25 feb 2014
|
|
The life of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees inside Israeli jails:
By: PressTV: Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and Ex-detainees said that Israeli forces have arrested 10,000 Palestinians since the outbreak of second Intifada in September 2000. On the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, the ministry said in a report that Israel is holding 250 children in prisons and detention camps. The Al-Aqsa Intifada broke out in September 28, 2000, following a visit by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. |
The ministry said that 90 percent of the children were arrested from their homes during arrest campaigns that the Israeli army usually carries after midnight. The ministry added that the majority of them were forced to sign confessions written in Hebrew.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and prisoner advocacy groups, there are currently thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, many of whom have been rounded up without charge or trial.
On this week's INfocus, we learn about the story of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails and those who are learning to cope with life outside the Israeli prisons where they were held for some 20-30 years.
**********************************************************
#UFree_Network_Media_Centre:
UFree Network | An independent European-wide human rights network, set up to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees.
http://facebook.com/ufreenetwork
http://twitter.com/ufreenetwork
http://youtube.com/ufreenetworkofficial
http://www.ufree-p.net
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and prisoner advocacy groups, there are currently thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, many of whom have been rounded up without charge or trial.
On this week's INfocus, we learn about the story of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails and those who are learning to cope with life outside the Israeli prisons where they were held for some 20-30 years.
**********************************************************
#UFree_Network_Media_Centre:
UFree Network | An independent European-wide human rights network, set up to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees.
http://facebook.com/ufreenetwork
http://twitter.com/ufreenetwork
http://youtube.com/ufreenetworkofficial
http://www.ufree-p.net
Brigadier General Fuad Shobaki, aged 74, was transferred on Monday to Hadassah Hospital after he began to lose his sight because of the medical neglect in the Israeli jails, prisoners said. Shobaki is held in Ashkelon jail where he is serving a prison sentence of 30 years. He was arrested in March, 2006 on charges of masterminding the Karine-A deal with Iran, involvement in the assassination of former Israeli minister Rechavam Ze’evi and acquisition of arms.
Shobaki family appealed to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to take action to save his life and demand his release, considering his age and the various diseases he is suffering from.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prisoners' Center for Studies said that the health condition of captive patient Khalil Baraq'a, 35, from Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, has deteriorated due to medical negligence in Israeli jails.
Director of the center captive Osama Shaheen pointed out that the health of the prisoner Baraq'a has recently deteriorated, which required his transfer to Marash Hospital in Ramle prison, three days ago.
Baraq'a suffers from many diseases, including hypertension, spondylolisthesis, stomach ulcers and sinusitis. He underwent a number of medical tests months ago, but has not been provided with the appropriate treatment.
Baraq'a has been detained since the 26th of July 2002, and was sentenced to 20 times life imprisonment. He is held in Nafha prison, and had earlier been subjected to solitary confinement for more than three years which aggravated his illness.
The prisoner's family expressed its grave concern about his life, given the policy of medical neglect adopted by the occupation authorities against the prisoners. It has called upon all concerned parties, in particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross, to visit Baraq'a and check on his health condition.
Shobaki family appealed to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to take action to save his life and demand his release, considering his age and the various diseases he is suffering from.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prisoners' Center for Studies said that the health condition of captive patient Khalil Baraq'a, 35, from Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, has deteriorated due to medical negligence in Israeli jails.
Director of the center captive Osama Shaheen pointed out that the health of the prisoner Baraq'a has recently deteriorated, which required his transfer to Marash Hospital in Ramle prison, three days ago.
Baraq'a suffers from many diseases, including hypertension, spondylolisthesis, stomach ulcers and sinusitis. He underwent a number of medical tests months ago, but has not been provided with the appropriate treatment.
Baraq'a has been detained since the 26th of July 2002, and was sentenced to 20 times life imprisonment. He is held in Nafha prison, and had earlier been subjected to solitary confinement for more than three years which aggravated his illness.
The prisoner's family expressed its grave concern about his life, given the policy of medical neglect adopted by the occupation authorities against the prisoners. It has called upon all concerned parties, in particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross, to visit Baraq'a and check on his health condition.
Palestinian detainee Mohammad Abu al-Rub, held in Megiddo prison, threatened to go on hunger strike in case Israeli prison administration continued to deny him badly needed surgery in light of his continued health deterioration for the past six years. In a leaked letter, Abu al-Rub appealed to the Palestinian people, human rights organizations, and the free world to support Palestinian prisoner patients and to save them before it is too late.
“I'm still waiting to undergo new medical tests. If there is no improvement I'm going to launch an open hunger strike despite my difficult health condition in order to put an end to my suffering,” he said.
The detainee pointed out that he has been suffering constant aches and bleeding over the past six years amid the prison administration's deliberate medical negligence.
“In 2005, I underwent a surgery to remove a tumor from my spine. Following the operation I started losing weight and suffering iron deficiency anemia and bleeding. One year later, the tumor appeared again where I underwent ten surgeries to remove it. During the last surgery, Israeli doctors told me I suffer liver and intestines problems,” Abu al-Rub’s letter read.
“In 2010, I've conducted CT scan that shows that I have a chronic intestines inflammation,” he said, adding, “I was then transferred to Ramle prison hospital where the doctor told me that I have nothing serious, and here my real suffering started.”
“Over the past five years, I was being transferred repeatedly from one doctor to another,” he added, saying that during the last visit the doctor asked the prison clinic not to send him again.
“I spent the last five years in Afula hospital suffering from sharp pains and constant bleeding without receiving treatment,” he said, adding, “I'm still waiting to conduct new medical tests and the prison doctors told me that my medical records were manipulated and neglected”.
“I'm still waiting to undergo new medical tests. If there is no improvement I'm going to launch an open hunger strike despite my difficult health condition in order to put an end to my suffering,” he said.
The detainee pointed out that he has been suffering constant aches and bleeding over the past six years amid the prison administration's deliberate medical negligence.
“In 2005, I underwent a surgery to remove a tumor from my spine. Following the operation I started losing weight and suffering iron deficiency anemia and bleeding. One year later, the tumor appeared again where I underwent ten surgeries to remove it. During the last surgery, Israeli doctors told me I suffer liver and intestines problems,” Abu al-Rub’s letter read.
“In 2010, I've conducted CT scan that shows that I have a chronic intestines inflammation,” he said, adding, “I was then transferred to Ramle prison hospital where the doctor told me that I have nothing serious, and here my real suffering started.”
“Over the past five years, I was being transferred repeatedly from one doctor to another,” he added, saying that during the last visit the doctor asked the prison clinic not to send him again.
“I spent the last five years in Afula hospital suffering from sharp pains and constant bleeding without receiving treatment,” he said, adding, “I'm still waiting to conduct new medical tests and the prison doctors told me that my medical records were manipulated and neglected”.
The Israeli forces arrested Tuesday 14 people from the districts of Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, local witnesses and security sources said. Israeli military jeeps stormed Rujib residential building and Ad-Dahiyeh residential neighborhood and arrested Fares Abu Hasan, an attorney with International Solidarity Movement (ISM), as well as Ahmad Hamid Al-Bitawi, a researcher in ISM and an advocate of Palestinian prisoners, after breaking into and searching their houses in eastern city of Nablus.
Forces also arrested Usama Maqbul and Narmin Salem, who work respectively as an attorney and secretary with ISM office, after breaking into and searching their houses in the Old City of Nablus.
