29 jan 2016
After a nearly three-year long battle in Israeli military courts, five Palestinian teens from the occupied West Bank village of Hares accused of manslaughter after reportedly throwing stones were on Thursday issued sentences of 15 years, a prisoners’ rights group said.
The case has been disputed in the past by relatives and rights groups, who say that insufficient evidence was provided to prove that the five had any involvement in the death of an Israeli toddler who passed away two years after the teens were accused of throwing stones at her mother's vehicle, causing it to crash.
A lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, Iyad Mahamid, told Ma’an that the military court issued the sentences to Muhammad Suleiman, Tamer Souf, Ammar Souf, Ali Shamlawi, and Muhammad Kleib.
Relatives of the detainees told Ma’an following a court hearing in December 2015 that the teens would be sentenced to prison terms of 15 years on the grounds that their families pay fines of 30,000 shekels ($7,700) by Jan. 28.
"Hares Boys," an activist blog dedicated to raising awareness of the teens’ case, posted on their Facebook page “Free the Hares Boys” on Thursday that the families were able to pay the fines in full with the assistance of outside donations.
Failure to pay the fines could have resulted in prolonged sentencing to at least 25 years in prison, according to the Hares Boys blog.
Thursday sentencing marks a poor end to a drawn-out court battle that began after the five were detained by Israeli forces on March 15, 2013. All were 16 and 17 years old at the time of their detention.
Their arrest followed the hospitalization of a three-year-old Israeli girl, Adele Biton, who suffered severe head injuries when her mother's car collided with a truck near the Israeli mega-settlement of Ariel. The toddler died two years later after suffering complications from pneumonia.
The family believes that while the child died of pneumonia, the severity of her complications was due to injuries sustained after the vehicle accident, according to Israeli media.
The Israeli vehicle had reportedly lost control after being hit by a stone, and the five teens were later accused of throwing stones that day at vehicles driving on Route 5, a highway leading to several nearby Israeli settlements.
Twenty Israeli drivers afterwards filed insurance claims stating that stones hit their cars, but the incidents lacked eyewitness testimony and the police received no calls at the time the teens were throwing stones.
All five denied the allegations, but later signed confessions "after being repeatedly abused in prison and during interrogations," according to the Hares Boys blog.
The mother of the toddler told Israeli media following Thursday's sentencing: "It is not much consolation, we would have preferred [the] death [penalty] or life-sentencing. The state did not properly tend to the matter and it didn't fully enforce the punishment to the fullest."
The British Parliament on Thursday in response to an online public forum inquiry said an official from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv had met with Chief Military Prosecutor Maurice Hirsch in November to express its concern over the case of the Hares boys, adding that the government would continue to raise the case to Israeli authorities.
The teens’ families as well as rights groups have repeatedly argued over the past three years that the youth were being held without evidence and unjustly prosecuted in a military court system that convicts over 99 percent of Palestinians.
The Hares Boys blog wrote in their defense in 2013: "If the boys are convicted, this case would set a legal precedent which would allow the Israeli military to convict any Palestinian child or youngster for attempted murder in cases of stone-throwing."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September declared a “war on stone throwing,” establishing a minimum prison sentence for adults who throw stones as well as allowing Israeli forces to use sniper fire against stone throwers in circumstances that pose mortal danger.
The PM said at the time that there would be "significant fines" for minors who commit such offences, as well as for their parents.
The Knesset had already passed a law in July making penalties for stone-throwing more severe. The new law allowed for stone-throwers to receive a 20-year prison sentence where intent to harm could be proven, and 10 years where it could not.
At the time the bill was passed, Palestinian MK Jamal Zahalka said: "Who will the judge send to prison? He who demolished the home, seized the land, killed the brother, or the boy who threw a stone?"
The case has been disputed in the past by relatives and rights groups, who say that insufficient evidence was provided to prove that the five had any involvement in the death of an Israeli toddler who passed away two years after the teens were accused of throwing stones at her mother's vehicle, causing it to crash.
A lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, Iyad Mahamid, told Ma’an that the military court issued the sentences to Muhammad Suleiman, Tamer Souf, Ammar Souf, Ali Shamlawi, and Muhammad Kleib.
Relatives of the detainees told Ma’an following a court hearing in December 2015 that the teens would be sentenced to prison terms of 15 years on the grounds that their families pay fines of 30,000 shekels ($7,700) by Jan. 28.
"Hares Boys," an activist blog dedicated to raising awareness of the teens’ case, posted on their Facebook page “Free the Hares Boys” on Thursday that the families were able to pay the fines in full with the assistance of outside donations.
Failure to pay the fines could have resulted in prolonged sentencing to at least 25 years in prison, according to the Hares Boys blog.
Thursday sentencing marks a poor end to a drawn-out court battle that began after the five were detained by Israeli forces on March 15, 2013. All were 16 and 17 years old at the time of their detention.
Their arrest followed the hospitalization of a three-year-old Israeli girl, Adele Biton, who suffered severe head injuries when her mother's car collided with a truck near the Israeli mega-settlement of Ariel. The toddler died two years later after suffering complications from pneumonia.
The family believes that while the child died of pneumonia, the severity of her complications was due to injuries sustained after the vehicle accident, according to Israeli media.
The Israeli vehicle had reportedly lost control after being hit by a stone, and the five teens were later accused of throwing stones that day at vehicles driving on Route 5, a highway leading to several nearby Israeli settlements.
Twenty Israeli drivers afterwards filed insurance claims stating that stones hit their cars, but the incidents lacked eyewitness testimony and the police received no calls at the time the teens were throwing stones.
All five denied the allegations, but later signed confessions "after being repeatedly abused in prison and during interrogations," according to the Hares Boys blog.
The mother of the toddler told Israeli media following Thursday's sentencing: "It is not much consolation, we would have preferred [the] death [penalty] or life-sentencing. The state did not properly tend to the matter and it didn't fully enforce the punishment to the fullest."
The British Parliament on Thursday in response to an online public forum inquiry said an official from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv had met with Chief Military Prosecutor Maurice Hirsch in November to express its concern over the case of the Hares boys, adding that the government would continue to raise the case to Israeli authorities.
The teens’ families as well as rights groups have repeatedly argued over the past three years that the youth were being held without evidence and unjustly prosecuted in a military court system that convicts over 99 percent of Palestinians.
The Hares Boys blog wrote in their defense in 2013: "If the boys are convicted, this case would set a legal precedent which would allow the Israeli military to convict any Palestinian child or youngster for attempted murder in cases of stone-throwing."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September declared a “war on stone throwing,” establishing a minimum prison sentence for adults who throw stones as well as allowing Israeli forces to use sniper fire against stone throwers in circumstances that pose mortal danger.
The PM said at the time that there would be "significant fines" for minors who commit such offences, as well as for their parents.
The Knesset had already passed a law in July making penalties for stone-throwing more severe. The new law allowed for stone-throwers to receive a 20-year prison sentence where intent to harm could be proven, and 10 years where it could not.
At the time the bill was passed, Palestinian MK Jamal Zahalka said: "Who will the judge send to prison? He who demolished the home, seized the land, killed the brother, or the boy who threw a stone?"
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies has reported that the Israeli Prison Authority issued a four-month arbitrary Administrative Detention order against detained legislator, Hatem Rabah Qfeisha, 56, for four months, without charges.
Amina Tawil, the center’s spokeswoman, said the soldiers kidnapped Qfeisha on January 24, 2016, after invading his home in Wadi al-Harya area, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. He is currently held in the ‘Ofer prison.
Tawil added that Qfeisha was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending more than 143 months under Administrative Detention.
He suffers from various health issues, including high blood pressure and diabetes, and went on hunger strike for twenty days in 2014.
Israel is holding captive seven Palestinian legislators; some of them have been imprisoned since many years, and others have been sentenced to dozens of years.
Amina Tawil, the center’s spokeswoman, said the soldiers kidnapped Qfeisha on January 24, 2016, after invading his home in Wadi al-Harya area, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. He is currently held in the ‘Ofer prison.
