20 feb 2016
The occupation authorities suspended the medical insurance of the 31-year old Jerusalemite prisoner Isra’ Ja’abees who is accused of attempting to kill a policeman by blowing up a propane gas cylinder last October.
Ja’abees family explained that the occupation authorities suspended the medical insurance of Isra’ Ja’abees since the 7th of the current month. The family found out about the matter after following up with the medical center where she is registered.
The family pointed out that they headed to the medical center on Tuesday to bring some documents for Isra’ that her lawyer requested after submitting a request to conditionally release her due to her medical condition.
The medical center’s director informed them that the medical insurance of Isra’ has been suspended by the “social security” without giving any explanations to the center’s administration.
Prisoner Ja’abees
Ja’abees was arrested on 11/10/2015 after suffering critical burns of first and third degrees in the face, hands, back and chest after a propane gas cylinder exploded in her car. The occupation authorities claimed that she attempted to kill a policeman by blowing up the cylinder while her family denied the charges.
The family explained that Isra’ was preparing her house in Jerusalem to obtain a Jerusalemite ID for her son Mutasem and she was transferring her items in her personal vehicle. On the day of the incident, she was inside her car and had the gas cylinder and a television which the Israeli police did not say anything about.
The medical insurance of Ja’abees was suspended while she really needs it as she is currently using a wheelchair since she is unable to walk long distances on her feet. She also needs a surgery in her nose, eye and two fingers in addition to other surgeries and treatment for the burns she suffered.
She remained in the hospital for three months and was then transferred to Hasharon prison.
Ja’abees family explained that the occupation authorities suspended the medical insurance of Isra’ Ja’abees since the 7th of the current month. The family found out about the matter after following up with the medical center where she is registered.
The family pointed out that they headed to the medical center on Tuesday to bring some documents for Isra’ that her lawyer requested after submitting a request to conditionally release her due to her medical condition.
The medical center’s director informed them that the medical insurance of Isra’ has been suspended by the “social security” without giving any explanations to the center’s administration.
Prisoner Ja’abees
Ja’abees was arrested on 11/10/2015 after suffering critical burns of first and third degrees in the face, hands, back and chest after a propane gas cylinder exploded in her car. The occupation authorities claimed that she attempted to kill a policeman by blowing up the cylinder while her family denied the charges.
The family explained that Isra’ was preparing her house in Jerusalem to obtain a Jerusalemite ID for her son Mutasem and she was transferring her items in her personal vehicle. On the day of the incident, she was inside her car and had the gas cylinder and a television which the Israeli police did not say anything about.
The medical insurance of Ja’abees was suspended while she really needs it as she is currently using a wheelchair since she is unable to walk long distances on her feet. She also needs a surgery in her nose, eye and two fingers in addition to other surgeries and treatment for the burns she suffered.
She remained in the hospital for three months and was then transferred to Hasharon prison.
Israeli special forces accompanied by police dogs raided the Afula hospital where Palestinian hunger-striker Muhammad al-Qiq is currently being detained on Saturday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Hanan al-Khatib, a lawyer for the PA Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs said the sudden raid came after al-Qiq suffered from spasms and seizures several hours earlier, causing panic among doctors who rushed to al-Qiq's room and evacuated it.
The purpose of the raid remained unclear on Saturday evening, but al-Khatib said the raid sent out the message that Israeli authorities were aware that "Muhammad could die at any moment."
Earlier on Saturday, Palestinian Prisoners Society leader Qadura Fares told Ma’an that Palestinian officials were involved in talks to reach a compromise with Israeli authorities regarding al-Qiq that would be accepted by the Palestinian journalist and his family by Sunday.
The raid comes a day after the Committee of Prisoners' Affairs said Israeli intelligence services had refused to allow al-Qiq’s family to visit him during his hunger strike, in contradiction with an earlier ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Al-Qiq, a 33-year-old father of two, went on hunger strike in late November to protest his administrative detention -- internment without trial or charge. He has since gone without food for 88 days, and has been in critical condition for weeks.
Israel has negotiated in cases of hunger strikes launched by Palestinian prisoners in the past out of fear that prisoners’ death could spark unrest in the occupied Palestinian territory, but the territory has already seen months of unrest.
Palestinian Prisoners’ Society head Qadura Fares said earlier this month that the Israeli security establishment now believes it has "nothing to lose" by failing to release al-Qiq before his death.
Al-Qiq has vowed to maintain his strike until transferred a Palestinian hospital in Ramallah and released from Israeli custody, requests that were most recently denied by Israel's High Court of Justice earlier this week.