They also stormed the ISM headquarters in Al-Israʻ building and seized computers along with some documents related to Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile in Jenin district, forces arrested three people aged between 20 and 22 years after breaking into, searching and wrecking havoc into their houses in Burqin, located to the south of Jenin.
They also broke into and searched the house of Deyaʻ Ismaʻil, an ex-detainee, and interrogated his family members in Zuba, a village located to the west of Jenin.
Meanwhile in Hebron district, forces stormed Al-Sheikh neighborhood in central Hebron and arrested two people aged 25 and 26 years after breaking into and searching their houses.
Forces also stormed Saʻir and Beit Ummar, located to the northwest of Hebron, handed two people orders to appear before the Israeli military intelligence and arrested Yousef Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 39, the Spokesperson of the Anti-Settlement Popular Committee in Beit Ummar, after breaking and wrecking havoc into his house.
In Jerusalem, large Israeli police troops stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and arrested at least three youths. This took place during confrontations that erupted when Israeli police attempted to forcibly disperse Palestinian worshippers and protestors, who spent their night inside the complex in protest of Israeli plans to place the complex under the full Israeli jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, forces arrested a thirty-year-old person and handed a twenty-three year old man an order to appear before the Israeli military intelligence after breaking into and searching their houses in Beit Fajjar, a town located to the south of Bethlehem.
Four Palestinians Kidnapped In Bethlehem, Hebron
Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn [February 25 2014] two Palestinians in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and two Palestinians in the Hebron district in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. At least seven Palestinians Kidnapped in West Bank.
Local sources in Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that several Israeli military jeeps invaded the town, and kidnapped a former political prisoner identified as Walid Issa Taqatqa, and took him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also handed resident Hazem Nimir Taqatqa a military warrant, ordering him to head to the Etzion military base, near Bethlehem, for interrogation.
On Monday evening, soldiers invaded the Saff Street, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Bilal Khader, 19 years of age, after the army broke into his home, and violently searched it.
Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers invaded the Sheikh neighborhood, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
Local sources said the soldiers broke into, and violently searched several homes, and kidnapped Baha’ Hasan Ma’bad, 26, and Sary Mohammad Ma’bad, 25, and took them to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded the home of resident Qassem Ed’eis, and handed his son Niad, two warrants for interrogation by the army and the “security” forces.
In related news, the Solidarity Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR) has reported that Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn, its lawyer and its researcher.
It said the soldiers kidnapped its lawyer, Fares Riyad Abu al-Hasan, and its researcher Ahmad Hamed al-Beetawy.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped resident Abdul-Hamid Abu Mariyya, 40, in Khallit al-Ein neighborhood in Hebron, after violently searching his home.
Israeli soldiers conduct daily assaults, invasions and arrests targeting the Palestinians, their homes and property, in different parts of occupied Palestine, as part of ongoing violations against the Palestinian people.
In related news, Israeli sources said indictments were filed, Tuesday, against four Palestinians, allegedly for implanting an explosive charge in an Israeli bus in Bat Yam, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
The indictment states the four, who remained unidentified, placed the explosive in the bus, three months ago, and that an Israeli police officer was mildly injured in the attack.
Forces also arrested Usama Maqbul and Narmin Salem, who work respectively as an attorney and secretary with ISM office, after breaking into and searching their houses in the Old City of Nablus.
They also stormed the ISM headquarters in Al-Israʻ building and seized computers along with some documents related to Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile in Jenin district, forces arrested three people aged between 20 and 22 years after breaking into, searching and wrecking havoc into their houses in Burqin, located to the south of Jenin.
They also broke into and searched the house of Deyaʻ Ismaʻil, an ex-detainee, and interrogated his family members in Zuba, a village located to the west of Jenin.
Meanwhile in Hebron district, forces stormed Al-Sheikh neighborhood in central Hebron and arrested two people aged 25 and 26 years after breaking into and searching their houses.
Forces also stormed Saʻir and Beit Ummar, located to the northwest of Hebron, handed two people orders to appear before the Israeli military intelligence and arrested Yousef Abdul Hamid Abu Maria, 39, the Spokesperson of the Anti-Settlement Popular Committee in Beit Ummar, after breaking and wrecking havoc into his house.
In Jerusalem, large Israeli police troops stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and arrested at least three youths. This took place during confrontations that erupted when Israeli police attempted to forcibly disperse Palestinian worshippers and protestors, who spent their night inside the complex in protest of Israeli plans to place the complex under the full Israeli jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, forces arrested a thirty-year-old person and handed a twenty-three year old man an order to appear before the Israeli military intelligence after breaking into and searching their houses in Beit Fajjar, a town located to the south of Bethlehem.
Four Palestinians Kidnapped In Bethlehem, Hebron
Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn [February 25 2014] two Palestinians in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and two Palestinians in the Hebron district in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. At least seven Palestinians Kidnapped in West Bank.
Local sources in Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that several Israeli military jeeps invaded the town, and kidnapped a former political prisoner identified as Walid Issa Taqatqa, and took him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also handed resident Hazem Nimir Taqatqa a military warrant, ordering him to head to the Etzion military base, near Bethlehem, for interrogation.
On Monday evening, soldiers invaded the Saff Street, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Bilal Khader, 19 years of age, after the army broke into his home, and violently searched it.
Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers invaded the Sheikh neighborhood, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
Local sources said the soldiers broke into, and violently searched several homes, and kidnapped Baha’ Hasan Ma’bad, 26, and Sary Mohammad Ma’bad, 25, and took them to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded the home of resident Qassem Ed’eis, and handed his son Niad, two warrants for interrogation by the army and the “security” forces.
In related news, the Solidarity Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR) has reported that Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn, its lawyer and its researcher.
It said the soldiers kidnapped its lawyer, Fares Riyad Abu al-Hasan, and its researcher Ahmad Hamed al-Beetawy.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped resident Abdul-Hamid Abu Mariyya, 40, in Khallit al-Ein neighborhood in Hebron, after violently searching his home.
Israeli soldiers conduct daily assaults, invasions and arrests targeting the Palestinians, their homes and property, in different parts of occupied Palestine, as part of ongoing violations against the Palestinian people.
In related news, Israeli sources said indictments were filed, Tuesday, against four Palestinians, allegedly for implanting an explosive charge in an Israeli bus in Bat Yam, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
The indictment states the four, who remained unidentified, placed the explosive in the bus, three months ago, and that an Israeli police officer was mildly injured in the attack.
Jihad Abd al-Rahman al-Taweel 47
A Palestinian prisoner who was assaulted by guards in an Israeli jail earlier in February has succumbed to his injuries, the man's brother said Tuesday.
Jihad Abd al-Rahman al-Taweel, a 47-year-old man from Jerusalem, died at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba late Monday, Sharif al-Taweel told Ma'an.
Jihad al-Taweel was hospitalized over two weeks ago after Israeli guards raided his ward and assaulted prisoners with pepper spray, a relative of the man said Friday.
Al-Taweel passed out during the assault, the relative said.
A week after al-Taweel was hospitalized, the Israeli prison service had asked his family to sign discharge papers, but the family refused to sign until they could ensure his situation had stabilized enough for him to be discharged.
The relative said that al-Taweel, who was a father of five, was serving a three-month sentence in Beersheba prison after Israeli police caught him driving a vehicle without a driver's license.
A Palestinian prisoner who was assaulted by guards in an Israeli jail earlier in February has succumbed to his injuries, the man's brother said Tuesday.
