24 feb 2016
Israeli forces shot and wounded a Palestinian man and, accidentally, an Israeli, following an alleged stabbing attempt near the illegal Gush Etzion settlement bloc south of Bethlehem on Wednesday, the Israeli army said.
An Israeli army spokesperson said that Israeli forces opened fire on the Palestinian after he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. They shot both him and an Israeli accidentally.
The spokesperson said both the Israeli and the Palestinian were evacuated to hospital. A spokesperson for Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom said medics were treating one "victim of about 20 (years old) in severe condition."
Israeli news site Haaretz reported that the shots may have been fired by an armed Israeli settler, although this could not initially be verified.
No stabbing wounds were reported.
More than 170 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since October. Israel says the majority were shot dead while attempting to carry out attacks, although international rights groups have disputed Israel's version of events in several cases.
The attacks that have taken place -- mostly by Palestinian individuals armed only with knives -- have killed nearly 30 Israelis.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last month it was "human nature" for Palestinians to react violently to Israel's nearly 50-year military occupation, as he urged a change in Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territory.
An Israeli army spokesperson said that Israeli forces opened fire on the Palestinian after he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. They shot both him and an Israeli accidentally.
The spokesperson said both the Israeli and the Palestinian were evacuated to hospital. A spokesperson for Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom said medics were treating one "victim of about 20 (years old) in severe condition."
Israeli news site Haaretz reported that the shots may have been fired by an armed Israeli settler, although this could not initially be verified.
No stabbing wounds were reported.
More than 170 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since October. Israel says the majority were shot dead while attempting to carry out attacks, although international rights groups have disputed Israel's version of events in several cases.
The attacks that have taken place -- mostly by Palestinian individuals armed only with knives -- have killed nearly 30 Israelis.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last month it was "human nature" for Palestinians to react violently to Israel's nearly 50-year military occupation, as he urged a change in Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The family of 23-year-old Muhammad al-Muhr said on Tuesday their son has gone through critical psychological disorders after 52 days of ongoing hunger strike in an Israeli jail.
Al-Muhr’s sister, Kawthar, said in a press statement the family has been informed by lawyer Salah Ayoub, who visited her brother in the Murma hospital in Tiberias, that the detainee has gone through critical psychological breakdowns.
She said the prisoner, nonetheless, vowed to continue his hunger strike until he restores his freedom.
The sister expressed concern over the mistreatment that her brother has been subjected to in Israeli jails and the apathy maintained by the prison authorities as regards his hunger strike. Kawthar added that ever since he was arrested, al-Muhr could not take the medicines inscribed for his chronic psychological disorders.
The sister called on the human rights institutions to work on having the hunger-striker examined by psychiatrists. Prisoner al-Muhr, held in the Megiddo jail since November 3, started his hunger strike in early January.
Al-Muhr’s sister, Kawthar, said in a press statement the family has been informed by lawyer Salah Ayoub, who visited her brother in the Murma hospital in Tiberias, that the detainee has gone through critical psychological breakdowns.
She said the prisoner, nonetheless, vowed to continue his hunger strike until he restores his freedom.
The sister expressed concern over the mistreatment that her brother has been subjected to in Israeli jails and the apathy maintained by the prison authorities as regards his hunger strike. Kawthar added that ever since he was arrested, al-Muhr could not take the medicines inscribed for his chronic psychological disorders.
The sister called on the human rights institutions to work on having the hunger-striker examined by psychiatrists. Prisoner al-Muhr, held in the Megiddo jail since November 3, started his hunger strike in early January.
30 Palestinian female prisoners, including nine minors, suffer from overcrowding in HaSharon prison as their numbers have notably increased.
Representative of female prisoners Lina Jarbouni said that some of them are forced to sleep on the floor due to the lack of beds in the prison.
She pointed out that a number of the female prisoners are in acute need for medical care as they suffer gunshot injuries.
Yasmin Zaru, from al-Khalil, is the last female prisoner to be transferred to the prison, she said. Yasmin’s health situation is very difficult and needs an urgent medical treatment after being shot during her arrest.
As a whole, 61 Palestinian female prisoners are held in Israeli jails and detention centers.
Representative of female prisoners Lina Jarbouni said that some of them are forced to sleep on the floor due to the lack of beds in the prison.
She pointed out that a number of the female prisoners are in acute need for medical care as they suffer gunshot injuries.
Yasmin Zaru, from al-Khalil, is the last female prisoner to be transferred to the prison, she said. Yasmin’s health situation is very difficult and needs an urgent medical treatment after being shot during her arrest.
As a whole, 61 Palestinian female prisoners are held in Israeli jails and detention centers.
Fayha Shalash, the wife of captive Mohammad al-Qeiq who entered the fourth month of open hunger strike, said that the family is no longer talking about the health condition of Qieq as it has reached its final stages.
Shalash explained in an exclusive interview with the PIC reporter on Tuesday that the withdrawal of lawyers from Qeiq’s file was done by the agreement of the family because of the Israeli insistence on refusing to meet his demands.
Qadoura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, affirmed that the society will boycott Israeli courts on Wednesday and Thursday as a means of solidarity with al-Qeiq’s case.
Fares pointed out, in an exclusive statement to the PIC, that the legal procedures on Qeiq’s issue had come to an end after the case had reached the Supreme Court and had thus turned into a political, national case. Fares pointed out that the PPS is waiting for the Israeli response to its proposals including releasing and transferring detainee Qeiq to the Makased hospital.
Shalash explained in an exclusive interview with the PIC reporter on Tuesday that the withdrawal of lawyers from Qeiq’s file was done by the agreement of the family because of the Israeli insistence on refusing to meet his demands.
Qadoura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, affirmed that the society will boycott Israeli courts on Wednesday and Thursday as a means of solidarity with al-Qeiq’s case.