Hanan al-Khatib, a lawyer for the PA Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs said the sudden raid came after al-Qiq suffered from spasms and seizures several hours earlier, causing panic among doctors who rushed to al-Qiq's room and evacuated it.
The purpose of the raid remained unclear on Saturday evening, but al-Khatib said the raid sent out the message that Israeli authorities were aware that "Muhammad could die at any moment."
Earlier on Saturday, Palestinian Prisoners Society leader Qadura Fares told Ma’an that Palestinian officials were involved in talks to reach a compromise with Israeli authorities regarding al-Qiq that would be accepted by the Palestinian journalist and his family by Sunday.
The raid comes a day after the Committee of Prisoners' Affairs said Israeli intelligence services had refused to allow al-Qiq’s family to visit him during his hunger strike, in contradiction with an earlier ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Al-Qiq, a 33-year-old father of two, went on hunger strike in late November to protest his administrative detention -- internment without trial or charge. He has since gone without food for 88 days, and has been in critical condition for weeks.
Israel has negotiated in cases of hunger strikes launched by Palestinian prisoners in the past out of fear that prisoners’ death could spark unrest in the occupied Palestinian territory, but the territory has already seen months of unrest.
Palestinian Prisoners’ Society head Qadura Fares said earlier this month that the Israeli security establishment now believes it has "nothing to lose" by failing to release al-Qiq before his death.
Al-Qiq has vowed to maintain his strike until transferred a Palestinian hospital in Ramallah and released from Israeli custody, requests that were most recently denied by Israel's High Court of Justice earlier this week.
The family of hunger-striking journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq have refuted Israeli news reports talking about a deal pledging his release next May.
The brother of the prisoner, Hammam al-Qeiq, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that all Israeli news reports about a deal in this regard are false and unfounded, and an attempt to undermine the massive popular rallying around the issue of Mohamed.
He affirmed that his brother, Mohamed, insists on leaving the hospital as a free man or a martyr, and his family completely supports his decision in this regard.
"There is no agreement yet unless there will be a deal preserving the dignity of Mohamed and ensuring his immediate and urgent release," Hammam stated.
Israel's channel 10 had claimed that journalist Qeiq would be transferred to al-Makassed hospital and then released on May 21 without extending his administrative detention according to a deal clinched with his lawyer.
Hebrew news websites, in turn, said there would be a deal resolving the issue of Qeiq within the next 24 hours. Mohamed al-Qeiq entered on Saturday the 89th day of his hunger strike in protest at his administrative detention with no indictment.
The brother of the prisoner, Hammam al-Qeiq, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that all Israeli news reports about a deal in this regard are false and unfounded, and an attempt to undermine the massive popular rallying around the issue of Mohamed.
He affirmed that his brother, Mohamed, insists on leaving the hospital as a free man or a martyr, and his family completely supports his decision in this regard.
"There is no agreement yet unless there will be a deal preserving the dignity of Mohamed and ensuring his immediate and urgent release," Hammam stated.
Israel's channel 10 had claimed that journalist Qeiq would be transferred to al-Makassed hospital and then released on May 21 without extending his administrative detention according to a deal clinched with his lawyer.
Hebrew news websites, in turn, said there would be a deal resolving the issue of Qeiq within the next 24 hours. Mohamed al-Qeiq entered on Saturday the 89th day of his hunger strike in protest at his administrative detention with no indictment.
Israeli forces assaulted a Palestinian man in his fifties after detaining his son in the Old City of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank, locals said.
Locals told Ma’an that 20-year-old Izzat Ishaq Jabir was walking through the Jabir area of the Old City before Israeli soldiers stopped him and took him into custody.
Jabir’s father, Ishaq, was notified of the detention and assaulted by soldiers who forced him to leave the area when he approached them to inquire about his son, locals said.
An Israeli army spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
The flash point site of Hebron’s Old City has been designated a closed military zone by Israeli officials since November.
Palestinian residents of the area -- already under severe restrictions by the Israeli military -- were forced at the time to register under a number system that would allow them to pass through the Old City’s many checkpoints.
Only Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers are allowed to enter the area, and locals face frequent harassment by both Israeli settlers and military forces.
Locals told Ma’an that 20-year-old Izzat Ishaq Jabir was walking through the Jabir area of the Old City before Israeli soldiers stopped him and took him into custody.
Jabir’s father, Ishaq, was notified of the detention and assaulted by soldiers who forced him to leave the area when he approached them to inquire about his son, locals said.
An Israeli army spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
The flash point site of Hebron’s Old City has been designated a closed military zone by Israeli officials since November.
