for Prisoners Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Club.
Bleak picture
Thus far in 2018, Israeli forces have arrested more than 353 children, and at least 102 - most of whom are from occupied East Jerusalem - were placed under house arrest between December 2017 and February this year.
The joint statement painted a bleak picture for Palestinian children in Israeli custody. The allegations include the use of brute force, restraining children in cruel ways, withholding food and water, violence and verbal aggression during interrogation and forcing confessions, among others.
Some of the children have been tried in absentia, while the majority have received what rights groups call unreasonably harsh sentences and expensive fines.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the accountability programme director at Defence for Children International - Palestine (DCI-P), argues that Israeli courts fail to respect established rules for detaining and trying children in court.
Although Israel is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, it ignores that agreement's restrictions when dealing with Palestinian children, Abu Eqtaish tells Al Jazeera.
Rather than seeking alternatives to prison, Israeli courts regularly impose lengthy sentences on the children and impose costly fines on their families, Abu Eqtaish adds.
And despite Israel's use of forced confessions and other apparent violations of international norms, Abu Eqtaish fears that Israel has been allowed to operate with impunity.
Dreaming of freedom
Coming back from yet another court hearing, they had no new information for Omar's brothers and sisters.
Omar is a bright boy, was a model student at an upscale private school in Ramallah, and he excelled in football, swimming and karate, his parents tell Al Jazeera. His family dreamed that he would one day become a doctor.
Samir recalls the fateful evening when he learned of Omar's arrest.
On that night, his son was meant to be attending an English-language course, but Samir received a shocking phone call from Israeli intelligence demanding that he come to the interrogation centre where Omar was being held at the Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The voice on the other end of the phone did not explain why Samir was being summoned, but within a few minutes, he learned from Israeli media reports that Omar and his friend Ayman al-Sabah, both of whom were 14 at the time, had been shot at a Rami Levy supermarket near Ramallah.
The boys were accused of carrying out a deadly stabbing attack.
Israel's widespread arrests and imprisonment of Palestinian children have been broadly condemned by human rights groups and watchdogs.
Omar and Ayham are among more than 350 Palestinian children who are currently in Israeli lockup, according to a joint statement recently published by the Palestinian Committee for Prisoners Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Club.
Bleak picture
Thus far in 2018, Israeli forces have arrested more than 353 children, and at least 102 - most of whom are from occupied East Jerusalem - were placed under house arrest between December 2017 and February this year.
The joint statement painted a bleak picture for Palestinian children in Israeli custody. The allegations include the use of brute force, restraining children in cruel ways, withholding food and water, violence and verbal aggression during interrogation and forcing confessions, among others.
Some of the children have been tried in absentia, while the majority have received what rights groups call unreasonably harsh sentences and expensive fines.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the accountability programme director at Defence for Children International - Palestine (DCI-P), argues that Israeli courts fail to respect established rules for detaining and trying children in court.
Although Israel is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, it ignores that agreement's restrictions when dealing with Palestinian children, Abu Eqtaish tells Al Jazeera.
Rather than seeking alternatives to prison, Israeli courts regularly impose lengthy sentences on the children and impose costly fines on their families, Abu Eqtaish adds.
And despite Israel's use of forced confessions and other apparent violations of international norms, Abu Eqtaish fears that Israel has been allowed to operate with impunity.
Dreaming of freedom
Omar and Ayham are among more than 350 Palestinian children in Israeli lockup
In the wake of Omar's arrest, a flurry of contradictory stories began to circulate. Some of the rumours purported that the boys had been killed, while others alleged they were seriously injured by the gunshot wounds.
Israeli authorities, however, refused to update the Rimawi family about their son's health, Samir says. It was only six days later that they were finally permitted to visit Omar.
"Omar was in the intensive care unit, his hands and feet were restrained, and he was surrounded by three Israeli soldiers," Samir remembers grimly, explaining that Omar was subsequently carted from one prison to the next.
"I only saw him for five minutes, but during that time I found out that he had been paralysed because one of the three bullets that hit him had lodged in his spine. Another one had stopped near his heart, and the third had hit his arm."
During that brief visit, Samir learned that Omar would need upwards of six years of physiotherapy if he were to ever walk again. He credits Omar's strong, athletic physique with allowing the boy to walk after a mere six months.
Samir accuses Israeli authorities of mistreating his son, alleging that Omar was left in the rain on a gurney outside the court where he had his first hearing only a few days after his arrest.
Since 2015, Israel has lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility, allowing Palestinian children as young as 12 to be arrested and charged and making it easier for judges to hand down lengthy sentences to minors.
Ayham and Omar are both awaiting a verdict that could land them behind bars for life. Omar's family say his lawyer expects that Omar will "most likely" receive a life sentence as Israel's military court system has a 99 percent conviction rate.