Tawil added that Qfeisha was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending more than 143 months under Administrative Detention.
He suffers from various health issues, including high blood pressure and diabetes, and went on hunger strike for twenty days in 2014.
Israel is holding captive seven Palestinian legislators; some of them have been imprisoned since many years, and others have been sentenced to dozens of years.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday at dawn, the West Bank district of Bethlehem, searched many homes and kidnapped six Palestinians. The soldiers also kidnapped one Palestinian in the northern West Bank district of Jenin.
Several armored Israeli military vehicles invaded the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, and kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Ramez Yousef Milhem, 18, and Siraj Khaled al-‘aas, 17, after searching and ransacking their homes.
The invasion led to clashes between the soldiers and local youths in the Salaam neighborhood, in the center of the refugee camp, and the soldiers fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
The soldiers also invaded Bethlehem city, searched homes and kidnapped Mohammad Maher Masalma, 22.
In addition, the army kidnapped Mahmoud Issa Najajra, 24, Abdul-Halim Mohammad Najajra, 23, and Rashed Ibrahim Najajra, 17, from Nahhalin town, west of Bethlehem, while working in Jerusalem, after the soldiers claimed they did not carry entry permits or work permits.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Ali Yousef Kamil, 28.
The soldiers also invaded Barta’a town, surrounded by the Annexation Wall, west of Jenin, and confiscated two Palestinian Taxis.
In Jenin city, the soldiers summoned Farid Ziad al-Jammal, 21, for interrogation in the Salem military base, after invading his home and violently searching it, causing excessive damage in addition to breaking some of its doors.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Kafr Ein village, north of Ramallah, and drove in its neighborhoods; no clashes or arrests were reported.
Several armored Israeli military vehicles invaded the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, and kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Ramez Yousef Milhem, 18, and Siraj Khaled al-‘aas, 17, after searching and ransacking their homes.
The invasion led to clashes between the soldiers and local youths in the Salaam neighborhood, in the center of the refugee camp, and the soldiers fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
The soldiers also invaded Bethlehem city, searched homes and kidnapped Mohammad Maher Masalma, 22.
In addition, the army kidnapped Mahmoud Issa Najajra, 24, Abdul-Halim Mohammad Najajra, 23, and Rashed Ibrahim Najajra, 17, from Nahhalin town, west of Bethlehem, while working in Jerusalem, after the soldiers claimed they did not carry entry permits or work permits.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Ali Yousef Kamil, 28.
The soldiers also invaded Barta’a town, surrounded by the Annexation Wall, west of Jenin, and confiscated two Palestinian Taxis.
In Jenin city, the soldiers summoned Farid Ziad al-Jammal, 21, for interrogation in the Salem military base, after invading his home and violently searching it, causing excessive damage in addition to breaking some of its doors.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Kafr Ein village, north of Ramallah, and drove in its neighborhoods; no clashes or arrests were reported.
The family of Palestinian detainee, Wisam Sa'adi al-Haymouni, 36, has reported, Thursday, that their son started his hunger strike in the Majeddo Israeli detention center fifteen days ago, protesting his arbitrary Administrative Detention.
The family, in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, said their son went on hunger strike after the army issued an Administrative Detention order against him, holding him captive without charges or trial.
Al-Haymouni was previously kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel five times, including his latest arrest on December 24, 2015.
After his abduction, an Israeli military court issued a four-month Administrative Detention order against him.
In related news, interrogators at the al-Jalama Israeli prison have decided to keep detained journalist, Mujahid Sa’adi, 38, under interrogation for eight additional days upon request of the Israeli Military Prosecutor’s office.
This is the third time Israeli renews the interrogation period of the imprisoned journalist, who previously spent more than five years in Israeli prisons, detention and interrogation centers.
The family, in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, said their son went on hunger strike after the army issued an Administrative Detention order against him, holding him captive without charges or trial.
Al-Haymouni was previously kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel five times, including his latest arrest on December 24, 2015.
After his abduction, an Israeli military court issued a four-month Administrative Detention order against him.