Fares pointed out, in an exclusive statement to the PIC, that the legal procedures on Qeiq’s issue had come to an end after the case had reached the Supreme Court and had thus turned into a political, national case. Fares pointed out that the PPS is waiting for the Israeli response to its proposals including releasing and transferring detainee Qeiq to the Makased hospital.
Palestinian Prisoners Society revealed on Tuesday that three of prisoners’ rooms in Etzion Israeli jail were flooded with rain water.
Lawyer Jacklyn Fararja, who visited detainees in Etzion prison, pointed out that Palestinian captives are going to declare strike in protest against harsh detention condition and against procrastination in moving them to other jails.
Lawyer Jacklyn Fararja, who visited detainees in Etzion prison, pointed out that Palestinian captives are going to declare strike in protest against harsh detention condition and against procrastination in moving them to other jails.
Israeli soldiers invaded, earlier on Wednesday at dawn, several Palestinian districts in the occupied West Bank, stormed and violently searched homes, and kidnapped seventeen Palestinians, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Hebron city, and several nearby communities, in the southern part of the West Bank, and kidnapped eight Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Tareq Anwar Ed’eis, 34, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil, 28, Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, 36, Anas Abdul-Ghani Es’eed, Anan Yousef Zama’ra, Jawhar Azzam Makhamra and Mansour Ishaq Jaradat.
The soldiers also kidnapped six Palestinians, during various invasions and searches of homes in the Ramallah and al-Biereh district.
The PPS said the soldiers kidnapped Mahmoud Jaber Abda, 25, Ward Mohammad Abda, 18, Abdullah Mohammad Abda, Majd Ali Zodroq, 19, Fadi Nayef ‘Oleyyan, 29, and Raed Riyad Saleh, 22.
Another Palestinian, identified as Mahmoud Mteir, was kidnapped in the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, while a teenager, identified as Adi Yousef Badr, was kidnapped from his home in Abu Dis town.
In Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnaped Lu'ay Fathi al-‘Amer, 23.
Israeli Soldiers Kidnap Ten Palestinians In The West Bank
Israeli soldiers have kidnapped, earlier on Wednesday, ten Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including two in occupied East Jerusalem.
The soldiers invaded various areas in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, violently searched many homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians from Hebron city, Halhoul and Yatta town.
Media sources in Hebron city said the soldiers kidnapped Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil and Tareq Ed’eis.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks in different neighborhoods in Hebron city and Halhoul town, and kidnapped Anan Zama’ra, from his home in Halhoul.
Another Palestinian, identified as Jawhar Azzam Shehada, was kidnapped after the soldiers invaded and searched his home in Yatta city; the army claimed it found a pistol in his home.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Kafr Qaleel village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched a few homes and kidnapped Lu'ay Yasser Hamad, 24.
In Jerusalem, the army kidnapped two Palestinians in Bab as-Sahera area, allegedly after locating homemade explosives in their street vendor stands.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers closed the entire area, and conducted thorough searches, before explosive experts were called to the scene.
In Qabatia, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Tawfiq Mahmoud Zakarna, 20.
The soldiers also handed demolition orders to the families of Ahmad Najeh Zakarna, Ahmad Najeh Abu ar-Rob and Mohammad Hilmi Kamil, informing them that their homes will be demolished on January 29.
The three Palestinians were shot dead, earlier this month, after they killed an Israeli police officer and wounded another during an armed attack near Damascus Gate, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Hebron city, and several nearby communities, in the southern part of the West Bank, and kidnapped eight Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Tareq Anwar Ed’eis, 34, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil, 28, Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, 36, Anas Abdul-Ghani Es’eed, Anan Yousef Zama’ra, Jawhar Azzam Makhamra and Mansour Ishaq Jaradat.
The soldiers also kidnapped six Palestinians, during various invasions and searches of homes in the Ramallah and al-Biereh district.
The PPS said the soldiers kidnapped Mahmoud Jaber Abda, 25, Ward Mohammad Abda, 18, Abdullah Mohammad Abda, Majd Ali Zodroq, 19, Fadi Nayef ‘Oleyyan, 29, and Raed Riyad Saleh, 22.
Another Palestinian, identified as Mahmoud Mteir, was kidnapped in the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, while a teenager, identified as Adi Yousef Badr, was kidnapped from his home in Abu Dis town.
In Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnaped Lu'ay Fathi al-‘Amer, 23.
Israeli Soldiers Kidnap Ten Palestinians In The West Bank
Israeli soldiers have kidnapped, earlier on Wednesday, ten Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including two in occupied East Jerusalem.
The soldiers invaded various areas in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, violently searched many homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians from Hebron city, Halhoul and Yatta town.
Media sources in Hebron city said the soldiers kidnapped Ammar Othman al-‘Oweiwy, Karim Shahin, Luay Tawil and Tareq Ed’eis.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks in different neighborhoods in Hebron city and Halhoul town, and kidnapped Anan Zama’ra, from his home in Halhoul.
Another Palestinian, identified as Jawhar Azzam Shehada, was kidnapped after the soldiers invaded and searched his home in Yatta city; the army claimed it found a pistol in his home.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Kafr Qaleel village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, searched a few homes and kidnapped Lu'ay Yasser Hamad, 24.
In Jerusalem, the army kidnapped two Palestinians in Bab as-Sahera area, allegedly after locating homemade explosives in their street vendor stands.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) said the soldiers closed the entire area, and conducted thorough searches, before explosive experts were called to the scene.
In Qabatia, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a young man, identified as Tawfiq Mahmoud Zakarna, 20.
The soldiers also handed demolition orders to the families of Ahmad Najeh Zakarna, Ahmad Najeh Abu ar-Rob and Mohammad Hilmi Kamil, informing them that their homes will be demolished on January 29.