Jihad Abd al-Rahman al-Taweel, a 47-year-old man from Jerusalem, died at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba late Monday, Sharif al-Taweel told Ma'an.
Jihad al-Taweel was hospitalized over two weeks ago after Israeli guards raided his ward and assaulted prisoners with pepper spray, a relative of the man said Friday.
Al-Taweel passed out during the assault, the relative said.
A week after al-Taweel was hospitalized, the Israeli prison service had asked his family to sign discharge papers, but the family refused to sign until they could ensure his situation had stabilized enough for him to be discharged.
The relative said that al-Taweel, who was a father of five, was serving a three-month sentence in Beersheba prison after Israeli police caught him driving a vehicle without a driver's license.
Israeli troops and police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex early Tuesday and forcefully dispersed Palestinian worshipers and protesters ahead of a Knesset debate on a plan to annex the mosque.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades at Muslim worshipers while protesters hurled stones.
Several worshipers were hurt as a result of the pepper spray and others were hit directly by rubber-coated bullets, witnesses said.
They added that Israeli intelligence agents stormed the Al-Aqsa complex through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and blockaded the prayer hall, closing its gates with chains.
Meanwhile, Jerusalemite students who study inside the complex were denied entry to Al-Aqsa, and three youths trying to access the complex though the Chain Gate were arrested, witnesses said.
Director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Azzam al-Khatib said that Israeli forces also closed the Moroccan Gate and denied Jewish extremists entry to the complex.
He added that Israeli forces later pulled out and were deployed at the main gates.
Around 50 Palestinians had spent the night inside the complex in protest of an Israeli Knesset debate, scheduled for Tuesday, over a plan to place the holy site under full Israeli jurisdiction.
Their protest was also in reaction to reports that Israeli rightist organizations had announced plans to raise Israeli flags inside the Al-Aqsa complex.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP that Israeli police used "means of dispersion" against stone-throwing protesters at the mosque.
Rosenfeld said there was "high tension" ahead of the Knesset debate.
Right-wing Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin initiated Al-Aqsa annexation debate, which was originally scheduled for last Tuesday. On Wednesday, Feiglin visited the mosque escorted by Israeli police and a cameraman.
Due to the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls the compound -- overseen by Jordan -- to restrict the area for Muslim prayers.
Israeli forces, however, regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, often leading to tension with Palestinians.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades at Muslim worshipers while protesters hurled stones.
Several worshipers were hurt as a result of the pepper spray and others were hit directly by rubber-coated bullets, witnesses said.
They added that Israeli intelligence agents stormed the Al-Aqsa complex through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and blockaded the prayer hall, closing its gates with chains.
Meanwhile, Jerusalemite students who study inside the complex were denied entry to Al-Aqsa, and three youths trying to access the complex though the Chain Gate were arrested, witnesses said.
Director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Azzam al-Khatib said that Israeli forces also closed the Moroccan Gate and denied Jewish extremists entry to the complex.
He added that Israeli forces later pulled out and were deployed at the main gates.
Around 50 Palestinians had spent the night inside the complex in protest of an Israeli Knesset debate, scheduled for Tuesday, over a plan to place the holy site under full Israeli jurisdiction.
Their protest was also in reaction to reports that Israeli rightist organizations had announced plans to raise Israeli flags inside the Al-Aqsa complex.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP that Israeli police used "means of dispersion" against stone-throwing protesters at the mosque.
Rosenfeld said there was "high tension" ahead of the Knesset debate.
Right-wing Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin initiated Al-Aqsa annexation debate, which was originally scheduled for last Tuesday. On Wednesday, Feiglin visited the mosque escorted by Israeli police and a cameraman.
Due to the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls the compound -- overseen by Jordan -- to restrict the area for Muslim prayers.
Israeli forces, however, regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, often leading to tension with Palestinians.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
IOF Forces arrested Tuesday Fares Abu Hassan, Director and lawyer for the International Tadamun (Solidarity) for Human Rights, and the journalist and researcher at the institute Ahmed al-Beitawi.
Fouad Khuffash, Director of Ahrar Center for prisoners' studies condemned the abduction of Beitawi, stressing that the occupation is targeting the Palestinians who work in human rights institutions in attempts to intimidate them, break their wills and detain them.
Al-Khuffash called on human rights institutions and journalists' and lawyers' syndicates to work on releasing all human rights defenders and lawyers and work on exposing the Israeli violations that are committed against them.
Fouad Khuffash, Director of Ahrar Center for prisoners' studies condemned the abduction of Beitawi, stressing that the occupation is targeting the Palestinians who work in human rights institutions in attempts to intimidate them, break their wills and detain them.
Al-Khuffash called on human rights institutions and journalists' and lawyers' syndicates to work on releasing all human rights defenders and lawyers and work on exposing the Israeli violations that are committed against them.
Palestinian medical sources reported Monday [February 24, 2014] that two young Palestinian men were shot and injured by Israeli army fire in Teqoua’ town, southeast of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Two Palestinians kidnapped near Nablus.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that dozens of soldiers invaded the town, during noon hours Monday, and opened fire at local youths who hurled stones at them.
He added that a young man was shot by a live round in his leg, and was moved to the Beit Jala Governmental Hospital, and that another young man was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet.
In related news, Israeli military sources said the army kidnapped, Monday, two young Palestinian men allegedly after they threw a homemade grenade at an area in Elon Moreh illegal Israeli settlement, near Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The army said the soldiers chased the two Palestinians, and kidnapped them, before moving them to an interrogation facility.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that dozens of soldiers invaded the town, during noon hours Monday, and opened fire at local youths who hurled stones at them.
He added that a young man was shot by a live round in his leg, and was moved to the Beit Jala Governmental Hospital, and that another young man was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet.
In related news, Israeli military sources said the army kidnapped, Monday, two young Palestinian men allegedly after they threw a homemade grenade at an area in Elon Moreh illegal Israeli settlement, near Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The army said the soldiers chased the two Palestinians, and kidnapped them, before moving them to an interrogation facility.
The Israeli Military Censorship Department claimed the Police and the Internal Security Agency managed to uncover a Hamas-run cell over the last few months, and arrested 15 young men from Beit ‘Or Al-Tihta, near the Central West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israel claimed that Palestinians hurled Molotov Cocktails and stones at settlers’ vehicles driving on road #443, leading to West Bank settlements, causing property damage and several injuries.
The report indicated that some members of the alleged cell have been previously kidnapped and imprisoned by the Israeli military.
Furthermore, Israeli daily, Maariv, quoted Israeli security officials stating that the interrogation of the detained cell members also led to arresting a Hamas cell that was reportedly responsible for planting an explosive charge that detonated near an Israeli military jeep on road #443.
It added that three of the detained Palestinians, one of them identified as Mos’ab Ibrahim Badran, 27, “confessed” to being members of the cell, and that Badran confessed to forming the cell, according to the Israeli report.
Israel claimed that Palestinians hurled Molotov Cocktails and stones at settlers’ vehicles driving on road #443, leading to West Bank settlements, causing property damage and several injuries.
The report indicated that some members of the alleged cell have been previously kidnapped and imprisoned by the Israeli military.
Furthermore, Israeli daily, Maariv, quoted Israeli security officials stating that the interrogation of the detained cell members also led to arresting a Hamas cell that was reportedly responsible for planting an explosive charge that detonated near an Israeli military jeep on road #443.
It added that three of the detained Palestinians, one of them identified as Mos’ab Ibrahim Badran, 27, “confessed” to being members of the cell, and that Badran confessed to forming the cell, according to the Israeli report.