Palestinian residents of the area -- already under severe restrictions by the Israeli military -- were forced at the time to register under a number system that would allow them to pass through the Old City’s many checkpoints.
Only Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers are allowed to enter the area, and locals face frequent harassment by both Israeli settlers and military forces.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday morning arrested a Palestinian child near the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil city on allegations of his intention to carry out a stabbing attack against soldiers.
The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reporter in the city said Israeli soldiers arrested 13-year-old Karam Qassas, from Dura town, near the Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil after finding a knife in his possession.
Local sources noted that the boy was taken to a police center in the city.
Palestinian citizens are subjected to thorough searches by the IOF before they are allowed to enter the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Old City of al-Khalil.
The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reporter in the city said Israeli soldiers arrested 13-year-old Karam Qassas, from Dura town, near the Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil after finding a knife in his possession.
Local sources noted that the boy was taken to a police center in the city.
Palestinian citizens are subjected to thorough searches by the IOF before they are allowed to enter the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Old City of al-Khalil.
The Israeli occupation authorities have taken the decision to kill Mohamed al-Qeiq who has been on hunger striker for 88 consecutive days, head of the PA committee for prisoners’ affairs Issa Qaraqe said on Friday.
Qaraqe accused the Israeli high court of being a tool in the hands of Israeli Intelligence Apparatus which earlier refused to allow al-Qeiq’s family to visit him in Afula hospital.
“The Israeli high court gave two days for military prosecutor to justify its ban on al-Qeiq’s family visits although it knows very well that he is in very critical condition and can’t resist till that time.”
The Israeli Intelligence Apparatus is the first party responsible for Mohamed al-Qeiq’s serious health deterioration in collaboration with the Israeli right-wing extremist government, Qaraqe added.
The family visit ban contradicts an earlier ruling by the Israeli high court allowing family visits to the 33-year-old journalist, he pointed out. Muhammad al-Qeiq, a 33-year-old father of two, has refused food since Nov. 25, 2015 to protest his detention without charge or trial by Israel.
Israeli high court earlier ruled to temporarily "suspend" al-Qeiq's administrative detention, but said it would be reinstated if his health improved. Amnesty International criticized the ruling, saying it appeared to be "a mere gesture, designed to offer the illusion of freedom to prompt al-Qeiq to end his hunger strike." Al-Qeiq refused the Israeli ruling and vowed to continue his hunger strike till his unconditional release to a Palestinian-run hospital in West Bank for treatment.
Qaraqe accused the Israeli high court of being a tool in the hands of Israeli Intelligence Apparatus which earlier refused to allow al-Qeiq’s family to visit him in Afula hospital.
“The Israeli high court gave two days for military prosecutor to justify its ban on al-Qeiq’s family visits although it knows very well that he is in very critical condition and can’t resist till that time.”
The Israeli Intelligence Apparatus is the first party responsible for Mohamed al-Qeiq’s serious health deterioration in collaboration with the Israeli right-wing extremist government, Qaraqe added.
The family visit ban contradicts an earlier ruling by the Israeli high court allowing family visits to the 33-year-old journalist, he pointed out. Muhammad al-Qeiq, a 33-year-old father of two, has refused food since Nov. 25, 2015 to protest his detention without charge or trial by Israel.
Israeli high court earlier ruled to temporarily "suspend" al-Qeiq's administrative detention, but said it would be reinstated if his health improved. Amnesty International criticized the ruling, saying it appeared to be "a mere gesture, designed to offer the illusion of freedom to prompt al-Qeiq to end his hunger strike." Al-Qeiq refused the Israeli ruling and vowed to continue his hunger strike till his unconditional release to a Palestinian-run hospital in West Bank for treatment.
19 feb 2016
Two 14-year-old Palestinians shot while carrying out a deadly stab attack in an illegal Israeli settlement northeast of Jerusalem are in serious but stable condition, a lawyer said Friday.
Karim Ajwa, a lawyer for the Palestinian Authority's Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, told Ma'an the boys were being held in separate hospitals in Jerusalem.
Omar Rimawi, 14, is currently being treated at Hadassah Hospital's Ein Kerem branch, and Ayham Subih, also 14, in Shaare Zedek Hospital.
The PA committee said that Ajwa was expected to attend a Friday court hearing at Ofer detention center's military court regarding both of their detention.
Rimawi and Subih were shot by an armed Israeli civilian after stabbing two Israelis in the Rami Levi supermarket in the Shaare Benyamin industrial zone in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.
The attack killed a 21-year-old off-duty Israeli soldier and left a 17-year-old in moderate condition.