The three Palestinians were shot dead, earlier this month, after they killed an Israeli police officer and wounded another during an armed attack near Damascus Gate, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Sleep deprivation, sometimes for days at a time; being bound hand and foot to a chair, with movement restricted for hours on end; being subjected to shouting, swearing, threats, spitting, and indignities; exposure to extreme cold and heat; little and substandard food; being denied the possibility to shower or change clothes for days and even weeks; incarceration in a small, foul-smelling cell, usually in solitary confinement, for many days.
I spent 20 days in total solitary confinement. Psychologically, being alone is like living in a toilet. If something happens to you, no one will notice. You could die and be discovered days later. You could die in a toilet and no one would notice. You’re dumped in a corner and forgotten, you can bang on the door for all the good it’ll do you – you won’t get any help. No one talks to you and no one sees you except when you’re brought food. And even then, they don’t talk. They put the food down and leave. Sometimes, a brawny guard shows up and bangs hard with a club, maybe to check if you’re still alive, without saying anything. […] You lose the will to even stand up. I’m used to moving around at work, I find it hard not to move. In there, you have no room to move and no desire to do a thing.
Excerpt from the testimony of Mazen Abu ‘Arish, a 22-year-old surveyor from Beit Ula.
The above are some of the standard features of interrogation at the interrogation facility run by the Israel Agency (ISA) at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, southern Israel.
This report details Security the conditions in which inmates are held and interrogated, based on affidavits and witness accounts provided by 116 Palestinians held for security reasons and interrogated at the Shikma facility from August 2013 to March 2014. Nearly every single detainee was exposed to some or all of these measures; about one-third had been beaten or abused by soldiers or police officers in the course of being arrested; at least 14 were interrogated under torture by the Palestinian Authority shortly before being arrested by Israeli security forces.
Conditions at the Shikma facility are an inherent part of interrogations there: they serve to weaken both mind and body, complementing the actual interrogation of detainees in the interrogation room. The combination of conditions both in and outside the interrogation room constitutes abuse and inhuman, degrading treatment, at times even amounting to torture. It has been used systematically against Palestinians interrogated at Shikma, a practice that violates international law, Israel High Court of Justice (HCJ) rulings, and basic moral standards.
The chair is small and low, with a low backrest. Three of the legs are the same length and the fourth is shorter. It’s tough, because if you nod off or grow tired and fall over to the short side, the handcuffs tying you to the chair behind your back pull at you and it hurts your bound arms and hands terribly. There was another chair, the same size and height but with two shorter back legs instead. When you sit on it, it makes you lean back but the interrogator yells at you to stay straight. To do that, you have to lean forward. It hurts your hands and back. The pain in my arms and hands, and especially in my left arm, became unbearable.
Excerpt from the testimony of L.H., a 20-year-old florist from Hebron, was interrogated most of the day and night for 22 days running.In 1999 Israel’s HCJ prohibited the use of torture, abuse, or degradation by the ISA. In the sixteen years since that ruling, thousands of Palestinians have been interrogated, many by those very methods prohibited. This report reviews the situation in one particular interrogation facility during a delimited time period. It shows that the ISA’s system of violent interrogation persists – backed by state authorities ranging from the HCJ to the State Attorney’s Office, the military, and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). The contents of one affidavit after another, of testimony after testimony, paint an extremely grim picture of what happens en route to and at the interrogation wing in the Shikma facility..
I felt completely and utterly humiliated. They shouted that I was a donkey, a beast. They said: “You’re trash, a cheap person, you have no value.” They used swear words about my little sister, who has cerebral palsy, and hurt her dignity. They knew my sister is paralyzed. They swore about her. They said she was crap. That lasted for the whole nine days of interrogation.
Excerpt from the testimony of ‘Imad Abu Khalaf, 21, a bakery employee from Hebron.Time and again, the detainees interviewed described unlawful conduct by the authorities. The descriptions bear a striking resemblance to accounts previously provided by detainees held at other interrogation facilities. Taken together, it would seem that this conduct constitutes official interrogation policy. Systematically implemented, the policy includes violence and degradation during arrest and interrogation; inhuman detention conditions that force detainees to endure crowding and filth; isolation of detainees, subjecting them to extreme sensory, motor, and social deprivation; provision of scant and substandard food; exposure to extremes of heat and cold; prolonged binding to a chair during interrogation, sometimes in exceedingly painful positions; extensive sleep deprivation; threats, swearing, shouting and mocking – and in some cases even direct violence by interrogators.
I was interrogated nonstop for three or four days with no break and without even being put into a cell. My hands were tied behind me the whole time, except for when I ate or went to the bathroom. The hard part was that I couldn’t sleep. Whenever I nodded off, the interrogator shouted loudly in my ear and woke me. The interrogators did shifts. It went on and on. After four days, they let me rest for two hours a day and interrogated me the rest of the time. That went on for ten days. I remember being almost unconscious during the long interrogations. It was terrible. I was practically out cold from lack of sleep and they kept interrogating me.
Excerpt from the testimony of Husni Najar, a 24-year-old from HebronEach and every one of these measures is cruel, inhuman and degrading, an effect that is compounded when used in combination or for lengthy stretches at a time. In some cases, the use of these measures amounts to torture – in contravention of international law and in violation of HCJ rulings and Israeli law.
In addition to directly employing cruel, inhuman and degrading means, Israeli interrogation authorities indirectly participate in torture by knowingly using information obtained through use of torture – usually severe – by Palestinian Authority interrogators against the self-same detainees.
The interrogation system that relies on these methods, both in overt interrogation and in the conditions in which detainees are held, was shaped by the state and is not the result of the initiative of any particular interrogator or prison guard. These actions are not carried out by so-called “rotten apples”, nor are they exceptions who must be brought to justice. Cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees is inherent to the ISA’s interrogation policy, which is dictated from above, not set by interrogators in the field.