A slew of reports in Israeli media outlets called for the boys to be severely punished, and Samir says the Israeli prosecutor's office has refused to negotiate with Omar's lawyers. Their appeals for compassion based on the boy's age have fallen on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, Samir and Lana are allowed to see Omar only once every three months, and Omar is barred from calling or writing to them.
"We visit with him behind a glass barrier; we can't hug or kiss him," Samir says. "Every time we see him, he's grown, he's taller, and his mind has matured more."
Birthday behind bars
In the wake of Omar's arrest, a flurry of contradictory stories began to circulate. Some of the rumours purported that the boys had been killed, while others alleged they were seriously injured by the gunshot wounds.
Israeli authorities, however, refused to update the Rimawi family about their son's health, Samir says. It was only six days later that they were finally permitted to visit Omar.
"Omar was in the intensive care unit, his hands and feet were restrained, and he was surrounded by three Israeli soldiers," Samir remembers grimly, explaining that Omar was subsequently carted from one prison to the next.
"I only saw him for five minutes, but during that time I found out that he had been paralysed because one of the three bullets that hit him had lodged in his spine. Another one had stopped near his heart, and the third had hit his arm."
During that brief visit, Samir learned that Omar would need upwards of six years of physiotherapy if he were to ever walk again. He credits Omar's strong, athletic physique with allowing the boy to walk after a mere six months.
Samir accuses Israeli authorities of mistreating his son, alleging that Omar was left in the rain on a gurney outside the court where he had his first hearing only a few days after his arrest.
Since 2015, Israel has lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility, allowing Palestinian children as young as 12 to be arrested and charged and making it easier for judges to hand down lengthy sentences to minors.
Ayham and Omar are both awaiting a verdict that could land them behind bars for life. Omar's family say his lawyer expects that Omar will "most likely" receive a life sentence as Israel's military court system has a 99 percent conviction rate.
A slew of reports in Israeli media outlets called for the boys to be severely punished, and Samir says the Israeli prosecutor's office has refused to negotiate with Omar's lawyers. Their appeals for compassion based on the boy's age have fallen on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, Samir and Lana are allowed to see Omar only once every three months, and Omar is barred from calling or writing to them.
"We visit with him behind a glass barrier; we can't hug or kiss him," Samir says. "Every time we see him, he's grown, he's taller, and his mind has matured more."
Birthday behind bars
'I wish I could serve his sentence in his place,' Mohamed's father says
On June 22, Mohamed Tayseer Taha will turn 17. He will celebrate his birthday in prison, because, like hundreds of Palestinian children, he languishes behind bars.
His mother, Hanan, and father, Tayseer, sit in their home in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem. The television is switched off; the home is silent and still, and photos of the absent teenager line the wall behind them.
"I wish I could serve his sentence in his place. I would do it rather than have him spend another minute in jail," Tayseer says before collapsing in tears and leaving the room to dry his eyes.
Mohamed, 14 at the time, was arrested on January 31, 2016, along with 16-year-old Monther Abou Miyala.
Accused of stabbing an Israeli settler in Jerusalem's Old City the day before, the boys had gone into hiding before eventually being arrested.
Fearing for the children's lives, their families had been searching frantically for them. "An Israeli officer called me [on January 30] and said I had to hand over Mohamed or he would shoot and kill him wherever and whenever he found him," Tayseer says.
When Mohamed came home the next day, his family had no choice but to deliver him to Israeli authorities.
A year later, an Israeli court sentenced Mohamed to 11 years in prison and imposed a roughly $14,245 fine on his family.
His mother was shocked and stricken with grief.
"I never expected that ruling against Mohamed, every session I was expecting Mohamed to come home with me," Hanan says.
"The initial demand was that he be jailed five years, and we were shocked in that last session when the judge sentenced him to 11 years instead."
Tayseer and Hanan are allowed to visit their son twice a month. But, like the Rimawi family, they can only communicate with him through a thick glass barrier.
"The visits are hard," Hanan explains. "We're searched very thoroughly; then we have to wait for hours before we're able to get in and see him. When I finally do see him, everything I planned to say to him flies out of my mind, and I am happy just gazing at him."
'He always tries to be strong'
On June 22, Mohamed Tayseer Taha will turn 17. He will celebrate his birthday in prison, because, like hundreds of Palestinian children, he languishes behind bars.
His mother, Hanan, and father, Tayseer, sit in their home in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem. The television is switched off; the home is silent and still, and photos of the absent teenager line the wall behind them.
"I wish I could serve his sentence in his place. I would do it rather than have him spend another minute in jail," Tayseer says before collapsing in tears and leaving the room to dry his eyes.