Local sources have reported that several Israeli military jeeps invaded Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped a nonviolent activist against Israel’s illegal Settlements and the Annexation Wall.
Mohammad Awad, head of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, said dozens of soldiers invaded the home of Yousef Abdul-Hamid Abu Mariyya, 40, in Khallit al-Ein neighborhood, and kidnapped him after violently searching his property.
Awad added that the soldiers invaded the home of Abu Mariyya using a machine that can silently open doors, without waking the family up, and attacked Abu Mariyya in his bed, before kidnapping him.
The soldiers left the town later on, and took the kidnapped Palestinian to an unknown destination.
Also on Tuesday at dawn, soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a Palestinian lawyer and a Palestinian journalist, and took them to an unknown destination.
Mohammad Awad, head of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, said dozens of soldiers invaded the home of Yousef Abdul-Hamid Abu Mariyya, 40, in Khallit al-Ein neighborhood, and kidnapped him after violently searching his property.
Awad added that the soldiers invaded the home of Abu Mariyya using a machine that can silently open doors, without waking the family up, and attacked Abu Mariyya in his bed, before kidnapping him.
The soldiers left the town later on, and took the kidnapped Palestinian to an unknown destination.
Also on Tuesday at dawn, soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a Palestinian lawyer and a Palestinian journalist, and took them to an unknown destination.
Four Palestinians suspected of involvement in killing a man in Yatta south of Hebron have fled to an Israeli military camp that has refused to hand them to the Palestinian Authority, police said.
The four suspects are accused of killing Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, from Yatta earlier on Monday.
"The Israeli army, which is protecting the suspects, claimed that the four are Israeli soldiers who entered the camp in civilian outfits and are under (its) protection," a police statement said.
The statement explained that al-Ardah was struck with an iron rod and was taken to a hospital where he pronounced dead on arrival. After initial investigations four people who had argued with the man were sought but they fled to an Israeli military camp in Masafer Yatta, it said.
“It was not enough for the Israeli army to commit organized crime against our people … Now they work on harboring fugitives,” the statement concluded.
An Israeli military spokesman responded that eight people were detained and taken for questioning after an incident in a nearby town but did not elaborate.
The spokesman referred further inquiries to a police spokesman who did not immediately return calls late Monday.
The four suspects are accused of killing Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, from Yatta earlier on Monday.
"The Israeli army, which is protecting the suspects, claimed that the four are Israeli soldiers who entered the camp in civilian outfits and are under (its) protection," a police statement said.
The statement explained that al-Ardah was struck with an iron rod and was taken to a hospital where he pronounced dead on arrival. After initial investigations four people who had argued with the man were sought but they fled to an Israeli military camp in Masafer Yatta, it said.
“It was not enough for the Israeli army to commit organized crime against our people … Now they work on harboring fugitives,” the statement concluded.
An Israeli military spokesman responded that eight people were detained and taken for questioning after an incident in a nearby town but did not elaborate.
The spokesman referred further inquiries to a police spokesman who did not immediately return calls late Monday.
24 feb 2014
Dozens of school students suffocated on Monday morning during the clashes that broke out at the checkpoint of Shu’fat refugee camp.
The Jerusalemite activist, Thaer Fasfoos, said that an Israeli force was stationed at the checkpoint since the early morning.
When the students tried to pass through as usual, the forces refused until each one showed them his birth certificate; note that are aged between 12 and 15 years.
He added that the forces detained the students and refused to let them go through to their school which led to the breakout of clashes where the forces deliberately fired gas and bomb grenades towards the students which led to the suffocation of many students. The forces also chased some of the students and assaulted and beat them using their batons.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that a 10-year old child was injured with a rubber bullet in his leg.
The Jerusalemite activist, Thaer Fasfoos, said that an Israeli force was stationed at the checkpoint since the early morning.
When the students tried to pass through as usual, the forces refused until each one showed them his birth certificate; note that are aged between 12 and 15 years.
He added that the forces detained the students and refused to let them go through to their school which led to the breakout of clashes where the forces deliberately fired gas and bomb grenades towards the students which led to the suffocation of many students. The forces also chased some of the students and assaulted and beat them using their batons.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that a 10-year old child was injured with a rubber bullet in his leg.
The Israeli Intelligence handed several young men from Silwan calls for investigation at the detention centers in Jerusalem.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the Intelligence and Israeli forces raided the neighbourhoods of Silwan and handed several young men call to investigate them and other were called by phone.
Among those young men were Abdelraheem Abbasi and his brother Mohammad.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the Intelligence and Israeli forces raided the neighbourhoods of Silwan and handed several young men call to investigate them and other were called by phone.
Among those young men were Abdelraheem Abbasi and his brother Mohammad.
The Israeli Supreme Court approved on Monday the appeal submitted by the public prosecution against the District court’s decision to imprison 21-year old Mohammad Abdullah Mahmoud for 6 months, and the Supreme Court judge decided to imprison Mohammad for one year in addition to the 2500 NIS that needs to pay according to the District court’s decision.
Mohammad brother, Fadi, explained that the prosecution appealed the District court’s decision after a month and a half of making the decision.
Mahmoud pointed out that the Musta’ribin unit arrested his brother while he was heading to his home in the village of Esawyeh on 23/08/2013 and assaulted him with the butts off their guns and their hands injuring him with bruises and wounds all over his body; note that Mohammad was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital for treatment.
He added that the court released his brother a month after arresting him with a financial bail and on condition of open house arrest and he was not allowed to practice his normal life throughout the last period of time.
Mohammad brother, Fadi, explained that the prosecution appealed the District court’s decision after a month and a half of making the decision.
Mahmoud pointed out that the Musta’ribin unit arrested his brother while he was heading to his home in the village of Esawyeh on 23/08/2013 and assaulted him with the butts off their guns and their hands injuring him with bruises and wounds all over his body; note that Mohammad was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital for treatment.
He added that the court released his brother a month after arresting him with a financial bail and on condition of open house arrest and he was not allowed to practice his normal life throughout the last period of time.
Palestinian detainees held in Ashkelon prison complained of the Israeli escalated violations against them including medical malpractice and neglect, in addition to overcrowded prison conditions. Following his visit to Ashkelon prison, the lawyer Kareem Ajwa said that 14 detainees are being held in each room, although it only accommodates 6 inmates and contains only one bathroom.
The lawyer charged that Palestinian detainees are exposed to deliberate medical negligence practiced by Israeli doctors especially the former doctor who has been recently transferred to Ramle prison hospital.
The lawyer charged that Palestinian detainees are exposed to deliberate medical negligence practiced by Israeli doctors especially the former doctor who has been recently transferred to Ramle prison hospital.
The group members were accused of throwing rocks
The Israeli security agency Shin Bet said Monday that it arrested a group of 15 Palestinians in recent months in the Beit Ur al-Tahta village near Ramallah, Israeli media reported.
They are suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at vehicles driving on Route 443 near the village, which caused a number of injuries.
The suspects were discovered during an investigation into an alleged Hamas cell that was accused of planning to plant a bomb on the same road, Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported.
Three of the suspects were said to have admitted to their involvement in the cell, including Musab Ibrahim Badran, 27, who allegedly led the group, Maariv reported.
The Israeli security agency Shin Bet said Monday that it arrested a group of 15 Palestinians in recent months in the Beit Ur al-Tahta village near Ramallah, Israeli media reported.