While the system is run by the ISA, a broad network of partners collaborates to facilitate it.
The IPS creates prison conditions to match the interrogation plan designed to break a detainee’s spirit; IPS medical and mental health professionals greenlight the interrogation of Palestinians who arrive at the facility – including in cases of poor health – and even hand detainees back to the interrogators after caring for physical and mental injuries they sustained in interrogation; soldiers and police officers abuse detainees while transporting them to the ISA, with their commanders turning a blind eye and the MAG Corps and State Attorney’s Office not bringing them to justice or holding them fully accountable; military judges almost automatically sign off on motions for remand in custody and effectively sanction the continued abuse and inhuman conditions; the State Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General have thus far provided ISA interrogators with full immunity; and HCJ judges systematically reject petitions seeking to overturn the denial of detainee’s rights to meet with legal counsel.
They are all party, in one form or another, to various aspects of the cruel, inhuman, degrading and abusive treatment to which Palestinian detainees are subjected at the Shikma facility and elsewhere. The senior Israeli officials who enable the existence of this abusive interrogation regime bear responsibility for the severe violations of interrogatees’ human rights and for inflicting mental and physical harm on these individuals.
We must once more reiterate the demand for what ought to be a given: Israel must immediately cease the use of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as the abuse and torture of detainees, both in overt interrogation and through the conditions in which they are held. Moreover, Israel must abide by the prohibition on torture and abuse also in its cooperation on security matters with the Palestinian Authority.
I spent 20 days in total solitary confinement. Psychologically, being alone is like living in a toilet. If something happens to you, no one will notice. You could die and be discovered days later. You could die in a toilet and no one would notice. You’re dumped in a corner and forgotten, you can bang on the door for all the good it’ll do you – you won’t get any help. No one talks to you and no one sees you except when you’re brought food. And even then, they don’t talk. They put the food down and leave. Sometimes, a brawny guard shows up and bangs hard with a club, maybe to check if you’re still alive, without saying anything. […] You lose the will to even stand up. I’m used to moving around at work, I find it hard not to move. In there, you have no room to move and no desire to do a thing.
Excerpt from the testimony of Mazen Abu ‘Arish, a 22-year-old surveyor from Beit Ula.
The above are some of the standard features of interrogation at the interrogation facility run by the Israel Agency (ISA) at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, southern Israel.
This report details Security the conditions in which inmates are held and interrogated, based on affidavits and witness accounts provided by 116 Palestinians held for security reasons and interrogated at the Shikma facility from August 2013 to March 2014. Nearly every single detainee was exposed to some or all of these measures; about one-third had been beaten or abused by soldiers or police officers in the course of being arrested; at least 14 were interrogated under torture by the Palestinian Authority shortly before being arrested by Israeli security forces.
Conditions at the Shikma facility are an inherent part of interrogations there: they serve to weaken both mind and body, complementing the actual interrogation of detainees in the interrogation room. The combination of conditions both in and outside the interrogation room constitutes abuse and inhuman, degrading treatment, at times even amounting to torture. It has been used systematically against Palestinians interrogated at Shikma, a practice that violates international law, Israel High Court of Justice (HCJ) rulings, and basic moral standards.
The chair is small and low, with a low backrest. Three of the legs are the same length and the fourth is shorter. It’s tough, because if you nod off or grow tired and fall over to the short side, the handcuffs tying you to the chair behind your back pull at you and it hurts your bound arms and hands terribly. There was another chair, the same size and height but with two shorter back legs instead. When you sit on it, it makes you lean back but the interrogator yells at you to stay straight. To do that, you have to lean forward. It hurts your hands and back. The pain in my arms and hands, and especially in my left arm, became unbearable.
Excerpt from the testimony of L.H., a 20-year-old florist from Hebron, was interrogated most of the day and night for 22 days running.In 1999 Israel’s HCJ prohibited the use of torture, abuse, or degradation by the ISA. In the sixteen years since that ruling, thousands of Palestinians have been interrogated, many by those very methods prohibited. This report reviews the situation in one particular interrogation facility during a delimited time period. It shows that the ISA’s system of violent interrogation persists – backed by state authorities ranging from the HCJ to the State Attorney’s Office, the military, and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). The contents of one affidavit after another, of testimony after testimony, paint an extremely grim picture of what happens en route to and at the interrogation wing in the Shikma facility..
I felt completely and utterly humiliated. They shouted that I was a donkey, a beast. They said: “You’re trash, a cheap person, you have no value.” They used swear words about my little sister, who has cerebral palsy, and hurt her dignity. They knew my sister is paralyzed. They swore about her. They said she was crap. That lasted for the whole nine days of interrogation.
Excerpt from the testimony of ‘Imad Abu Khalaf, 21, a bakery employee from Hebron.Time and again, the detainees interviewed described unlawful conduct by the authorities. The descriptions bear a striking resemblance to accounts previously provided by detainees held at other interrogation facilities. Taken together, it would seem that this conduct constitutes official interrogation policy. Systematically implemented, the policy includes violence and degradation during arrest and interrogation; inhuman detention conditions that force detainees to endure crowding and filth; isolation of detainees, subjecting them to extreme sensory, motor, and social deprivation; provision of scant and substandard food; exposure to extremes of heat and cold; prolonged binding to a chair during interrogation, sometimes in exceedingly painful positions; extensive sleep deprivation; threats, swearing, shouting and mocking – and in some cases even direct violence by interrogators.