In related news, interrogators at the al-Jalama Israeli prison have decided to keep detained journalist, Mujahid Sa’adi, 38, under interrogation for eight additional days upon request of the Israeli Military Prosecutor’s office.
This is the third time Israeli renews the interrogation period of the imprisoned journalist, who previously spent more than five years in Israeli prisons, detention and interrogation centers.
HaEmek Hospital, where hunger striker Muhammad al-Qeeq has been hospitalized for about a month, has prevented yesterday the entrance of a volunteer physician from Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHRI).
On January 11, at the request of al-Qeeq and his family, the organization had made an urgent request to the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to allow an independent physician to visit him immediately.
This request was submitted to the IPS following the hospital management claim that it had no authority to approve or reject such a request.
After the visit was approved and coordinated by the IPS for January 27th, the hospital told PHRI it would not allow the visit, arguing that it did not have a suitable doctor who was available to accompany the visit at the scheduled time.
It made this claim even though the presence of a doctor on behalf of the hospital not only is not required - it contradicts the duty to maintain the patient's privacy.
International ethical codes emphasize the importance of a medical examination by an independent doctor to create a trusting relationship with the hunger striker in an attempt to reach a life-saving solution.
As Al-Qeeq is now in the 65th day of his hunger strike, this delay can be critical.
According to the Patient's Rights Act, the hospital is required to help the patient do everything necessary to realize his right to be visited by a physician.
PHRI condemns the HaEmek Hospital's decision, which reflects the inappropriate conduct that was described by Al-Qeeq until now: the forced treatment and the pressure to end his hunger strike.
In another development, the High Court ruled yesterday that it would not intervene to release Al-Qeeq from administrative detention.
PHRI reiterates its call for his immediate release.
For further information, please contact:
Andrea Barsony
International Advocacy Coordinator
Physicians for Human Rights – Israel
052 742 45 14 / andrea@phr.org.il
Prisoners to start protest steps in solidarity with journalist Qeiq
Palestinian prisoners in several Israeli jails decided to start next week protest steps in solidarity with journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for more than 65 days.
A spokesman for the prisoners in Negev jail told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) over the phone that the prisoners would start on Sunday part of these steps by refusing to take daily meals. Later, he said, the prisoners with medical conditions would take further steps by refusing to take medication and go to infirmaries.
He added that the prisoners could escalate their protest steps and refuse to go to courts in the coming days. The Israeli prison service has recently showed indifference to the deteriorating health condition of journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, which raised the anger of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, who threatened to take protest steps to pressure for his release.
On January 11, at the request of al-Qeeq and his family, the organization had made an urgent request to the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to allow an independent physician to visit him immediately.
This request was submitted to the IPS following the hospital management claim that it had no authority to approve or reject such a request.
After the visit was approved and coordinated by the IPS for January 27th, the hospital told PHRI it would not allow the visit, arguing that it did not have a suitable doctor who was available to accompany the visit at the scheduled time.
It made this claim even though the presence of a doctor on behalf of the hospital not only is not required - it contradicts the duty to maintain the patient's privacy.
International ethical codes emphasize the importance of a medical examination by an independent doctor to create a trusting relationship with the hunger striker in an attempt to reach a life-saving solution.
As Al-Qeeq is now in the 65th day of his hunger strike, this delay can be critical.
According to the Patient's Rights Act, the hospital is required to help the patient do everything necessary to realize his right to be visited by a physician.
PHRI condemns the HaEmek Hospital's decision, which reflects the inappropriate conduct that was described by Al-Qeeq until now: the forced treatment and the pressure to end his hunger strike.
In another development, the High Court ruled yesterday that it would not intervene to release Al-Qeeq from administrative detention.
PHRI reiterates its call for his immediate release.
For further information, please contact:
Andrea Barsony
International Advocacy Coordinator
Physicians for Human Rights – Israel
052 742 45 14 / andrea@phr.org.il
Prisoners to start protest steps in solidarity with journalist Qeiq
Palestinian prisoners in several Israeli jails decided to start next week protest steps in solidarity with journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for more than 65 days.