Mohamed, 14 at the time, was arrested on January 31, 2016, along with 16-year-old Monther Abou Miyala.
Accused of stabbing an Israeli settler in Jerusalem's Old City the day before, the boys had gone into hiding before eventually being arrested.
Fearing for the children's lives, their families had been searching frantically for them. "An Israeli officer called me [on January 30] and said I had to hand over Mohamed or he would shoot and kill him wherever and whenever he found him," Tayseer says.
When Mohamed came home the next day, his family had no choice but to deliver him to Israeli authorities.
A year later, an Israeli court sentenced Mohamed to 11 years in prison and imposed a roughly $14,245 fine on his family.
His mother was shocked and stricken with grief.
"I never expected that ruling against Mohamed, every session I was expecting Mohamed to come home with me," Hanan says.
"The initial demand was that he be jailed five years, and we were shocked in that last session when the judge sentenced him to 11 years instead."
Tayseer and Hanan are allowed to visit their son twice a month. But, like the Rimawi family, they can only communicate with him through a thick glass barrier.
"The visits are hard," Hanan explains. "We're searched very thoroughly; then we have to wait for hours before we're able to get in and see him. When I finally do see him, everything I planned to say to him flies out of my mind, and I am happy just gazing at him."
'He always tries to be strong'
Mohamed tries to put on a happy face for his family
Mohamed tries to put on a happy appearance for his family. He avoids talking about his tribulations behind bars, and arrives for every scheduled meeting in tidy clothes, with well-groomed hair and a broad smile on his face.
But Hanan suspects Mohamed is trying to shield them from the pain he endures. "I feel that Mohamed is hiding a lot from me, but he always tries to be strong in front of us [and] to only tell us the good news."
Behind bars, Mohamed told his family, he had become a barber for the other children where he is imprisoned in Megiddo prison.
On several occasions, his fellow prisoners have visited the Taha family after being released from jail. They tell Tayseer and Hanan about how widely respected and loved Mohamed is, and one brought Hanan flowers at Mohamed's request.
Despite Mohamed's efforts, he cannot always hide his sadness from his mother. Sometimes he confides that he struggles with complex feelings of both happiness and despair when his cellmates are released, and fears that he will never be free.
Throughout his two years in prison, Mohamed has asked his parents to bring photos of his four siblings and his nieces and nephews as well as the family pets, including their dog, Rambo, and Mohamed's flock of pigeons.
For Tayseer, just being at home is a constant - and piercing - reminder of his son's imprisonment.
"I can't stay in the house with Mohamed not here," he says. "I spend as much time as I can outside the house and come back at night to sit here and look at his photos and cry."
They recently filed an appeal in Mohamed's case, but it was rejected, and his 11-year-sentence was upheld.
'Childhood stolen'
Mohamed tries to put on a happy appearance for his family. He avoids talking about his tribulations behind bars, and arrives for every scheduled meeting in tidy clothes, with well-groomed hair and a broad smile on his face.
But Hanan suspects Mohamed is trying to shield them from the pain he endures. "I feel that Mohamed is hiding a lot from me, but he always tries to be strong in front of us [and] to only tell us the good news."
Behind bars, Mohamed told his family, he had become a barber for the other children where he is imprisoned in Megiddo prison.
On several occasions, his fellow prisoners have visited the Taha family after being released from jail. They tell Tayseer and Hanan about how widely respected and loved Mohamed is, and one brought Hanan flowers at Mohamed's request.
Despite Mohamed's efforts, he cannot always hide his sadness from his mother. Sometimes he confides that he struggles with complex feelings of both happiness and despair when his cellmates are released, and fears that he will never be free.
Throughout his two years in prison, Mohamed has asked his parents to bring photos of his four siblings and his nieces and nephews as well as the family pets, including their dog, Rambo, and Mohamed's flock of pigeons.
For Tayseer, just being at home is a constant - and piercing - reminder of his son's imprisonment.
"I can't stay in the house with Mohamed not here," he says. "I spend as much time as I can outside the house and come back at night to sit here and look at his photos and cry."
They recently filed an appeal in Mohamed's case, but it was rejected, and his 11-year-sentence was upheld.
'Childhood stolen'
Nourhan has remained an avid reader while in detention
Nourhan was 16 years old when she was arrested in Jerusalem for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli settler with scissors.
She had been a successful student, and continued her studies in prison, receiving a 94 percent score on the standardised high school exams. But rather than being able to plan for university, where she hoped to study law, Nourhan has to continue serving a 13-year prison sentence.
On November 23, 2016, Israeli forces shot Nourhan and her 14-year-old cousin Hadeel after the alleged attempted stabbing. Hadeel died on the spot, and Israeli forces arrested Nourhan, who had been left gravely injured and bleeding on the ground.