I was interrogated nonstop for three or four days with no break and without even being put into a cell. My hands were tied behind me the whole time, except for when I ate or went to the bathroom. The hard part was that I couldn’t sleep. Whenever I nodded off, the interrogator shouted loudly in my ear and woke me. The interrogators did shifts. It went on and on. After four days, they let me rest for two hours a day and interrogated me the rest of the time. That went on for ten days. I remember being almost unconscious during the long interrogations. It was terrible. I was practically out cold from lack of sleep and they kept interrogating me.
Excerpt from the testimony of Husni Najar, a 24-year-old from HebronEach and every one of these measures is cruel, inhuman and degrading, an effect that is compounded when used in combination or for lengthy stretches at a time. In some cases, the use of these measures amounts to torture – in contravention of international law and in violation of HCJ rulings and Israeli law.
In addition to directly employing cruel, inhuman and degrading means, Israeli interrogation authorities indirectly participate in torture by knowingly using information obtained through use of torture – usually severe – by Palestinian Authority interrogators against the self-same detainees.
The interrogation system that relies on these methods, both in overt interrogation and in the conditions in which detainees are held, was shaped by the state and is not the result of the initiative of any particular interrogator or prison guard. These actions are not carried out by so-called “rotten apples”, nor are they exceptions who must be brought to justice. Cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees is inherent to the ISA’s interrogation policy, which is dictated from above, not set by interrogators in the field.
While the system is run by the ISA, a broad network of partners collaborates to facilitate it.
The IPS creates prison conditions to match the interrogation plan designed to break a detainee’s spirit; IPS medical and mental health professionals greenlight the interrogation of Palestinians who arrive at the facility – including in cases of poor health – and even hand detainees back to the interrogators after caring for physical and mental injuries they sustained in interrogation; soldiers and police officers abuse detainees while transporting them to the ISA, with their commanders turning a blind eye and the MAG Corps and State Attorney’s Office not bringing them to justice or holding them fully accountable; military judges almost automatically sign off on motions for remand in custody and effectively sanction the continued abuse and inhuman conditions; the State Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General have thus far provided ISA interrogators with full immunity; and HCJ judges systematically reject petitions seeking to overturn the denial of detainee’s rights to meet with legal counsel.
They are all party, in one form or another, to various aspects of the cruel, inhuman, degrading and abusive treatment to which Palestinian detainees are subjected at the Shikma facility and elsewhere. The senior Israeli officials who enable the existence of this abusive interrogation regime bear responsibility for the severe violations of interrogatees’ human rights and for inflicting mental and physical harm on these individuals.
We must once more reiterate the demand for what ought to be a given: Israel must immediately cease the use of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as the abuse and torture of detainees, both in overt interrogation and through the conditions in which they are held. Moreover, Israel must abide by the prohibition on torture and abuse also in its cooperation on security matters with the Palestinian Authority.
23 feb 2016
The Israeli police forces arrested Tuesday evening four Palestinians from Issawiya town northeast of occupied Jerusalem.
Local sources identified the four detainees as: Aziz Ghassan Alyan, Karim Bassam Alian, Moussa Alklouni, and Omar Razam.
The arrests were carried out after Israeli forces stormed the town afternoon and violently broke into different buildings.
On the other hand, Israeli police forces stormd Silwan town and carried out large-scale search campaign. No arrests were reported during the campaign.
Local sources identified the four detainees as: Aziz Ghassan Alyan, Karim Bassam Alian, Moussa Alklouni, and Omar Razam.
The arrests were carried out after Israeli forces stormed the town afternoon and violently broke into different buildings.
On the other hand, Israeli police forces stormd Silwan town and carried out large-scale search campaign. No arrests were reported during the campaign.
At least five Palestinian youths were injured while two other were arrested Tuesday evening as clashes erupted in Qabatia town south of Jenin.
Local sources told PIC reporter that the clashes were mainly reported in Habssa and Kahlisheh areas in the town. Dozens of people suffered effects of teargas inhalation while five youths were hit with rubber bullet during the clashes.
Two young men were also arrested during the confrontations, while Israeli forces continued to close all entrances to the town. At least seven injuries of rubber bullets and one live shot injury were reported since Israeli forces imposed a tight siege on Qabatia town over the past 48 hours, medical sources affirmed.
Dozens of teargas inhalation cases were also reported during the clashes. Israeli forces have intensified since the early morning hours their military restrictions at the entrances to the town and deployed in large numbers throughout its neighborhoods. On February 1, Israeli forces have imposed a tight siege on Qabatia town, completely restricting people’s movement.
The siege lasted for five days as a collective punitive measure on the wake of the killing of three local youths by Israeli fire for allegedly carrying out an attack on Israeli settlers.
Israeli forces have then re-imposed its siege on the town after the killing of another local on Sunday for allegedly trying to stab an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint south of Nablus.
The Israeli cabinet has approved a series of measures against Palestinians who alegedly commit operations against it, including the demolition of their homes.
Amnesty International has earlier called on Israeli to halt its collective punishment policy against Palestinian in the occupied territories which it said constitutes a violation of international law and the principle of justice enshrined in Israeli law and all the economic, social and cultural rights conventions to which Israel is a party.
Local sources told PIC reporter that the clashes were mainly reported in Habssa and Kahlisheh areas in the town. Dozens of people suffered effects of teargas inhalation while five youths were hit with rubber bullet during the clashes.
Two young men were also arrested during the confrontations, while Israeli forces continued to close all entrances to the town. At least seven injuries of rubber bullets and one live shot injury were reported since Israeli forces imposed a tight siege on Qabatia town over the past 48 hours, medical sources affirmed.
Dozens of teargas inhalation cases were also reported during the clashes. Israeli forces have intensified since the early morning hours their military restrictions at the entrances to the town and deployed in large numbers throughout its neighborhoods. On February 1, Israeli forces have imposed a tight siege on Qabatia town, completely restricting people’s movement.