A spokesman for the prisoners in Negev jail told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) over the phone that the prisoners would start on Sunday part of these steps by refusing to take daily meals. Later, he said, the prisoners with medical conditions would take further steps by refusing to take medication and go to infirmaries.
He added that the prisoners could escalate their protest steps and refuse to go to courts in the coming days. The Israeli prison service has recently showed indifference to the deteriorating health condition of journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, which raised the anger of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, who threatened to take protest steps to pressure for his release.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Thursday extended the detention of 38-year-old journalist Mujahed al-Saadi for the third time in a row.
Al-Saadi’s family said the Israeli military court in the Jalama lock-up extended the remand of their son for eight days at the request of the Israeli military prosecution under the pretext of underway investigation procedures.
Al-Saadi had been incarcerated for five years in the Israeli occupation jails and was re-arrested on January 12.
At least 19 Palestinian journalists are currently held in Israeli prisons, including the hunger-striking detainee Muhammad al-Qeiq, who has been starving for 66 days running in protest at his arbitrary detention.
Al-Saadi’s family said the Israeli military court in the Jalama lock-up extended the remand of their son for eight days at the request of the Israeli military prosecution under the pretext of underway investigation procedures.
Al-Saadi had been incarcerated for five years in the Israeli occupation jails and was re-arrested on January 12.
At least 19 Palestinian journalists are currently held in Israeli prisons, including the hunger-striking detainee Muhammad al-Qeiq, who has been starving for 66 days running in protest at his arbitrary detention.
Seven Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Friday in mass abduction sweeps rocking the occupied West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
Local sources said the IOF rolled into Jenin province, in the northern occupied West Bank, and kidnapped two Palestinians. A PIC news reporter said the IOF stormed Jenin at the crack of dawn and showered the city with randomly-shot spates of bullet fire and teargas canisters.
The IOF further raked through residential neighborhoods and wreaked havoc on the Jamal family home before they summoned the house owner for questioning at the Salem military camp.
The same sources added that the assault fell in line with the deployment of Palestinian Authority (PA) forces, loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, across the city. The Israeli occupation troops also rolled into Jenin’s southern town of Qabatiya and kidnapped the youngster Ali Yussef Kameil after they ravaged his family home.
The IOF reportedly seized two civilian vehicles for public transportation of the Volkswagen brand in Bertaa village, to southwest of Jenin, and drove them to the 1948 Occupied Palestine without specifying the reasons for the move. Another young man was kidnapped by the occupation troops after they broke into his family home in Bethlehem’s Duheisheh refugee camp.
Clashes reportedly burst out in the area shortly afterwards. The IOF also kidnapped a Palestinian youth from Beit Awa town, in western al-Khalil. The IOF further stormed the Quds Open University, in Jerusalem’s town of Abu Dis, and wreaked havoc on the campus, sparking violent clashes with Palestinian protesters.
The IOF attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy barrages of bullet fire.
Local sources said the IOF rolled into Jenin province, in the northern occupied West Bank, and kidnapped two Palestinians. A PIC news reporter said the IOF stormed Jenin at the crack of dawn and showered the city with randomly-shot spates of bullet fire and teargas canisters.
The IOF further raked through residential neighborhoods and wreaked havoc on the Jamal family home before they summoned the house owner for questioning at the Salem military camp.
The same sources added that the assault fell in line with the deployment of Palestinian Authority (PA) forces, loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, across the city. The Israeli occupation troops also rolled into Jenin’s southern town of Qabatiya and kidnapped the youngster Ali Yussef Kameil after they ravaged his family home.
The IOF reportedly seized two civilian vehicles for public transportation of the Volkswagen brand in Bertaa village, to southwest of Jenin, and drove them to the 1948 Occupied Palestine without specifying the reasons for the move. Another young man was kidnapped by the occupation troops after they broke into his family home in Bethlehem’s Duheisheh refugee camp.
Clashes reportedly burst out in the area shortly afterwards. The IOF also kidnapped a Palestinian youth from Beit Awa town, in western al-Khalil. The IOF further stormed the Quds Open University, in Jerusalem’s town of Abu Dis, and wreaked havoc on the campus, sparking violent clashes with Palestinian protesters.