They are suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at vehicles driving on Route 443 near the village, which caused a number of injuries.
The suspects were discovered during an investigation into an alleged Hamas cell that was accused of planning to plant a bomb on the same road, Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported.
Three of the suspects were said to have admitted to their involvement in the cell, including Musab Ibrahim Badran, 27, who allegedly led the group, Maariv reported.
Assistance to torture regimes violates US & international law
Guest post by Daniel Wickham
The top ten recipients of US foreign assistance this year all practice torture and are responsible for major human rights abuses, according to the findings of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other leading human rights organisations. This may be in violation of existing US law, which requires that little or no aid be provided to a country which “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including torture.”
A report released by the Congressional Research Service lists the following countries as the largest beneficiaries of US government-provided aid planned for 2014:
1. Israel - $3.1bn
2. Afghanistan - $2.2bn
3. Egypt - $1.6bn
4. Pakistan - $1.2bn
5. Nigeria - $693m
6. Jordan - $671m
7. Iraq - $573m
8. Kenya - $564m
9. Tanzania - $553m
10.Uganda -$456m
All ten have been accused of torturing people in the last year, and at least half of them are reported to be doing so on a massive scale. In Afghanistan, for example, a UN report that torture in prisons continues to be “widespread”, with over half of the 635 detainees who were interviewed claiming to have been abused. According to Amnesty International, torture is also “widespread” in Uganda and remains “common” practice in Iraq.
Elsewhere, in Kenya, Human Rights Watch claim that “police in Nairobi tortured, raped and otherwise abused and arbitrarily detained at least 1,000 refugees between mid-November 2012 and late January 2013.” Tanzanians “at most risk of HIV” also face “widespread police abuse” - including torture - and are “regularly raped, assaulted and arrested.”
The worst abuses in detention, however, are alleged to be happening Nigeria, where in addition to the “widespread” use of torture, nearly a thousand people died in military custody in the first six months of 2013. A senior officer in the Nigerian army, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that “about five people, on average, are killed nearly on a daily basis.” According to the Associated Press, “if the number is accurate, Nigeria’s military has killed more civilians than the (Boko Haram) militants did” in the same six month period.
The “abysmal” human rights situation in Egypt, whose government still receives half a billion dollars in foreign aid annually from the United States, is also a pressing concern. According to Tayab Ali of ITN solicitors in London, “the evidence suggests that Egypt’s military regime has carried out crimes against humanity on a horrendous scale, including murder, persecution, torture and enforced disappearances.” At least 1,300 protesters have been massacred and anywhere between 3,500 and 21,317 Muslim Brotherhood supporters arrested since the elected government of Mohammed Morsi was overthrown in a coup d’etat in July.
Although the crackdown shows no signs of letting up, with dozens more killed on the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising in January, the United States is on course to increase its support for the military regime after Congress passed a new bill which will allow the US to restore the full $1.5bn in foreign assistance which is traditionally provided.
Israel, the top recipient of US military aid, has also been accused of committing major human rights abuses over the last year, including the torture of Palestinian children. A recent report by the Public Committee against Torture in Israel described how detained children “suspected of minor crimes” have been sexually assaulted by Israeli security forces and kept in outdoor cages during the winter.
It found that “74% of Palestinian child detainees experience physical violence during arrest, transfer or interrogation.” This would appear to back up the claims of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which last year reported that “Palestinian children are systematically subject to degrading treatment, and often to acts of torture” by the Israeli military and police.
Likewise, in Jordan and Pakistan, torture is practiced with “near-total impunity.” The Pakistani authorities have carried out particularly egregious human rights abuses in the province of Balochistan, where 160 people have been extra-judicially killed and 510 “disappeared” over the last year. According to reports from the country’s most widely read English-language newspaper, at least 592 mutilated dead bodies have now been found since January 2010. The United States, however, has kept silent on the mounting evidence of atrocities and continues to provide over a billion dollars in foreign assistance annually, making it Pakistan’s “largest donor of development and military aid.”
A number of other recipients of US foreign assistance are also alleged to practice torture systematically. In Bahrain, for example, Amnesty International report that “children are being routinely detained, ill-treated and tortured”, while in Mexico and Ethiopia, torture is described as “widespread.” Controversially, the Obama administration has also recently restored military aid to Uzbekistan, where the UN claim torture is practiced in its “worst forms.” In one particularly horrifying case, a man was actually boiled to death in an Uzbek prison for allegedly being a member of an Islamist group.
In spite of this, the United States remains a signatory of the United Nations Convention against Torture, which it ratified in 1994 [PDF]. However, the fact that the top ten recipients of US foreign assistance all practice torture raises serious questions about the Obama administration’s stance on human rights. If the United States wants to be taken seriously on these issues, a serious re-evaluation of its foreign assistance programme is needed. At a minimum, the Obama administration should respect existing US law by placing conditions, such as an end to the practice of torture, on the provision of military aid to foreign governments, which will hopefully then push those governments towards reform and a greater respect for human rights.
Guest post by Daniel Wickham
The top ten recipients of US foreign assistance this year all practice torture and are responsible for major human rights abuses, according to the findings of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other leading human rights organisations. This may be in violation of existing US law, which requires that little or no aid be provided to a country which “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including torture.”
A report released by the Congressional Research Service lists the following countries as the largest beneficiaries of US government-provided aid planned for 2014:
1. Israel - $3.1bn
2. Afghanistan - $2.2bn
3. Egypt - $1.6bn
4. Pakistan - $1.2bn
5. Nigeria - $693m
6. Jordan - $671m
7. Iraq - $573m
8. Kenya - $564m
9. Tanzania - $553m
10.Uganda -$456m
All ten have been accused of torturing people in the last year, and at least half of them are reported to be doing so on a massive scale. In Afghanistan, for example, a UN report that torture in prisons continues to be “widespread”, with over half of the 635 detainees who were interviewed claiming to have been abused. According to Amnesty International, torture is also “widespread” in Uganda and remains “common” practice in Iraq.
Elsewhere, in Kenya, Human Rights Watch claim that “police in Nairobi tortured, raped and otherwise abused and arbitrarily detained at least 1,000 refugees between mid-November 2012 and late January 2013.” Tanzanians “at most risk of HIV” also face “widespread police abuse” - including torture - and are “regularly raped, assaulted and arrested.”
The worst abuses in detention, however, are alleged to be happening Nigeria, where in addition to the “widespread” use of torture, nearly a thousand people died in military custody in the first six months of 2013. A senior officer in the Nigerian army, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that “about five people, on average, are killed nearly on a daily basis.” According to the Associated Press, “if the number is accurate, Nigeria’s military has killed more civilians than the (Boko Haram) militants did” in the same six month period.
The “abysmal” human rights situation in Egypt, whose government still receives half a billion dollars in foreign aid annually from the United States, is also a pressing concern. According to Tayab Ali of ITN solicitors in London, “the evidence suggests that Egypt’s military regime has carried out crimes against humanity on a horrendous scale, including murder, persecution, torture and enforced disappearances.” At least 1,300 protesters have been massacred and anywhere between 3,500 and 21,317 Muslim Brotherhood supporters arrested since the elected government of Mohammed Morsi was overthrown in a coup d’etat in July.
Although the crackdown shows no signs of letting up, with dozens more killed on the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising in January, the United States is on course to increase its support for the military regime after Congress passed a new bill which will allow the US to restore the full $1.5bn in foreign assistance which is traditionally provided.