The siege lasted for five days as a collective punitive measure on the wake of the killing of three local youths by Israeli fire for allegedly carrying out an attack on Israeli settlers.
Israeli forces have then re-imposed its siege on the town after the killing of another local on Sunday for allegedly trying to stab an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint south of Nablus.
The Israeli cabinet has approved a series of measures against Palestinians who alegedly commit operations against it, including the demolition of their homes.
Amnesty International has earlier called on Israeli to halt its collective punishment policy against Palestinian in the occupied territories which it said constitutes a violation of international law and the principle of justice enshrined in Israeli law and all the economic, social and cultural rights conventions to which Israel is a party.
Three Palestinian prisoners in Eshel and Ramon jails suffer from worsening health problems as a result of the medical neglect policy pursued by the jailers, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS).
The PPS lawyer visited the jails recently and met with some prisoners, who complained about the absence of proper medical care inside the prisons.
According to him, prisoner Ibrahim Abu Mustafa, 36-year-old young man from Gaza, takes 38 pills every day as a result of several health problems he started to suffer from following his detention. Abu Mustafa, who has spent most of his 15-year prison term in Eshel jail, suffers from a heart condition, high cholesterol, a stomach ulcer, kidney stones and other health problems.
65-year-old prisoner Samir Abu Nea'mah also complained about his suffering from several health problems, especially in his back, and affirmed his need for surgery. Abu Nea'mah, who is now in Ramon jail, has been in detention since 1986.
As for prisoner Jawad Abu Qarea, the lawyer said he lost most of his teeth and became unable to eat properly. Abu Qarea has been in Israeli jails since 2002, serving a 25-year prison term. He is currently in Ramon prison.
The PPS lawyer visited the jails recently and met with some prisoners, who complained about the absence of proper medical care inside the prisons.
According to him, prisoner Ibrahim Abu Mustafa, 36-year-old young man from Gaza, takes 38 pills every day as a result of several health problems he started to suffer from following his detention. Abu Mustafa, who has spent most of his 15-year prison term in Eshel jail, suffers from a heart condition, high cholesterol, a stomach ulcer, kidney stones and other health problems.
65-year-old prisoner Samir Abu Nea'mah also complained about his suffering from several health problems, especially in his back, and affirmed his need for surgery. Abu Nea'mah, who is now in Ramon jail, has been in detention since 1986.
As for prisoner Jawad Abu Qarea, the lawyer said he lost most of his teeth and became unable to eat properly. Abu Qarea has been in Israeli jails since 2002, serving a 25-year prison term. He is currently in Ramon prison.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out overnight a large-scale raid and arrest campaign throughout the West Bank.
At least five Palestinians including an ex-detainee were arrested in Nablus, while five others were arrested in Ramallah and Birzeit.
Two similar arrests were carried out in Jenin, while one was reported in al-Khalil. In Ramallah, three detainees including two brothers were arrested after Israeli forces stormed Betin town south of the city.
Two other arrests were carried out in Beitunia town, while two similar arrests were reported in Birzeit including a leader in Hamas Movement. In Jenin, four Palestinians were arrested from their houses after nearly several Israeli military vehicles stormed different parts of the city.
Israeli forces deployed in large numbers in Yabad, Qabatia, and Sanour towns and broke into dozens of homes before investigating their owners. In Nablus, a large-scale military campaign was carried out at dawn Tuesday in three refugee camps.
Hundreds of Israeli forces stormed and deployed throughout different areas of the city, mainly, Askar, Balata, and al-Ein refugee camps. Dozens of homes and stores were violently stormed and searched during the raid, while a number of local youths were arrested.
At least one young man was injured during the violent raid, the PIC news reporter said. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces stationed at the watchtower at the entrance to the Aida refugee camp, opened fire at local youths for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at the military tower. No injuries were reported during the Israeli gunfire attack.
In al-Khalil, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn Tuesday two detainees’ homes in Deir Samit and Tarouseh towns east of the city. The demolished two homes belong to the two prisoners Mohamed Haroub and Raed Musalama who were earlier arrested for alleged stabbing and vehicular attacks.
The two prisoners’ families were not even allowed to remove their furniture and belongings before the demolition process. A third home was violently stormed and searched in Samu town before the arrest of its owner.
At least five Palestinians including an ex-detainee were arrested in Nablus, while five others were arrested in Ramallah and Birzeit.
Two similar arrests were carried out in Jenin, while one was reported in al-Khalil. In Ramallah, three detainees including two brothers were arrested after Israeli forces stormed Betin town south of the city.
Two other arrests were carried out in Beitunia town, while two similar arrests were reported in Birzeit including a leader in Hamas Movement. In Jenin, four Palestinians were arrested from their houses after nearly several Israeli military vehicles stormed different parts of the city.
Israeli forces deployed in large numbers in Yabad, Qabatia, and Sanour towns and broke into dozens of homes before investigating their owners. In Nablus, a large-scale military campaign was carried out at dawn Tuesday in three refugee camps.
Hundreds of Israeli forces stormed and deployed throughout different areas of the city, mainly, Askar, Balata, and al-Ein refugee camps. Dozens of homes and stores were violently stormed and searched during the raid, while a number of local youths were arrested.
At least one young man was injured during the violent raid, the PIC news reporter said. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces stationed at the watchtower at the entrance to the Aida refugee camp, opened fire at local youths for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at the military tower. No injuries were reported during the Israeli gunfire attack.
In al-Khalil, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn Tuesday two detainees’ homes in Deir Samit and Tarouseh towns east of the city. The demolished two homes belong to the two prisoners Mohamed Haroub and Raed Musalama who were earlier arrested for alleged stabbing and vehicular attacks.