The IOF attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy barrages of bullet fire.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on Thursday evening a Palestinian citizen as he was trying to travel to Jordan through al-Karama crossing.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Shin Bet officers detained 33-year-old Mohamed Nazzal on the Israeli side of the crossing before they told him he was under arrest.
They added that Nazzal, from Qabatiya town in Jenin, came to the crossing to finish processing his travel papers before going to Jordan.
Israel uses its checkpoints and crossings as traps to detain and kidnap Palestinian citizens.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Shin Bet officers detained 33-year-old Mohamed Nazzal on the Israeli side of the crossing before they told him he was under arrest.
They added that Nazzal, from Qabatiya town in Jenin, came to the crossing to finish processing his travel papers before going to Jordan.
Israel uses its checkpoints and crossings as traps to detain and kidnap Palestinian citizens.
Two Palestinian prisoners, Mohammad Abrash and Omar Akkawi, are suffering critical health conditions in Israeli jails in light of the continuation of the Israeli prison administration procrastination in the providence of medical treatment to captives.
Palestinian Prisoners Society said on Thursday that detainee Abrash, 33, from al-Amari refugee camp, complains of loss of vision and partial hear loss.
Besides, he has his a leg amputated due to a severe injury at the hands of Israeli forces who shot him at arrest time in 2000. He needs to undergo surgeries in the eye, ear as well as in his leg.
He is held in Eshel Israeli jail and sentenced to three life-imprisonments and additional 35 years. As for captive Akkawi, from Tulkarem, he suffers urine bleeding and enlarged prostate. He is in urgent need of treatment.
He has been arrested since 2002 and sentenced to 25 years and detained in Raymond jail. In a similar context, a third Palestinian prisoner, Wisam al-Heimouni, has been on hunger strike for 15 days in Megiddo jail in protest at his administrative detention without trial or charge.
The Society also stated on Thursday that captive Heimouni, 36, from al-Khalil, was previously arrested for five times. The last arrest was on December 24, 2015 under administrative detention for four months.
Palestinian Prisoners Society said on Thursday that detainee Abrash, 33, from al-Amari refugee camp, complains of loss of vision and partial hear loss.
Besides, he has his a leg amputated due to a severe injury at the hands of Israeli forces who shot him at arrest time in 2000. He needs to undergo surgeries in the eye, ear as well as in his leg.
He is held in Eshel Israeli jail and sentenced to three life-imprisonments and additional 35 years. As for captive Akkawi, from Tulkarem, he suffers urine bleeding and enlarged prostate. He is in urgent need of treatment.
He has been arrested since 2002 and sentenced to 25 years and detained in Raymond jail. In a similar context, a third Palestinian prisoner, Wisam al-Heimouni, has been on hunger strike for 15 days in Megiddo jail in protest at his administrative detention without trial or charge.
The Society also stated on Thursday that captive Heimouni, 36, from al-Khalil, was previously arrested for five times. The last arrest was on December 24, 2015 under administrative detention for four months.
28 jan 2016
The Palestinian journalist captive Mohammad al-Qeeq, who has been on hunger strike for 65 days, declared that he is continuing the open hunger strike until his liberation or martyrdom.
The head of the legal unit of Palestinian Prisoners Society, lawyer Jawad Boulus, who visited the captive in Afula hospital, said that detainee al-Qeeq was not surprised of the court’s decision to keep the appeal suspended based on his health condition.
Boulus revealed that detainee al-Qeeq signed a sworn statement declaring that he chose willingly to go on hunger strike which may result in untreatable physical damage or may lead to death.
The statement also says that the Israeli Prison Service as well as medical crews or any other party declare that they will not force-feed or provide treatment to him even if he passes out.
Boulus pointed out that the health condition of journalist captive alQeeq is still of the same critical level. He is too thin and sleepy most of the time with difficulty to speak in addition to pain all over his body, but he is still conscious, Boulus elaborated.