According to documentation of attacks by Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, the 14-year-olds were the youngest Palestinians to kill an Israeli since a wave of unrest spread in October, Israeli media reported.
The unrest has been marked by small-scale attacks carried out by Palestinian individuals, the majority of whom have been shot dead on scene.
More than 30 of the over 170 Palestinians to be killed since October have been under the age of 18, a number of whom were killed during clashes with Israeli military forces.
Karim Ajwa, a lawyer for the Palestinian Authority's Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, told Ma'an the boys were being held in separate hospitals in Jerusalem.
Omar Rimawi, 14, is currently being treated at Hadassah Hospital's Ein Kerem branch, and Ayham Subih, also 14, in Shaare Zedek Hospital.
The PA committee said that Ajwa was expected to attend a Friday court hearing at Ofer detention center's military court regarding both of their detention.
Rimawi and Subih were shot by an armed Israeli civilian after stabbing two Israelis in the Rami Levi supermarket in the Shaare Benyamin industrial zone in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.
The attack killed a 21-year-old off-duty Israeli soldier and left a 17-year-old in moderate condition.
According to documentation of attacks by Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, the 14-year-olds were the youngest Palestinians to kill an Israeli since a wave of unrest spread in October, Israeli media reported.
The unrest has been marked by small-scale attacks carried out by Palestinian individuals, the majority of whom have been shot dead on scene.
More than 30 of the over 170 Palestinians to be killed since October have been under the age of 18, a number of whom were killed during clashes with Israeli military forces.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, Friday, Kafr Qaddoum town, in the northern West Bank district of Qalqilia, and violently assaulted the weekly protest against the Wall and Colonies, wounding one journalist.
The Popular Committee in Kafr Qaddoum said one journalist, identified as Ala Badarna, was shot by army fire in his arm, and was provided with the needed treatment.
The Palestinians started their procession from the center of the village, carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for liberation and independence, and for the release of hunger striking detainee Mohammad al-Qeeq.
Morad Eshteiwy, media spokesperson of the Popular Committee in the town, said the soldiers invaded it while firing live rounds, and also fired gas bombs and concussion grenades, while local youngsters hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading vehicles.
Kafr Qaddoum residents have been protesting for the fifth consecutive year, demanding Israel to reopen the town’s main road, that connects it with the surrounding Palestinian communities.
The soldiers closed the village’s main road, thirteen years ago, to allow easy access to the settlers driving to and from the illegal Kedumim colony, built on Palestinian lands.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, searched homes, kidnapped Ma’moun Ahmad Sabaghna, 17, and took him to an unknown destination.
The Popular Committee in Kafr Qaddoum said one journalist, identified as Ala Badarna, was shot by army fire in his arm, and was provided with the needed treatment.
The Palestinians started their procession from the center of the village, carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for liberation and independence, and for the release of hunger striking detainee Mohammad al-Qeeq.
Morad Eshteiwy, media spokesperson of the Popular Committee in the town, said the soldiers invaded it while firing live rounds, and also fired gas bombs and concussion grenades, while local youngsters hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading vehicles.
Kafr Qaddoum residents have been protesting for the fifth consecutive year, demanding Israel to reopen the town’s main road, that connects it with the surrounding Palestinian communities.
The soldiers closed the village’s main road, thirteen years ago, to allow easy access to the settlers driving to and from the illegal Kedumim colony, built on Palestinian lands.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, searched homes, kidnapped Ma’moun Ahmad Sabaghna, 17, and took him to an unknown destination.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday afternoon, the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, and Kharbatha al-Misbah village, in the central West Bank district of Ramallah, clashed with local youths, and fired live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs. Two Palestinian children were injured, and one was kidnapped.
The clashes in al-Jalazoun initially started near Beit El colony, before extending into the main road of the refugee camp.
The soldiers fired several live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, causing dozens of residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation, especially after the army fired gas bombs at a few homes in the area of clashes.
Local youngsters hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading vehicles, while many jeeps were trapped in the refugee camp before a few youths threw Molotov cocktails on them.
Medical sources the soldiers shot two Palestinian children with live rounds, and kidnapped one resident, at the main entrance of the refugee camp.
The army also used a surveillance drone to document the clashes, and take pictures of the protesters.
The soldiers also invaded Kharbatha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah, and fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, during clashes that erupted following the invasion.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers continued their occupation, for the fifth consecutive day, of two homes in the village, in addition to ongoing invasions into various neighborhoods and homes, and repeated inspection of ID cards.