Four days later, while Nourhan was still in hospital and under the influence of powerful anaesthesia after surgery, Israeli interrogators questioned the girl, her mother tells Al Jazeera.
Her mother, Manal, says the family was stunned when an Israeli court later sentenced her to 13 years. They were also given an $8,000 fine.
"The lawyer told us that she would be sentenced to five years, but at the last session, we were shocked to hear the sentence - 13 years," Manal recollects. "It was a terrible blow to all of us and to Nourhan. She fainted, and the rest of us ran out of the court crying and screaming."
Remembering the arduous details of her daughter's arrest and sentencing, Manal is gradually overcome with tears.
"In the blink of an eye, Nourhan's childhood was stolen, she was wrenched from my arms and [she was] put in prison," Manal laments.
"I miss her every minute of the day. Her siblings have grown accustomed to her absence; they don't ask when she will be back - they ask when the next visit will be."
Nourhan was 16 years old when she was arrested in Jerusalem for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli settler with scissors.
She had been a successful student, and continued her studies in prison, receiving a 94 percent score on the standardised high school exams. But rather than being able to plan for university, where she hoped to study law, Nourhan has to continue serving a 13-year prison sentence.
On November 23, 2016, Israeli forces shot Nourhan and her 14-year-old cousin Hadeel after the alleged attempted stabbing. Hadeel died on the spot, and Israeli forces arrested Nourhan, who had been left gravely injured and bleeding on the ground.
Four days later, while Nourhan was still in hospital and under the influence of powerful anaesthesia after surgery, Israeli interrogators questioned the girl, her mother tells Al Jazeera.
Her mother, Manal, says the family was stunned when an Israeli court later sentenced her to 13 years. They were also given an $8,000 fine.
"The lawyer told us that she would be sentenced to five years, but at the last session, we were shocked to hear the sentence - 13 years," Manal recollects. "It was a terrible blow to all of us and to Nourhan. She fainted, and the rest of us ran out of the court crying and screaming."
Remembering the arduous details of her daughter's arrest and sentencing, Manal is gradually overcome with tears.
"In the blink of an eye, Nourhan's childhood was stolen, she was wrenched from my arms and [she was] put in prison," Manal laments.
"I miss her every minute of the day. Her siblings have grown accustomed to her absence; they don't ask when she will be back - they ask when the next visit will be."
Nourhan's mother: 'I miss her every minute of the day'
In prison, Nourhan has remained an avid reader, always asking her month to bring new books when she visits.
"Every visit, Nourhan tells me about the latest book she read and gives me a synopsis of it," Manal explains.
"She told me that she has learned Hebrew and speaks it very well now and is also teaching math to the other imprisoned girls."
Ever hopeful that Nourhan will eventually come home, Manal nonetheless has endured an array of punitive hardships imposed by Israeli authorities, including the cancellation of her husband's work permit and the family's reunification application.
Back in their Ramallah home, the Rimawi family knows Manal's pain well - and share her steadfast resolve to never abandon hope for the future.
"I know Omar will be sentenced to life in prison," Samir, Omar al-Rimawi's father, says.
"But I dream that he will be liberated and get some of his childhood back, continue the normal life I always hoped he would have."
In prison, Nourhan has remained an avid reader, always asking her month to bring new books when she visits.
"Every visit, Nourhan tells me about the latest book she read and gives me a synopsis of it," Manal explains.
"She told me that she has learned Hebrew and speaks it very well now and is also teaching math to the other imprisoned girls."
Ever hopeful that Nourhan will eventually come home, Manal nonetheless has endured an array of punitive hardships imposed by Israeli authorities, including the cancellation of her husband's work permit and the family's reunification application.
Back in their Ramallah home, the Rimawi family knows Manal's pain well - and share her steadfast resolve to never abandon hope for the future.
"I know Omar will be sentenced to life in prison," Samir, Omar al-Rimawi's father, says.
"But I dream that he will be liberated and get some of his childhood back, continue the normal life I always hoped he would have."
Israeli soldiers abducted, Sunday, twenty Palestinians, including children, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, during extensive and violent military invasions and searches of homes.
On Sunday evening, the soldiers invaded ‘Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and abducted Yousef Zahran Sweidan, 23, while walking in the downtown area.
The soldiers also were heavily deployed near the main entrance of the town, in addition to Kafr Laqif nearby village, east of Qalqilia, and installed a military roadblock on the main road between ‘Azzoun town and Ezbet at-Tabeeb village, east of Qalqilia.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Ezz Mohammad Shamasna, 14, from Jayyous town, northeast of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, only four days after abducting his father, who was taken prisoner after shielding his son with his body to prevent the soldiers from beating him up, when the military broke into the family home.