The two prisoners’ families were not even allowed to remove their furniture and belongings before the demolition process. A third home was violently stormed and searched in Samu town before the arrest of its owner.
1,100 Palestinian detainees are crammed in the Israeli Ofer jail, a report by the prisoners’ and ex-prisoners’ committee said Monday.
The committee spoke out against over-crowding in the Israeli Ofer lock-up, where over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners are incarcerated.
The committee quoted the prisoners as launching distress signals over the lack of warm clothes and blankets and the preplanned medical neglect perpetrated by the prison authorities against sick inmates.
Dozens of detainees also said they have been subjected to harsh torture and mistreatment during the investigation and detention phases. Several other inmates have also been made to endure exhausting inter-prison transfers.
The committee spoke out against over-crowding in the Israeli Ofer lock-up, where over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners are incarcerated.
The committee quoted the prisoners as launching distress signals over the lack of warm clothes and blankets and the preplanned medical neglect perpetrated by the prison authorities against sick inmates.
Dozens of detainees also said they have been subjected to harsh torture and mistreatment during the investigation and detention phases. Several other inmates have also been made to endure exhausting inter-prison transfers.
A Palestinian child and a youngster were kidnapped on Monday evening by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from al-Khalil city at the same time as another young man was left wounded in Jenin.
Local sources said the IOF stopped 24-year-old Saber al-Sus at a military checkpoint pitched near the entrance to al-Khader town, before they arrested him.
The IOF claimed responsibility for the abduction of a 14-year old Palestinian child from al-Khalil's eastern town of Bani Na'im on allegations that he attempted to stab an occupation soldier.
Over the past few days, four Palestinian children were kidnapped by the IOF under the same pretext. Meanwhile, a Palestinian youngster was shot and injured by the IOF in Jenin's southern town of Qabatiya.
Head of the Red Crescent emergency crews in Qabatiya, Mustafa Kmeil, said a 17-year-old protester sustained bullet injuries in clashes with the IOF and was rushed to the Khalil Suleiman public hospital in Jenin.
A few hours earlier two protesters sustained rubber bullet wounds and dozens choked on teargas in an Israeli assault on Qabatiya town.
Local sources said the IOF stopped 24-year-old Saber al-Sus at a military checkpoint pitched near the entrance to al-Khader town, before they arrested him.
The IOF claimed responsibility for the abduction of a 14-year old Palestinian child from al-Khalil's eastern town of Bani Na'im on allegations that he attempted to stab an occupation soldier.
Over the past few days, four Palestinian children were kidnapped by the IOF under the same pretext. Meanwhile, a Palestinian youngster was shot and injured by the IOF in Jenin's southern town of Qabatiya.
Head of the Red Crescent emergency crews in Qabatiya, Mustafa Kmeil, said a 17-year-old protester sustained bullet injuries in clashes with the IOF and was rushed to the Khalil Suleiman public hospital in Jenin.
A few hours earlier two protesters sustained rubber bullet wounds and dozens choked on teargas in an Israeli assault on Qabatiya town.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers have kidnapped, Tuesday, 27 Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank.
The PPS said dozens of soldiers invaded various areas in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, searched homes, and kidnapped thirteen Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Ahmad Abdul-Salah, Shaher Ali Najmi, Maher Khattab, Mohammad Sobhi Abdul-Rahim, Ward Jihad Abu Rezeq, Akram al-Bai’a, Mohammad Mashal, Ala Eqab Mansour, Akram Mohammad Hussein, Mohammad al-Maraqa, Sami Yasser Saleh, Thaer Taiseer Saleh and Mohammad Ateyya Hannoun.
The soldiers also invaded various communities in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Sa’id Kamil, Ehab Mohammad Fahmawi, Kifah Ali Rabay’a, Mohammad Saleh Rabay’a, Abdul-Hafith Samadi, and a blind man identified as Majd ‘Amarna, 50.
In the central West Bank district of Ramallah and al-Biereh, the soldiers kidnapped Sa’id al-Qasrawi, 22, Ayman Abu Arram (former political prisoner) Sami Hussein (a former political prisoner, who was repeatedly imprisoned, spending 25 years in Israeli prisons), Faraj Rommana and Ibrahim Sabe’.
In Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers kidnapped Jibreel Ahmad al-Hawamda, 24.
In the Bethlehem district, the soldiers invaded Doha town, and kidnapped Mohammad Monjed Khallaf, while resident Fawzi Mohammad ar-’Ra’ey, from Jericho, was kidnapped on the Container military roadblock, east of occupied Jerusalem.
The PPS said dozens of soldiers invaded various areas in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, searched homes, and kidnapped thirteen Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Ahmad Abdul-Salah, Shaher Ali Najmi, Maher Khattab, Mohammad Sobhi Abdul-Rahim, Ward Jihad Abu Rezeq, Akram al-Bai’a, Mohammad Mashal, Ala Eqab Mansour, Akram Mohammad Hussein, Mohammad al-Maraqa, Sami Yasser Saleh, Thaer Taiseer Saleh and Mohammad Ateyya Hannoun.
The soldiers also invaded various communities in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Sa’id Kamil, Ehab Mohammad Fahmawi, Kifah Ali Rabay’a, Mohammad Saleh Rabay’a, Abdul-Hafith Samadi, and a blind man identified as Majd ‘Amarna, 50.
In the central West Bank district of Ramallah and al-Biereh, the soldiers kidnapped Sa’id al-Qasrawi, 22, Ayman Abu Arram (former political prisoner) Sami Hussein (a former political prisoner, who was repeatedly imprisoned, spending 25 years in Israeli prisons), Faraj Rommana and Ibrahim Sabe’.
In Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers kidnapped Jibreel Ahmad al-Hawamda, 24.