Locals complained that the soldiers frequently fire concussion grenades during late-night hours, as an act collective punishment meant to deprive them from sleeping peacefully.
The clashes in al-Jalazoun initially started near Beit El colony, before extending into the main road of the refugee camp.
The soldiers fired several live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, causing dozens of residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation, especially after the army fired gas bombs at a few homes in the area of clashes.
Local youngsters hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading vehicles, while many jeeps were trapped in the refugee camp before a few youths threw Molotov cocktails on them.
Medical sources the soldiers shot two Palestinian children with live rounds, and kidnapped one resident, at the main entrance of the refugee camp.
The army also used a surveillance drone to document the clashes, and take pictures of the protesters.
The soldiers also invaded Kharbatha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah, and fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, during clashes that erupted following the invasion.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers continued their occupation, for the fifth consecutive day, of two homes in the village, in addition to ongoing invasions into various neighborhoods and homes, and repeated inspection of ID cards.
Locals complained that the soldiers frequently fire concussion grenades during late-night hours, as an act collective punishment meant to deprive them from sleeping peacefully.
Mohammad Zawahreh -- brother of Moataz Zawahreh, the Palestinian activist from Dheisheh refugee camp killed by Israeli forces as he participated in a demonstration against the occupation in October and of Ghassan Zawahreh, former administrative detainee and hunger striker who was freed in November 2015 as part of the Battle of Breaking the Chains -- was ordered to six months administrative detention, by an Israeli occupation military order, on 16 February.
Like the other 690 Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge or trial, Zawahreh faces no accusations and has no opportunity to defend himself. The so-called “secret file” created by Israeli intelligence is used against him and both he and his lawyer are denied access. Zawahreh, who with his whole family is a Palestinian refugee and activist leader in the camp, was previously detained for five years by Israeli military occupation forces. Palestinian journalist Mohammad al-Qeeq, 33, is currently on his 87th day of hunger strike in protest of his imprisonment without charge or trial under administrative detention.
In addition, Daoud al-Ghoul, the organizer of youth programs in Jerusalem for the Palestinian Health Work Committees, was sentenced on 18 February to 18 months imprisonment for alleged “membership in a prohibited organization.” All major Palestinian political parties are labeled prohibited organizations under Israeli military orders. Following al-Ghoul’s visit to Europe in October 2014, where he spoke before the European Parliament about the conditions faced by Palestinians in Jerusalem, and ongoing Israeli occupation attempts to drive them out, he was first barred from his city of Jerusalem and then barred from the West Bank entirely.
On 30 June, 2015, al-Ghoul was taken by Israeli occupation forces, despite calls around the world for his freedom; his work as a youth organizer and Palestinian health leader is internationally renowned.
Like the other 690 Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge or trial, Zawahreh faces no accusations and has no opportunity to defend himself. The so-called “secret file” created by Israeli intelligence is used against him and both he and his lawyer are denied access. Zawahreh, who with his whole family is a Palestinian refugee and activist leader in the camp, was previously detained for five years by Israeli military occupation forces. Palestinian journalist Mohammad al-Qeeq, 33, is currently on his 87th day of hunger strike in protest of his imprisonment without charge or trial under administrative detention.
In addition, Daoud al-Ghoul, the organizer of youth programs in Jerusalem for the Palestinian Health Work Committees, was sentenced on 18 February to 18 months imprisonment for alleged “membership in a prohibited organization.” All major Palestinian political parties are labeled prohibited organizations under Israeli military orders. Following al-Ghoul’s visit to Europe in October 2014, where he spoke before the European Parliament about the conditions faced by Palestinians in Jerusalem, and ongoing Israeli occupation attempts to drive them out, he was first barred from his city of Jerusalem and then barred from the West Bank entirely.
On 30 June, 2015, al-Ghoul was taken by Israeli occupation forces, despite calls around the world for his freedom; his work as a youth organizer and Palestinian health leader is internationally renowned.
Students gather at a sit-in in Birzeit University, north of Ramallah, in solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian detainee Mohammad al-Qiq. February 18, 2016
Four Palestinians on hunger strike over administrative detention
The Detainees and ex-Detainees Committee announced, Friday, that Israeli security is still refusing to allow hunger striking journalist Mohammad al-Qeeq's family the right to visit with him.
The committee said that the decision violates the latest Israeli Supreme Court ruling which permitted his family to visit him in Affula Hospiutal.
The family has been trying to see him, as his health condition has been rapidly deteriorating over the past couple of days. Mohammad has been staging his strike for a total of 86 days, now.