The child managed to escape from the soldiers, who abducted his father.
The soldiers also abducted nineteen other Palestinians in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
The army claims that many of the abducted Palestinians are “affiliated with Hamas”, and added that the soldiers confiscated a car that was “carrying a large sum of cash,” in addition to “closing a print-shop, in Ramallah, for printing incitement materials.”
Sixteen of the abducted Palestinians have been identified as:
On Sunday evening, the soldiers invaded ‘Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and abducted Yousef Zahran Sweidan, 23, while walking in the downtown area.
The soldiers also were heavily deployed near the main entrance of the town, in addition to Kafr Laqif nearby village, east of Qalqilia, and installed a military roadblock on the main road between ‘Azzoun town and Ezbet at-Tabeeb village, east of Qalqilia.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Ezz Mohammad Shamasna, 14, from Jayyous town, northeast of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, only four days after abducting his father, who was taken prisoner after shielding his son with his body to prevent the soldiers from beating him up, when the military broke into the family home.
The child managed to escape from the soldiers, who abducted his father.
The soldiers also abducted nineteen other Palestinians in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
The army claims that many of the abducted Palestinians are “affiliated with Hamas”, and added that the soldiers confiscated a car that was “carrying a large sum of cash,” in addition to “closing a print-shop, in Ramallah, for printing incitement materials.”
Sixteen of the abducted Palestinians have been identified as:
- Majid Ahmad Masalma, 40, Sinjil – Ramallah.
- Hussein Mohammad ‘Asfour, 30, Sinjil – Ramallah.
- Ahmad Abdul-Karim Hamed, 32, Sinjil – Ramallah.
- Hamed Riyad Hamed, 22, Silwad – Ramallah.
- Mohammad Yahia Abu Salim, 25, Rantis – Ramallah.
- Amin Mahmoud Dar Darraj, 20, Kharbatha al-Misbah – Ramallah.
- Eyad Abdul-Ra’ouf ‘Atiya, Kharbatha al-Misbah – Ramallah.
- Ala’ Thabet B’eirat, 19, Kafr Malek – Ramallah.
- Mo’tasem Mohammad Tamimi, 23, Nabi Saleh – Ramallah.
- Tha’er ‘Amira, 42, Ni’lin – Ramallah.
- Salim Idrees Hamdan, Doura al-Qare’ – Ramallah.
- Khaled al-‘Abed, Kobar – Ramallah.
- Abdul-Hamid Mowaffaq Rimawi, Beit Rima – Ramallah.
- Ezzeddin Mohammad Shamasna, 14, Jayyous – Qalqilia.
- Mohammad Ra’ed ‘Amarna, Thaher al-’Abed village – Jenin.
- Nassim Taiseer Teety, 16, al-‘Arroub refugee camp, Hebron.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday afternoon arrested a Palestinian youth after raiding the eastern neighborhood in Azzoun town in Qalqilya.
IOF soldiers detained a group of the inhabitants for a long while and erected a military barrier in the area, according to local sources.
IOF soldiers detained a group of the inhabitants for a long while and erected a military barrier in the area, according to local sources.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday afternoon arrested a Palestinian journalist in the Old City of al-Khalil.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque tried to prevent journalist Manal al-Ja'bari from taking pictures in the area.
Al-Ja'bari refused to obey the soldiers' orders and kept taking pictures as part of her work as a professional journalist for several media institutions.
The soldiers attacked al-Ja'bari, who is also a member of the Palestinian Journalists Union, and confiscated her camera. Later she was handcuffed and transferred to an unknown destination.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque tried to prevent journalist Manal al-Ja'bari from taking pictures in the area.
Al-Ja'bari refused to obey the soldiers' orders and kept taking pictures as part of her work as a professional journalist for several media institutions.
The soldiers attacked al-Ja'bari, who is also a member of the Palestinian Journalists Union, and confiscated her camera. Later she was handcuffed and transferred to an unknown destination.
Dozens of Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning under heavy police presence.
Local sources reported that 65 settlers entered the Mosque in consecutive groups via al-Maghareba Gate, roamed its courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals.
The sources added that the morning incursions lasted for four hours while other groups are expected to break into the Mosque following noon prayer.
In another context, the Israeli police handed three Aqsa guards interrogation summonses on Sunday morning.
Local sources said that the guards Khalil al-Tarhouni, Luai Abu al-Sa'd and Fadi Iliyyan were handed summonses, while they were present at al-Qashla detention center for interrogation, to appear again before the police next Tuesday along with two other guards who were recently banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
There are about 250 guards, mostly young Palestinians, who guard al-Aqsa Mosque around the clock to make sure no harm is caused to the holy site and protect it against settlers' violations despite the harassment they are constantly exposed to by the Israeli police.