Israel, the top recipient of US military aid, has also been accused of committing major human rights abuses over the last year, including the torture of Palestinian children. A recent report by the Public Committee against Torture in Israel described how detained children “suspected of minor crimes” have been sexually assaulted by Israeli security forces and kept in outdoor cages during the winter.
It found that “74% of Palestinian child detainees experience physical violence during arrest, transfer or interrogation.” This would appear to back up the claims of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which last year reported that “Palestinian children are systematically subject to degrading treatment, and often to acts of torture” by the Israeli military and police.
Likewise, in Jordan and Pakistan, torture is practiced with “near-total impunity.” The Pakistani authorities have carried out particularly egregious human rights abuses in the province of Balochistan, where 160 people have been extra-judicially killed and 510 “disappeared” over the last year. According to reports from the country’s most widely read English-language newspaper, at least 592 mutilated dead bodies have now been found since January 2010. The United States, however, has kept silent on the mounting evidence of atrocities and continues to provide over a billion dollars in foreign assistance annually, making it Pakistan’s “largest donor of development and military aid.”
A number of other recipients of US foreign assistance are also alleged to practice torture systematically. In Bahrain, for example, Amnesty International report that “children are being routinely detained, ill-treated and tortured”, while in Mexico and Ethiopia, torture is described as “widespread.” Controversially, the Obama administration has also recently restored military aid to Uzbekistan, where the UN claim torture is practiced in its “worst forms.” In one particularly horrifying case, a man was actually boiled to death in an Uzbek prison for allegedly being a member of an Islamist group.
In spite of this, the United States remains a signatory of the United Nations Convention against Torture, which it ratified in 1994 [PDF]. However, the fact that the top ten recipients of US foreign assistance all practice torture raises serious questions about the Obama administration’s stance on human rights. If the United States wants to be taken seriously on these issues, a serious re-evaluation of its foreign assistance programme is needed. At a minimum, the Obama administration should respect existing US law by placing conditions, such as an end to the practice of torture, on the provision of military aid to foreign governments, which will hopefully then push those governments towards reform and a greater respect for human rights.
- This article was first published by Left Foot Forward
Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, a popular Palestinian figure known for his strong defense of the Aqsa Mosque
An Israeli magistrate court on Sunday held a new hearing into the case of Sheikh Ra'ed Salah and his wife, which is known as "Al-Karama crossing file" and listened to statements from three main people involved in the incident. The court heard three statements, the first one made by an intelligence official at the King Hussein crossing (Allenby Bridge) and two other statements from Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, and his wife.
The court session started, according to Al-Mezan center for human rights, with a protracted statement by the intelligence official in charge at the crossing.
The Israeli official talked about the search system and mechanisms pursued at the crossing, and his side of story about what had happened the moment Sheikh Salah and his wife arrived at the crossing.
He claimed that the search measures that were used with Sheikh Salah and his wife were in accordance with classified information, although nothing suspicious was found in their possession.
For their part, Sheikh Salah and his wife also gave their statements separately and in detail about what had happened to them at the crossing and the way they were searched, starting from looking into their belongings and clothing and then asking them to get ready for strip search, which he and his wife utterly refused.
At the end of the hearing, the Israeli judge set March 20 as a date for the next session to listen to further testimonies over the incident, and decided to summon the female soldier who asked the wife of Sheikh Salah to remove her clothes for search and tried to force her to do so upon her refusal.
A police officer working at the crossing would be cited to listen to his statement as well.
At the time of the incident, that police officer took statements from Sheikh Salah and his wife after they reported maltreatment and put what they were complaining about in writing, but later it was found out that this officer did not understand properly what they said and thus wrote their statements wrongly and inaccurately because he does not speak and write Arabic very well.
Following the hearing, Sheikh Salah stated in press remarks that he and his wife had to stand trial unwillingly because this situation was imposed upon them, adding that he affirmed to the court that they were the victims whose rights were violated by Israeli border officers.
"What they did in order to strip search my wife by force was a despicable behavior, which violates our Islamic concepts, and Arab and Palestinian values. We would never allow such act to happen to us whatever the cost," he stressed.
Al-Karama crossing incident dates back to April 16, 2011, when Sheikh Salah and his wife arrived at the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan after a trip to the holy land in Saudi Arabia.
The couple then was taken to a separate wing to be checked, and their belongings were searched, but suddenly a female soldier tried to strip search his wife, but she and her husband strongly refused and resisted such measure, which is considered a serious violation of the dignity and honor of a Muslim woman.
Later, an indictment was filed with the Jerusalem magistrate's court against Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, charging him with obstructing a law enforcement officer from doing her job.
An Israeli magistrate court on Sunday held a new hearing into the case of Sheikh Ra'ed Salah and his wife, which is known as "Al-Karama crossing file" and listened to statements from three main people involved in the incident. The court heard three statements, the first one made by an intelligence official at the King Hussein crossing (Allenby Bridge) and two other statements from Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, and his wife.
The court session started, according to Al-Mezan center for human rights, with a protracted statement by the intelligence official in charge at the crossing.
The Israeli official talked about the search system and mechanisms pursued at the crossing, and his side of story about what had happened the moment Sheikh Salah and his wife arrived at the crossing.
He claimed that the search measures that were used with Sheikh Salah and his wife were in accordance with classified information, although nothing suspicious was found in their possession.
For their part, Sheikh Salah and his wife also gave their statements separately and in detail about what had happened to them at the crossing and the way they were searched, starting from looking into their belongings and clothing and then asking them to get ready for strip search, which he and his wife utterly refused.
At the end of the hearing, the Israeli judge set March 20 as a date for the next session to listen to further testimonies over the incident, and decided to summon the female soldier who asked the wife of Sheikh Salah to remove her clothes for search and tried to force her to do so upon her refusal.
A police officer working at the crossing would be cited to listen to his statement as well.
At the time of the incident, that police officer took statements from Sheikh Salah and his wife after they reported maltreatment and put what they were complaining about in writing, but later it was found out that this officer did not understand properly what they said and thus wrote their statements wrongly and inaccurately because he does not speak and write Arabic very well.
Following the hearing, Sheikh Salah stated in press remarks that he and his wife had to stand trial unwillingly because this situation was imposed upon them, adding that he affirmed to the court that they were the victims whose rights were violated by Israeli border officers.
"What they did in order to strip search my wife by force was a despicable behavior, which violates our Islamic concepts, and Arab and Palestinian values. We would never allow such act to happen to us whatever the cost," he stressed.
Al-Karama crossing incident dates back to April 16, 2011, when Sheikh Salah and his wife arrived at the Allenby Bridge crossing with Jordan after a trip to the holy land in Saudi Arabia.
The couple then was taken to a separate wing to be checked, and their belongings were searched, but suddenly a female soldier tried to strip search his wife, but she and her husband strongly refused and resisted such measure, which is considered a serious violation of the dignity and honor of a Muslim woman.
Later, an indictment was filed with the Jerusalem magistrate's court against Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, charging him with obstructing a law enforcement officer from doing her job.
Dozens of Palestinians in Fawar refugee camp clashed with invading Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday for the second day in a row. Eyewitnesses told the PIC that the soldiers set up a roadblock at the entrance to the camp and maltreated passing citizens, which triggered the confrontations.
They said that the soldiers used teargas and sound bombs to disperse the angry inhabitants and went inside the camp, which heightened tensions and clashes.
The witnesses said that the soldiers closed nearby roads including the nearby entrance to Dura town.