After suffering severe convulsions on Wednesday night, al-Qeeq lost the ability to breath, hear, see or speak until the morning.
The committee contacted the Civil Affairs Department at the Civil Administration Office, but, so far, the answer is still "No."
According to WAFA Palestinian News and Info Agency, al-Qeeq's family said, Thursday, that they wouldn’t object to transferring him to a hospital in Jerusalem, as long it is a Palestinian hospital, because they do not trust Israeli hospitals.
This announcement came after the family insisted al-Qeeq will not agree to any offer that doesn’t guarantee transferring him to a hospital in Ramallah, in order to be close to his family.
Shalash said that her husband continues to suffer from spasms of acute chest pain twice or more a day, adding that doctors have warned that he could die of a heart attack as a result of his ongoing hunger strike.
She confirmed that al-Qeeq is currently undergoing medical examinations in Israeli hospitals.
Meanwhile, Hanan Khatib, an attorney representing the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission, who visited al-Qeeq in Afula hospital, said al-Qeeq developed serious and disturbing symptoms signaling a possible fatal heart attack.
She noted that al-Qeeq continued to suffer from crushing pain in the chest and left hand, spasms in his legs and speaking difficulty.
In related news, Birzeit University’s administration, the Workers Union and a number of students organized a sit-in at the university campus in Birzeit town, north of Ramallah, on Thursday, in solidarity with the hunger-striking journalist.
The protestors called for immediate and unconditional release for al-Qeeq, a former Birzeit University student and head of students’ council.
They demanded all academic institutions and international organizations to work together to implement campaigns of boycott and sanctions against Israel and its illegal measures against Palestinians.
President of the university, Abdul-Latif Abu Hijleh, said during the sit-in: “Palestinian journalists have always been on the frontline, and al-Qeeq is now experiencing forceful and abusive measures from the Israeli occupation, because he practiced his normal right of speech and freedom of expression.”
On behalf of the Workers Union, Salem Thawaba demanded that officials should urgently interfere to end al-Qeeq’s torture. He stressed on the importance of unity and reconciliation for al-Qeeq whose health has deteriorated to the point of facing imminent death.
According to Samer Samaro, Chairman of the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Committee in Nablus, a total of 650 Palestinians and 16 journalists are held in Israeli administrative detention.
Since June 1967, 55,000 Palestinians had been placed under administrative detention, including 25,000 Palestinians during the second intifada.
Four Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli jails are currently hunger striking in protest of being detained without a charge or trial, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), a prisoner support group.
PPS said that, beside the case of al-Qeeq, two other detainees, Mohammad al-Muhur from Jenin and Rabee Jibril from Bethlehem, have been on hunger strike for 64 days and eight days respectively, also in protest of being detained based on secret information, without a charge or trial.
A fourth detainee, Samer al-Issawi from Jerusalem, himself a former hunger striking icon, has also been on hunger strike for five days in solidarity with al-Qeeq, PPS added.
Administrative detention is a controversial and archaic Israeli practice, dating back to the days of British Mandate, that allows the detention of Palestinians without charge or trial, and for up to six-month intervals that can be renewed indefinitely.
Multiple human rights groups have accused Israel of using administrative detention as a form of collective punishment against Palestinians, and that Israeli authorities use this kind of detention when they fail to obtain confessions in interrogations of Palestinian detainees.
Last month, the European Union’s mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed their longstanding concern about Israel's extensive use of administrative detention.
“Beyond the well-known cases of Etraf Rimawi of the Palestinian Bisan Center for Research and Development, and Mohammad Abu Sakha, a trainer at the Palestinian Circus School, there are over 500 Palestinians, amongst them at least 4 minors, who are currently being held in administrative detention”, the mission said.
The mission added it was especially concerned about the deteriorating health condition of Mohammad Al-Qeeq, held in administrative detention in Israel for more than three months now, and on hunger strike since November 25, 2015.
“The EU calls for the full respect of international human rights obligations towards all prisoners. Detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention, must be granted access to legal assistance, and be subject to a fair trial.”
Four Palestinians on hunger strike over administrative detention
The Detainees and ex-Detainees Committee announced, Friday, that Israeli security is still refusing to allow hunger striking journalist Mohammad al-Qeeq's family the right to visit with him.
The committee said that the decision violates the latest Israeli Supreme Court ruling which permitted his family to visit him in Affula Hospiutal.
The family has been trying to see him, as his health condition has been rapidly deteriorating over the past couple of days. Mohammad has been staging his strike for a total of 86 days, now.