Local sources reported that 65 settlers entered the Mosque in consecutive groups via al-Maghareba Gate, roamed its courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals.
The sources added that the morning incursions lasted for four hours while other groups are expected to break into the Mosque following noon prayer.
In another context, the Israeli police handed three Aqsa guards interrogation summonses on Sunday morning.
Local sources said that the guards Khalil al-Tarhouni, Luai Abu al-Sa'd and Fadi Iliyyan were handed summonses, while they were present at al-Qashla detention center for interrogation, to appear again before the police next Tuesday along with two other guards who were recently banned from entering al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
There are about 250 guards, mostly young Palestinians, who guard al-Aqsa Mosque around the clock to make sure no harm is caused to the holy site and protect it against settlers' violations despite the harassment they are constantly exposed to by the Israeli police.
About 500 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons without charge or trial are continuing their open-ended boycott of Israeli military courts for the 67th consecutive day.
The detainees started their strike in protest against their arbitrary detention, as well as due to the increasing use of administrative detention orders by the Israeli occupation authorities.
Head of the Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Commission, Issa Qaraqe, called for mobilizing support for the administrative detainees’ cause and for exposing the incessant Israeli crimes against Palestinian prisoners.
“Israel is the only entity in the world that imprisons civilians without fair trials,” he said.
Israel’s widely condemned policy of administrative detention allows detention of Palestinian detainees without charge or trial for renewable intervals, usually ranging between three and six months, based on undisclosed evidence that even a detainee’s lawyer is barred from viewing.
Nearly 6,500 Palestinian detainees are locked up in Israeli dungeons, among them 450 administrative prisoners.
More than 52,000 administrative detention orders have been issued by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian detainees since 1967.
The detainees started their strike in protest against their arbitrary detention, as well as due to the increasing use of administrative detention orders by the Israeli occupation authorities.
Head of the Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Commission, Issa Qaraqe, called for mobilizing support for the administrative detainees’ cause and for exposing the incessant Israeli crimes against Palestinian prisoners.
“Israel is the only entity in the world that imprisons civilians without fair trials,” he said.
Israel’s widely condemned policy of administrative detention allows detention of Palestinian detainees without charge or trial for renewable intervals, usually ranging between three and six months, based on undisclosed evidence that even a detainee’s lawyer is barred from viewing.
Nearly 6,500 Palestinian detainees are locked up in Israeli dungeons, among them 450 administrative prisoners.
More than 52,000 administrative detention orders have been issued by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian detainees since 1967.
20 apr 2018
A Palestinian man, 65 years of age, was injured on Thursday evening, after Israeli soldiers stormed his home in Silwan town, in occupied Jerusalem, and abducted his son during a violent search of the property before hurling a concussion grenade at him. The soldiers also abducted a child during the invasion.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers stormed the home of Ziad Zidani, 65, in the al-Bustan neighborhood, before assaulting him and his family while ransacking the property.
It added that the soldiers hurled a concussion grenade at the man, striking him in his leg, causing various cuts and bruises.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in the town, especially in the al-Ein Street, al-Bustan and al-Westa neighborhoods, installed many roadblocks and hurled concussion grenades at the residents.
In addition, the army abducted a child, identified as Mohammad Abu Rajab, from his home in al-Westa neighborhood. Video
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) has reported that the soldiers stormed the home of Ziad Zidani, 65, in the al-Bustan neighborhood, before assaulting him and his family while ransacking the property.
It added that the soldiers hurled a concussion grenade at the man, striking him in his leg, causing various cuts and bruises.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in the town, especially in the al-Ein Street, al-Bustan and al-Westa neighborhoods, installed many roadblocks and hurled concussion grenades at the residents.
In addition, the army abducted a child, identified as Mohammad Abu Rajab, from his home in al-Westa neighborhood. Video
19 apr 2018
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested on Thursday afternoon a young Palestinian with special needs in al-Khalil, to the south of West Bank.
The PIC field reporter said that Israeli forces, stationed near the Ibrahimi Mosque, arrested he young man Samur al-Rajabi, 21, while on his way home.
The detainee was taken handcuffed to the military checkpoint for unknown reasons.
The PIC field reporter said that Israeli forces, stationed near the Ibrahimi Mosque, arrested he young man Samur al-Rajabi, 21, while on his way home.
The detainee was taken handcuffed to the military checkpoint for unknown reasons.
Israeli soldiers abducted, late on Tuesday evening, two young Palestinian men in two separate incidents at military roadblocks near Jenin and Jerusalem, in the occupied West Bank.