They recalled that 20 citizens were treated for breathing problems on Sunday and many others suffered from the teargas inhalation today.
Meanwhile, local sources said that IOF soldiers rounded up three citizens in the city of Al-Khalil on Monday after breaking into homes in various suburbs.
They said that the soldiers used teargas and sound bombs to disperse the angry inhabitants and went inside the camp, which heightened tensions and clashes.
The witnesses said that the soldiers closed nearby roads including the nearby entrance to Dura town.
They recalled that 20 citizens were treated for breathing problems on Sunday and many others suffered from the teargas inhalation today.
Meanwhile, local sources said that IOF soldiers rounded up three citizens in the city of Al-Khalil on Monday after breaking into homes in various suburbs.
Israeli soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped ten Palestinians. Army also kidnapped two from their work places in historic Palestine, the Maan News Agency has reported.
Local sources in Bethlehem have reported that dozens of soldiers invaded the Aida refugee camp, broke into and searched several homes, and kidnapped Riyadh Safwan Abu Srour, 17 years of age.
Soldiers also invaded the Rashayda village, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped resident Hashem Ali Rashayda, 48, after stopping his car and inspecting his ID.
Resident Mahmoud Mohammad Sheebany, from the Arraba town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, was also kidnapped from his work in historic Palestine.
In Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, soldiers kidnapped Sufian Marwan Hdeib, 16, Yahia Wael Qneiby, 18, and Ahmad Waddah Shihada, 22.
Soldiers also kidnapped four Palestinians in the northern West Bank district of Nablus.
Local sources said the army invaded the Askar refugee camp, and a neighborhood in Nablus, and kidnapped Ismael Abu Fayed, 28, Mohammad Abdul-Mahdy Abu Hayya, 25, Hasan Abdul-Latif Sweilem, 20, and a university student identified as Issa Yousef Ahmad, 20.
Several Israeli military jeeps also invaded Madama village, south of Nablus, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Yasar Nassar, 23.
The invasions and arrests are part on an ongoing Israeli campaign, and ongoing violations, against the Palestinian people and their property in different parts of occupied Palestine.
IOF Forces Arrest Nine Palestinians from West Bank
Israeli forces arrested Monday nine Palestinians from West Bank cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin and Nablus.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested at dawn, 17-year-old Safwan Riyad Abu Srour from Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, after raiding and searching his parents' house.
Head of the Rashaida village Council west of Bethlehem, Fawaz Rashayda, said that IOF troops arrested Hisham Ali Odeh Rashayda, 48, and took him to an unknown location.
Israeli forces arrested Sunday evening Mahmoud Mohammed Shebani, 27, from Araba village south of Jenin, while he was inside the 1948 territories.
In Hebron, Israeli forces arrested Sufian Marwan Hadeb, 16, Yahya Mohammed Wael Qanibi, 18, and Ahmed Wadah Shahadeh, 22, and transferred them to an unknown location.
Security sources said that the forces raided Numrah area, searched a house belonging to Methqal al-Ja'bari and a number of stores belonging to the same family.
In Nablus, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinains from Askar refugee camp and al-Masaken as-Sha'byeh area , east of the city.
Security sources said that Israeli soldiers raided Askar refugee camp, searched several houses and arrested 28-year-old Ismael Abu Fayed and 25-year-old Mohammed Abu Haya.
The sources added that Israeli forces also raided al-Masaken as-Sha'byeh area, and arrested Hassan Abdul Latif Abu Sweilem, 24
Local sources in Bethlehem have reported that dozens of soldiers invaded the Aida refugee camp, broke into and searched several homes, and kidnapped Riyadh Safwan Abu Srour, 17 years of age.
Soldiers also invaded the Rashayda village, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped resident Hashem Ali Rashayda, 48, after stopping his car and inspecting his ID.
Resident Mahmoud Mohammad Sheebany, from the Arraba town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, was also kidnapped from his work in historic Palestine.
In Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, soldiers kidnapped Sufian Marwan Hdeib, 16, Yahia Wael Qneiby, 18, and Ahmad Waddah Shihada, 22.
Soldiers also kidnapped four Palestinians in the northern West Bank district of Nablus.
Local sources said the army invaded the Askar refugee camp, and a neighborhood in Nablus, and kidnapped Ismael Abu Fayed, 28, Mohammad Abdul-Mahdy Abu Hayya, 25, Hasan Abdul-Latif Sweilem, 20, and a university student identified as Issa Yousef Ahmad, 20.
Several Israeli military jeeps also invaded Madama village, south of Nablus, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Yasar Nassar, 23.
The invasions and arrests are part on an ongoing Israeli campaign, and ongoing violations, against the Palestinian people and their property in different parts of occupied Palestine.
IOF Forces Arrest Nine Palestinians from West Bank
Israeli forces arrested Monday nine Palestinians from West Bank cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin and Nablus.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested at dawn, 17-year-old Safwan Riyad Abu Srour from Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, after raiding and searching his parents' house.
Head of the Rashaida village Council west of Bethlehem, Fawaz Rashayda, said that IOF troops arrested Hisham Ali Odeh Rashayda, 48, and took him to an unknown location.
Israeli forces arrested Sunday evening Mahmoud Mohammed Shebani, 27, from Araba village south of Jenin, while he was inside the 1948 territories.
In Hebron, Israeli forces arrested Sufian Marwan Hadeb, 16, Yahya Mohammed Wael Qanibi, 18, and Ahmed Wadah Shahadeh, 22, and transferred them to an unknown location.
Security sources said that the forces raided Numrah area, searched a house belonging to Methqal al-Ja'bari and a number of stores belonging to the same family.
In Nablus, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinains from Askar refugee camp and al-Masaken as-Sha'byeh area , east of the city.
Security sources said that Israeli soldiers raided Askar refugee camp, searched several houses and arrested 28-year-old Ismael Abu Fayed and 25-year-old Mohammed Abu Haya.
The sources added that Israeli forces also raided al-Masaken as-Sha'byeh area, and arrested Hassan Abdul Latif Abu Sweilem, 24
Israel Prison Service (IPS) on Sunday moved Ashkelon prison's doctor to Ramla Hospital after prisoners protested his bad conduct. Lawyer of Ministry of prisoners' affairs in Ramallah, Karim Ajwah, quoted a prisoners' representative in Majeddo Naser abu-Hmaid as saying that the doctor in question is notorious for his mistreating many prisoners and caused their health to aggravate.
Abu Hmaid pointed to the continued medical negligence in the prison's clinic, even in the presence of the previous doctor.
He added that the moved doctor was posted to Ramla Hospital before being removed to Ashkelon prison's clinic as a punishment for his poor performance.
"He has long dealth with the prisoners in a provocative manner, prescribing Acamol for any cases inspected,” Abu Hmaid explained.
He cited the case of Hamas leader Abdul Khaleq al-Natsheh, who a year ago fainted and was served Acamol medicine. After a while, he got his health deteriorated and suffered internal bleeding and was admitted to hospital, according the statement.
Israel is holding nearly 5000 Palestinians in its prisons, including some 490 from the Gaza Strip. 206 prisoners have died as a result of medical negligence so far, according to the official statics of Ministry of Health.
Abu Hmaid pointed to the continued medical negligence in the prison's clinic, even in the presence of the previous doctor.
He added that the moved doctor was posted to Ramla Hospital before being removed to Ashkelon prison's clinic as a punishment for his poor performance.