After suffering severe convulsions on Wednesday night, al-Qeeq lost the ability to breath, hear, see or speak until the morning.
The committee contacted the Civil Affairs Department at the Civil Administration Office, but, so far, the answer is still "No."
According to WAFA Palestinian News and Info Agency, al-Qeeq's family said, Thursday, that they wouldn’t object to transferring him to a hospital in Jerusalem, as long it is a Palestinian hospital, because they do not trust Israeli hospitals.
This announcement came after the family insisted al-Qeeq will not agree to any offer that doesn’t guarantee transferring him to a hospital in Ramallah, in order to be close to his family.
Shalash said that her husband continues to suffer from spasms of acute chest pain twice or more a day, adding that doctors have warned that he could die of a heart attack as a result of his ongoing hunger strike.
She confirmed that al-Qeeq is currently undergoing medical examinations in Israeli hospitals.
Meanwhile, Hanan Khatib, an attorney representing the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission, who visited al-Qeeq in Afula hospital, said al-Qeeq developed serious and disturbing symptoms signaling a possible fatal heart attack.
She noted that al-Qeeq continued to suffer from crushing pain in the chest and left hand, spasms in his legs and speaking difficulty.
In related news, Birzeit University’s administration, the Workers Union and a number of students organized a sit-in at the university campus in Birzeit town, north of Ramallah, on Thursday, in solidarity with the hunger-striking journalist.
The protestors called for immediate and unconditional release for al-Qeeq, a former Birzeit University student and head of students’ council.
They demanded all academic institutions and international organizations to work together to implement campaigns of boycott and sanctions against Israel and its illegal measures against Palestinians.
President of the university, Abdul-Latif Abu Hijleh, said during the sit-in: “Palestinian journalists have always been on the frontline, and al-Qeeq is now experiencing forceful and abusive measures from the Israeli occupation, because he practiced his normal right of speech and freedom of expression.”
On behalf of the Workers Union, Salem Thawaba demanded that officials should urgently interfere to end al-Qeeq’s torture. He stressed on the importance of unity and reconciliation for al-Qeeq whose health has deteriorated to the point of facing imminent death.
According to Samer Samaro, Chairman of the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Committee in Nablus, a total of 650 Palestinians and 16 journalists are held in Israeli administrative detention.
Since June 1967, 55,000 Palestinians had been placed under administrative detention, including 25,000 Palestinians during the second intifada.
Four Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli jails are currently hunger striking in protest of being detained without a charge or trial, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), a prisoner support group.
PPS said that, beside the case of al-Qeeq, two other detainees, Mohammad al-Muhur from Jenin and Rabee Jibril from Bethlehem, have been on hunger strike for 64 days and eight days respectively, also in protest of being detained based on secret information, without a charge or trial.
A fourth detainee, Samer al-Issawi from Jerusalem, himself a former hunger striking icon, has also been on hunger strike for five days in solidarity with al-Qeeq, PPS added.
Administrative detention is a controversial and archaic Israeli practice, dating back to the days of British Mandate, that allows the detention of Palestinians without charge or trial, and for up to six-month intervals that can be renewed indefinitely.
Multiple human rights groups have accused Israel of using administrative detention as a form of collective punishment against Palestinians, and that Israeli authorities use this kind of detention when they fail to obtain confessions in interrogations of Palestinian detainees.
Last month, the European Union’s mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed their longstanding concern about Israel's extensive use of administrative detention.
“Beyond the well-known cases of Etraf Rimawi of the Palestinian Bisan Center for Research and Development, and Mohammad Abu Sakha, a trainer at the Palestinian Circus School, there are over 500 Palestinians, amongst them at least 4 minors, who are currently being held in administrative detention”, the mission said.
The mission added it was especially concerned about the deteriorating health condition of Mohammad Al-Qeeq, held in administrative detention in Israel for more than three months now, and on hunger strike since November 25, 2015.
“The EU calls for the full respect of international human rights obligations towards all prisoners. Detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention, must be granted access to legal assistance, and be subject to a fair trial.”
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out at dawn Friday fresh raids and arrests throughout occupied West Bank. In Jenin, two Palestinians were arrested after Israeli forces brutally broke into Qabatia town amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly ten Israeli military vehicles stormed the town and broke into a number of homes in the eastern and western parts of the town.
Similar raids were also carried out in the neighboring town of Markeh where a military checkpoint was erected at Nablus-Jenin road.
Along the same line, IOF stormed two houses in Beitunia town in Ramallah and carried out a violent search campaign. The stormed houses belong to families of the two Palestinian youths who carried out the stabbing attack in the Rami Levi supermarket near Ramallah.