Media sources said the soldiers installed a military roadblock near Ya’bad town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and abducted Ibrahim Ahmad Zeid, from Barta’a nearby town, in addition to confiscating his car.
Furthermore, the soldiers stationed at the Qalandia terminal, between Jerusalem and Ramallah, abducted a young man from the Gaza Strip, reportedly after searching him and locating a hidden knife.
The army did not release the man’s name, or whether he carried a permit to enter Jerusalem, but only said he is from the Gaza Strip.
Media sources said the soldiers installed a military roadblock near Ya’bad town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and abducted Ibrahim Ahmad Zeid, from Barta’a nearby town, in addition to confiscating his car.
Furthermore, the soldiers stationed at the Qalandia terminal, between Jerusalem and Ramallah, abducted a young man from the Gaza Strip, reportedly after searching him and locating a hidden knife.
The army did not release the man’s name, or whether he carried a permit to enter Jerusalem, but only said he is from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation authorities have issued administrative detention orders, with neither charge nor trial, against 41 Palestinians since the start of April, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said on Wednesday.
Mohammad Halaby, from PPS, said that from among the 41 orders nine were issued against Palestinians detained for the first time or re-detained after they were released from jail.
Administrative detention is the imprisonment of Palestinians without charge or trial at orders from a military commander and on the basis of secret evidence. The order normally goes for six-month periods, indefinitely renewable by Israeli occupation authorities.
The list included Tayseer Abu Esneineh, Lutfi Malaysha, Murad Fashafsha, and Aws Khader, all sentenced to a renewed six-month administrative term.
Mohammad Halaby, from PPS, said that from among the 41 orders nine were issued against Palestinians detained for the first time or re-detained after they were released from jail.
Administrative detention is the imprisonment of Palestinians without charge or trial at orders from a military commander and on the basis of secret evidence. The order normally goes for six-month periods, indefinitely renewable by Israeli occupation authorities.
The list included Tayseer Abu Esneineh, Lutfi Malaysha, Murad Fashafsha, and Aws Khader, all sentenced to a renewed six-month administrative term.
The Israeli occupation army on Wednesday claimed its forces frustrated a massive bombing operation targeting its citizens in Israel (the 1948 occupied lands).
According to the Hebrew website 0404, Israeli soldiers at Umm al-Rayhan checkpoint west of Jenin city in the West Bank intercepted and searched a truck carrying vegetables as its driver was intending to cross into Israel and found homemade pipe bombs stashed aboard it.
A bundle of 10 pipe bombs wired together to form an improvised explosive device was found inside the truck, according to Israeli claims.
Israeli security speculations pointed the finger at a group of Palestinians, saying they might be behind the intended operation.
The website said the driver was arrested and taken in for interrogation, without revealing his identity.
According to the Hebrew website 0404, Israeli soldiers at Umm al-Rayhan checkpoint west of Jenin city in the West Bank intercepted and searched a truck carrying vegetables as its driver was intending to cross into Israel and found homemade pipe bombs stashed aboard it.
A bundle of 10 pipe bombs wired together to form an improvised explosive device was found inside the truck, according to Israeli claims.
Israeli security speculations pointed the finger at a group of Palestinians, saying they might be behind the intended operation.
The website said the driver was arrested and taken in for interrogation, without revealing his identity.
18 apr 2018
Hebrew sources reported that the Israeli police on Wednesday arrested a Palestinian citizen at a checkpoint north of Occupied Jerusalem over alleged knife possession.
Hebrew website "0404" said that a force of border guards stationed at Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem arrested a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip.
The website, which is close to the Israeli army, claimed that the 32-year-old detainee was carrying a knife, and that is why he was taken for interrogation.
The Israeli police have arrested dozens of Palestinian youths at Qalandia checkpoint, which links Jerusalem with Ramallah, under the pretext that they were attempting attacks against Israeli soldiers.
Since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada in October 2015, many Palestinians have carried out anti-occupation stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks near the same checkpoint.
Hebrew website "0404" said that a force of border guards stationed at Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem arrested a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip.
The website, which is close to the Israeli army, claimed that the 32-year-old detainee was carrying a knife, and that is why he was taken for interrogation.
The Israeli police have arrested dozens of Palestinian youths at Qalandia checkpoint, which links Jerusalem with Ramallah, under the pretext that they were attempting attacks against Israeli soldiers.
Since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada in October 2015, many Palestinians have carried out anti-occupation stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks near the same checkpoint.
Israeli forces, Wednesday, physically assaulted three Palestinian journalists during clashes that broke out in al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the southern West Bank district of Hebron, said security sources.