"He has long dealth with the prisoners in a provocative manner, prescribing Acamol for any cases inspected,” Abu Hmaid explained.
He cited the case of Hamas leader Abdul Khaleq al-Natsheh, who a year ago fainted and was served Acamol medicine. After a while, he got his health deteriorated and suffered internal bleeding and was admitted to hospital, according the statement.
Israel is holding nearly 5000 Palestinians in its prisons, including some 490 from the Gaza Strip. 206 prisoners have died as a result of medical negligence so far, according to the official statics of Ministry of Health.
There are currently 17 women political prisoners in Hasharon Prison, of whom 10 are detainees pending trial, while seven others have already been sentenced. In addition, three detainees are under house arrest.
Health care
In the prison there are no specialized physicians for women political prisoners (apart from dentists, who administer only basic treatments) and the process of getting a medical specialist is long and complicated, if not impossible. In cooperation with the NGO Yussef Al-Sadek, permission has been granted for a dermatologist to visit three of the prisoners. The permit was first given to only one woman, but following correspondence with the prison authorities, permission to receive this specialized medical care was granted to two additional prisoners. Currently efforts are being made to enable a dentist to visit the prison to perform more complicated treatments that the prison medical service does not provide.
Sports Equipment
The prisoners are interested in introducing sports equipment, such as an exercise walker (treadmill) and bicycle etc.
The International Red Cross (IRC) is entitled to being this equipment into the prison under the Israel Prison Service (IPS) regulations, but the IRC has declared it has no funding for this, and is unwilling to bring in equipment donated by other organizations. WOFPP's legal adviser, attorney Taghrid Jahshan, approached the prison authorities in order to find an alternative way of acquiring this equipment, and the question is being discussed by the IPS central command. WOFPP is also exploring the possibility of asking the prison authorities to provide this equipment, as is the case at the Neve Tirzah facility for criminal women prisoners.
Heating equipment for the winter
This winter prisoners were forbidden to buy space heaters for their cells from the prison canteen shop, despite this being permitted last year.
Due to the extreme cold this winter, additional aid was given and the prisoners were provided with blankets. Once again, this was the result of cooperation between WOFPP and the Yussuf Al-Sadek organization which donated a sum enabling each woman to purchase a blanket from the canteen shop, since the provision of blankets by the prisoners' families was also forbidden this year.
Because some prisoners cannot afford these basic items (the price of blankets in the prison canteen shop is more than double the market price) WOFPP will work towards enabling the families to bring in blankets once more.
Receiving and Sending Letters
The prisoners have recently complained that for several months they have received almost no letters from their families or others.
With the encouragement and support of WOFPP many prisoners correspond with people abroad. But one French citizen complained that for several months his letters had not reached the prisoner Lina Jarbuni and that his letters were not returned to him. WOFPP's legal adviser approached the prison authorities who, together with the advisor and the prisoners, investigated the receipt of mail.
WOFPP is still following up on letters sent by the prisoners and their receipt by the addressees. The matter is ongoing, but this month Lina Jarbuni received a letter from France, and two other prisoners also reported receiving mail this month.
Shoes for the Prisoners
For several years the IPS has prevented families from bringing shoes to prisoners (men as well as women - although the situation for women prisoners is harder than for the men, since the shoes in the canteen shop are men's shoes).
The expense of the shoes prevents the prisoners from buying them, and since they have no suitable shoes that they can wear in the cold, the severity of the situation increases every year over winter. The prisoners walk around in rubber slip-ons, which is the only shoe they can afford at the canteen shop.
Transport to the Courts
The detainees who have to attend a court session at the Ofer and Salem Military Courts complain of the harsh attitude of the wardens/guards, male and female, from the Nachshon Unit of the IPS. They also complain of the conditions in the 'paddy wagon' (the IPS transport vehicle) - especially the cold air-conditioning and the freezing cold of the court's holding cells in which they are kept during the day.
In order to investigate the possibility of a joint action to change these conditions WOFPP maintains contact with other organizations, including the Clinic for the Rights and Rehabilitation of Prisoners at the Faculty of Law at Haifa University.
Source: ALTERNATIVENEWS
Health care
In the prison there are no specialized physicians for women political prisoners (apart from dentists, who administer only basic treatments) and the process of getting a medical specialist is long and complicated, if not impossible. In cooperation with the NGO Yussef Al-Sadek, permission has been granted for a dermatologist to visit three of the prisoners. The permit was first given to only one woman, but following correspondence with the prison authorities, permission to receive this specialized medical care was granted to two additional prisoners. Currently efforts are being made to enable a dentist to visit the prison to perform more complicated treatments that the prison medical service does not provide.
Sports Equipment
The prisoners are interested in introducing sports equipment, such as an exercise walker (treadmill) and bicycle etc.
The International Red Cross (IRC) is entitled to being this equipment into the prison under the Israel Prison Service (IPS) regulations, but the IRC has declared it has no funding for this, and is unwilling to bring in equipment donated by other organizations. WOFPP's legal adviser, attorney Taghrid Jahshan, approached the prison authorities in order to find an alternative way of acquiring this equipment, and the question is being discussed by the IPS central command. WOFPP is also exploring the possibility of asking the prison authorities to provide this equipment, as is the case at the Neve Tirzah facility for criminal women prisoners.
Heating equipment for the winter
This winter prisoners were forbidden to buy space heaters for their cells from the prison canteen shop, despite this being permitted last year.
Due to the extreme cold this winter, additional aid was given and the prisoners were provided with blankets. Once again, this was the result of cooperation between WOFPP and the Yussuf Al-Sadek organization which donated a sum enabling each woman to purchase a blanket from the canteen shop, since the provision of blankets by the prisoners' families was also forbidden this year.
Because some prisoners cannot afford these basic items (the price of blankets in the prison canteen shop is more than double the market price) WOFPP will work towards enabling the families to bring in blankets once more.
Receiving and Sending Letters
The prisoners have recently complained that for several months they have received almost no letters from their families or others.
With the encouragement and support of WOFPP many prisoners correspond with people abroad. But one French citizen complained that for several months his letters had not reached the prisoner Lina Jarbuni and that his letters were not returned to him. WOFPP's legal adviser approached the prison authorities who, together with the advisor and the prisoners, investigated the receipt of mail.
WOFPP is still following up on letters sent by the prisoners and their receipt by the addressees. The matter is ongoing, but this month Lina Jarbuni received a letter from France, and two other prisoners also reported receiving mail this month.
Shoes for the Prisoners
For several years the IPS has prevented families from bringing shoes to prisoners (men as well as women - although the situation for women prisoners is harder than for the men, since the shoes in the canteen shop are men's shoes).
The expense of the shoes prevents the prisoners from buying them, and since they have no suitable shoes that they can wear in the cold, the severity of the situation increases every year over winter. The prisoners walk around in rubber slip-ons, which is the only shoe they can afford at the canteen shop.
Transport to the Courts
The detainees who have to attend a court session at the Ofer and Salem Military Courts complain of the harsh attitude of the wardens/guards, male and female, from the Nachshon Unit of the IPS. They also complain of the conditions in the 'paddy wagon' (the IPS transport vehicle) - especially the cold air-conditioning and the freezing cold of the court's holding cells in which they are kept during the day.
In order to investigate the possibility of a joint action to change these conditions WOFPP maintains contact with other organizations, including the Clinic for the Rights and Rehabilitation of Prisoners at the Faculty of Law at Haifa University.
Source: ALTERNATIVENEWS