In Bethlehem, IOF violently stormed a local mosque after blowing up its main gate. On the other hand, two youths were injured with live shots as clashes erupted in Jalazoun refugee camp north of Ramallah.
A 16-year-old boy was also arrested during the confrontations, Palestinian security sources affirmed. In al-Khalil, a number of ex-detainees’ houses were stormed and violently searched at dawn today.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly ten Israeli military vehicles stormed the town and broke into a number of homes in the eastern and western parts of the town.
Similar raids were also carried out in the neighboring town of Markeh where a military checkpoint was erected at Nablus-Jenin road.
Along the same line, IOF stormed two houses in Beitunia town in Ramallah and carried out a violent search campaign. The stormed houses belong to families of the two Palestinian youths who carried out the stabbing attack in the Rami Levi supermarket near Ramallah.
In Bethlehem, IOF violently stormed a local mosque after blowing up its main gate. On the other hand, two youths were injured with live shots as clashes erupted in Jalazoun refugee camp north of Ramallah.
A 16-year-old boy was also arrested during the confrontations, Palestinian security sources affirmed. In al-Khalil, a number of ex-detainees’ houses were stormed and violently searched at dawn today.
The Israeli Ofer court on Thursday sentenced the 12-year-old Palestinian girl Dima al-Wawi to four months and a half in jail and an eight-thousand-shekel fine.
The Israeli occupation authorities accused al-Wawi of carrying out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
A native of al-Khalil’s town of Halhul, al-Wawi is the youngest Palestinian girl in the Israeli occupation jails. A human rights activist dubbed the court rule “oppressive” and “shocking.”
“The Israeli occupation has not only dared to traumatize the lives of Palestinian children but it has also dared to trial people for resisting the colonization of their motherland,” she said.
The Israeli occupation authorities accused al-Wawi of carrying out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
A native of al-Khalil’s town of Halhul, al-Wawi is the youngest Palestinian girl in the Israeli occupation jails. A human rights activist dubbed the court rule “oppressive” and “shocking.”
“The Israeli occupation has not only dared to traumatize the lives of Palestinian children but it has also dared to trial people for resisting the colonization of their motherland,” she said.
The Israeli occupation police on Thursday evening arrested two Palestinian youngsters in eastern Occupied Jerusalem on allegations of having locally-made pipe bombs in their possession.
Israeli news outlets claimed the two youths were nabbed inside a public bus at the Za’im checkpoint, in eastern Occupied Jerusalem.
Both arrestees were transferred to an Israeli detention center pending further questioning.
An Israeli police statement claimed the youths were carrying hand-made pipe bombs. Israeli bomb experts reportedly showed up at the scene shortly afterwards.
Israeli news outlets claimed the two youths were nabbed inside a public bus at the Za’im checkpoint, in eastern Occupied Jerusalem.
Both arrestees were transferred to an Israeli detention center pending further questioning.
An Israeli police statement claimed the youths were carrying hand-made pipe bombs. Israeli bomb experts reportedly showed up at the scene shortly afterwards.
Hunger striking journalist Mohammad Al-Qeeq, after suffering severe convulsions on Wednesday night, lost the ability to breath, hear, see or speak until the morning .
Mohammad Kana'na, who accompanied Al-Qeeq in the hospital, said that the administrative detainee suffered from severe convulsions which could not be controlled. He explained that Al-Qeeq was hardly able to speak, is in a very serious condition, and that the only thing which could be done for him was to wash his hands and keep him hydrated.
Al-Qeeq is still refusing any medical tests except for the examination of the heart beat, according to Al Ray.
The Israeli high court refused, yesterday, to move Al-Qeeq from Afula hospital to a Palestinian hospital in Ramallah.
Meanwhile, the head of the Arab Committee, Mohammed Barakah, said that the solidarity wave of support for Al-Qeeq has tightened, describing him as a symbol.
Mohammad Kana'na, who accompanied Al-Qeeq in the hospital, said that the administrative detainee suffered from severe convulsions which could not be controlled. He explained that Al-Qeeq was hardly able to speak, is in a very serious condition, and that the only thing which could be done for him was to wash his hands and keep him hydrated.
Al-Qeeq is still refusing any medical tests except for the examination of the heart beat, according to Al Ray.
The Israeli high court refused, yesterday, to move Al-Qeeq from Afula hospital to a Palestinian hospital in Ramallah.
Meanwhile, the head of the Arab Committee, Mohammed Barakah, said that the solidarity wave of support for Al-Qeeq has tightened, describing him as a symbol.