Sources told WAFA Israeli soldiers physically assaulted three journalists while they were covering confronatations that erupted near the Palestine technical college, near the camp.
The journalists were identified as Mohammad Halayqa, Mus’ab Shawar, and Sari Jaradat. Meanwhile, two Palestinian youth were reportedly detained during the clashes.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian students on their way home from school in al-Salaymeh neighborhood in the Old City district of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, local sources also reported, according to WAFA.
The settlers physically attacked students and used foul language against them, but no injuries were reported.
Israeli forces also attacked high school students from al-Sawiya al-Lubban high school, to the south of Nablus, with pepper spray, causing a number of them to suffocate, said a local official.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in northern West Bank district, said that Israeli soldiers sprayed students with pepper spray while they were heading back home from school.
Several students suffered from suffocation, including one case that necessitated transfer to hospital for medical treatment.
Sources told WAFA Israeli soldiers physically assaulted three journalists while they were covering confronatations that erupted near the Palestine technical college, near the camp.
The journalists were identified as Mohammad Halayqa, Mus’ab Shawar, and Sari Jaradat. Meanwhile, two Palestinian youth were reportedly detained during the clashes.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian students on their way home from school in al-Salaymeh neighborhood in the Old City district of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, local sources also reported, according to WAFA.
The settlers physically attacked students and used foul language against them, but no injuries were reported.
Israeli forces also attacked high school students from al-Sawiya al-Lubban high school, to the south of Nablus, with pepper spray, causing a number of them to suffocate, said a local official.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in northern West Bank district, said that Israeli soldiers sprayed students with pepper spray while they were heading back home from school.
Several students suffered from suffocation, including one case that necessitated transfer to hospital for medical treatment.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the towns of Ethna, Deir Samit, Sa’ir and Bani Neim, in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron, searched many homes and summoned two Palestinians for interrogation.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers invaded Ethna town, west of the city, and summoned a former political prisoner, identified as Lutfi Hassan Awwad for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, north of Hebron.
They added that the soldiers also summoned for interrogation Mohammad Yosri al-Hroub, after invading his home in Deir Samit town, west of Hebron.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in Sa’ir town, east of Hebron, and Beit Ummar town, north of the city.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers invaded Ethna town, west of the city, and summoned a former political prisoner, identified as Lutfi Hassan Awwad for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, north of Hebron.
They added that the soldiers also summoned for interrogation Mohammad Yosri al-Hroub, after invading his home in Deir Samit town, west of Hebron.
The soldiers also invaded and searched many homes in Sa’ir town, east of Hebron, and Beit Ummar town, north of the city.
Arafat Najeeb
Dozens of Israeli settlers renewed on Wednesday their break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection.
Islamic Endowment Authority reported that 54 settlers stormed the Mosque for four hours and performed Talmudic rituals in provocation to Muslims worshipers.
Large numbers of Israeli police and Special Forces were deployed early today in the courtyards to provide protection to the settlers’ tours.
Earlier Wednesday, two guards at al-Aqsa were detained and denied entry into the holy shrine for a week while four others were summoned for investigation.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct A Guard Of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli soldiers abducted, earlier Wednesday, a Palestinian guard of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem and summoned four others for interrogation.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the soldiers abducted the guard, identified as Arafat Najeeb, while trying to enter the holy site through Hotta Gate.
They added that the soldiers also summoned four other guards for interrogation in the al-Qashla police station near Hebron Gate, in the Old City.
They have been identified as Hamza Nibali, Luay Abu Sa’ad, Khalil Tarhouni and Fadi ‘Oleyyan.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Jenin city in the northern West Bank, before storming a blacksmith workshop, and confiscated various machines.
Dozens of Israeli settlers renewed on Wednesday their break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection.
Islamic Endowment Authority reported that 54 settlers stormed the Mosque for four hours and performed Talmudic rituals in provocation to Muslims worshipers.
Large numbers of Israeli police and Special Forces were deployed early today in the courtyards to provide protection to the settlers’ tours.
Earlier Wednesday, two guards at al-Aqsa were detained and denied entry into the holy shrine for a week while four others were summoned for investigation.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct A Guard Of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli soldiers abducted, earlier Wednesday, a Palestinian guard of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem and summoned four others for interrogation.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the soldiers abducted the guard, identified as Arafat Najeeb, while trying to enter the holy site through Hotta Gate.
They added that the soldiers also summoned four other guards for interrogation in the al-Qashla police station near Hebron Gate, in the Old City.
They have been identified as Hamza Nibali, Luay Abu Sa’ad, Khalil Tarhouni and Fadi ‘Oleyyan.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Jenin city in the northern West Bank, before storming a blacksmith workshop, and confiscated various machines.