In the Bethlehem district, the soldiers invaded Doha town, and kidnapped Mohammad Monjed Khallaf, while resident Fawzi Mohammad ar-’Ra’ey, from Jericho, was kidnapped on the Container military roadblock, east of occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, several Palestinian communities in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, broke into and searched many homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and kidnapped Ehab Mohammad Abu Bakr, 22, Majd Ahmad Amarna, 44, and a blind man identified as Ezzeddin Amarna, 48 years of age.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes throughout the town, interrogated the families, and confiscated a car belonging to resident Mohannad Rabay’a.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Methaloon town, west of Jenin, also searched homes, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Kifah Ali Rabay’a and Mohammad Saleh Rabay’a.
They also invaded Sanour nearby village, stormed a home belonging to resident Omar ad-Dolab, and searched his property while interrogating the family.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and kidnapped Ehab Mohammad Abu Bakr, 22, Majd Ahmad Amarna, 44, and a blind man identified as Ezzeddin Amarna, 48 years of age.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes throughout the town, interrogated the families, and confiscated a car belonging to resident Mohannad Rabay’a.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Methaloon town, west of Jenin, also searched homes, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Kifah Ali Rabay’a and Mohammad Saleh Rabay’a.
They also invaded Sanour nearby village, stormed a home belonging to resident Omar ad-Dolab, and searched his property while interrogating the family.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, the northern West Bank city of Nablus, Askar, Balata and al-‘Ein refugee camps, and Kafr Qaleel village, broke into dozens of homes and searched them, and kidnapped nine Palestinians; eight Palestinians were injured in ensuing clashes.
Media sources said the soldiers fired several live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs, wounding eight Palestinians.
The sources added that residents Emad Fattouh and Jubran Baghdadi were shot with live rounds in their left thighs, Ahmad Sharqawi, Kamal Omran and Tha’er Khalil were shot with live rounds in their legs, while Hisham Jadallah, Mojahed Khdeish and Abdullah Abu Fattouh, were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets in their legs.
Resident Eyad Hashshash suffered a minor head injury and several bruises, after a speeding Israeli military vehicle rammed him.
In addition, the stormed and ransacked dozens of homes and kidnapped nine Palestinians, identified as Ala Mansour, Ward Abu Rezeq, Ahmad Salah, Shaher an-Najmi, Maher Khattab, Mohammad Abdul-Rahim, Mohammad Issa, Akram al-Bai’a and Mohammad Mashal.
In related news, the soldiers kidnapped a young man, identified as Riyad Hashshash, after stopping him on the Za’tara military roadblock, south of Nablus. The soldiers also searched dozens of cars, and interrogated many Palestinians while examining their ID cards.
Media sources said the soldiers fired several live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs, wounding eight Palestinians.
The sources added that residents Emad Fattouh and Jubran Baghdadi were shot with live rounds in their left thighs, Ahmad Sharqawi, Kamal Omran and Tha’er Khalil were shot with live rounds in their legs, while Hisham Jadallah, Mojahed Khdeish and Abdullah Abu Fattouh, were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets in their legs.
Resident Eyad Hashshash suffered a minor head injury and several bruises, after a speeding Israeli military vehicle rammed him.
In addition, the stormed and ransacked dozens of homes and kidnapped nine Palestinians, identified as Ala Mansour, Ward Abu Rezeq, Ahmad Salah, Shaher an-Najmi, Maher Khattab, Mohammad Abdul-Rahim, Mohammad Issa, Akram al-Bai’a and Mohammad Mashal.
In related news, the soldiers kidnapped a young man, identified as Riyad Hashshash, after stopping him on the Za’tara military roadblock, south of Nablus. The soldiers also searched dozens of cars, and interrogated many Palestinians while examining their ID cards.
The imprisoned journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for 90 days, has refused an Israeli offer suggested by Israeli Intelligence Services (Shin Bet) to deport him for two years.
The PA committee for prisoners’ studies affirmed that the Israeli military prosecution has refused any agreement that might save al-Qeiq’s life despite his very serious health condition.
The military prosecution has also rejected an appeal on behalf of the family of imprisoned Palestinian journalist to allow them to visit him at an Israeli hospital as al-Qeiq’s hunger strike reached 90 days. Israeli authorities took the decision to destroy al-Qeiq’s life even if it would lead to his death, the committee said, pointing out that al-Qieq refused along with his family and lawyer an Israeli deportation offer for two years.
Israeli Shin Bet aims to kill al-Qeiq under political and judicial cover, the committee added. The PA committee for prisoners’ studies considered the Israeli deportation offer as part of the Israeli revenge policy especially that al-Qeiq has showed heroic determination in face of Israeli interrogators in Jalama detention center despite the ill-treatment and torture he was subjected to.
Israel is turned into a Shin Bet state that has no respect to the moral and humanitarian laws and norms, according to the committee.
The PA committee for prisoners’ studies affirmed that the Israeli military prosecution has refused any agreement that might save al-Qeiq’s life despite his very serious health condition.
The military prosecution has also rejected an appeal on behalf of the family of imprisoned Palestinian journalist to allow them to visit him at an Israeli hospital as al-Qeiq’s hunger strike reached 90 days. Israeli authorities took the decision to destroy al-Qeiq’s life even if it would lead to his death, the committee said, pointing out that al-Qieq refused along with his family and lawyer an Israeli deportation offer for two years.
Israeli Shin Bet aims to kill al-Qeiq under political and judicial cover, the committee added. The PA committee for prisoners’ studies considered the Israeli deportation offer as part of the Israeli revenge policy especially that al-Qeiq has showed heroic determination in face of Israeli interrogators in Jalama detention center despite the ill-treatment and torture he was subjected to.
Israel is turned into a Shin Bet state that has no respect to the moral and humanitarian laws and norms, according to the committee.