The head of the legal unit of Palestinian Prisoners Society, lawyer Jawad Boulus, who visited the captive in Afula hospital, said that detainee al-Qeeq was not surprised of the court’s decision to keep the appeal suspended based on his health condition.
Boulus revealed that detainee al-Qeeq signed a sworn statement declaring that he chose willingly to go on hunger strike which may result in untreatable physical damage or may lead to death.
The statement also says that the Israeli Prison Service as well as medical crews or any other party declare that they will not force-feed or provide treatment to him even if he passes out.
Boulus pointed out that the health condition of journalist captive alQeeq is still of the same critical level. He is too thin and sleepy most of the time with difficulty to speak in addition to pain all over his body, but he is still conscious, Boulus elaborated.
Itiraf Rimawi
Israel has renewed the administrative detention order of civil society activist Itiraf Rimawi, for an additional four months.Rimawi had been scheduled to be released today.
Rimawi is the executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, a Palestinian NGO based in Ramallah.
The civil society activist has been in administrative detention since September 2014.
He is married, a father to three small children.
Israel is currently holding some 7,000 Palestinian prisoners, of whom 600 are in administrative detention.
Bisan has requested that international groups continue pressuring Israel to free all Palestinian political prisoners and end its policy of administrative detention, the holding of Palestinians captive indefinitely, without charge or trial.
Israel has renewed the administrative detention order of civil society activist Itiraf Rimawi, for an additional four months.Rimawi had been scheduled to be released today.
Rimawi is the executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, a Palestinian NGO based in Ramallah.
The civil society activist has been in administrative detention since September 2014.
He is married, a father to three small children.
Israel is currently holding some 7,000 Palestinian prisoners, of whom 600 are in administrative detention.
Bisan has requested that international groups continue pressuring Israel to free all Palestinian political prisoners and end its policy of administrative detention, the holding of Palestinians captive indefinitely, without charge or trial.
Israeli soldiers invaded, earlier on Thursday, several districts in the occupied West Bank, searched many homes and kidnapped ten Palestinians, including a father and his son.
Dozens of soldiers invaded Beit Seera village, west of Ramallah, searched and ransacked homes, and kidnapped Mohammad Rasheed Hamdan, and his son Rasheed, before taking them to an unknown destination.
Another Palestinian, identified as Ezzeddin al-Qadi, was kidnapped from his home in Ramallah, after the soldiers invaded and searched several homes.
In the West Bank district of Bethlehem, the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Suleiman from Teqoua' town, and Ahmad al-'Arouj in Bethlehem city.
Furthermore, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, identified as Faisal Khalifa, in addition to Tha'er Thiab, from the Tulkarem refugee camp, in the northern part of the Bank.
Also, Mohammad Waddah Odah was kidnapped in Tal village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, while Tareq Anwar De’is was kidnapped in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Teqoua' town, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Suleiman, 20, after searching his family's home, and interrogating them.
Also in Bethlehem, the army invaded al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of the city, and summoned Haitham Mustafa Zboun, 20, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
In Ramallah, the soldiers invaded Birzeit town, north of the city, searched a home belonging to Najeeb Mahmoud Yacoub, took pictures of the property, and interrogated his son.
Also at dawn Thursday, the soldiers kidnapped eleven Palestinians, including three children and an elderly legislator, in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
Dozens of soldiers invaded Beit Seera village, west of Ramallah, searched and ransacked homes, and kidnapped Mohammad Rasheed Hamdan, and his son Rasheed, before taking them to an unknown destination.
Another Palestinian, identified as Ezzeddin al-Qadi, was kidnapped from his home in Ramallah, after the soldiers invaded and searched several homes.
In the West Bank district of Bethlehem, the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Suleiman from Teqoua' town, and Ahmad al-'Arouj in Bethlehem city.
Furthermore, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, identified as Faisal Khalifa, in addition to Tha'er Thiab, from the Tulkarem refugee camp, in the northern part of the Bank.
Also, Mohammad Waddah Odah was kidnapped in Tal village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, while Tareq Anwar De’is was kidnapped in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Teqoua' town, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Suleiman, 20, after searching his family's home, and interrogating them.
Also in Bethlehem, the army invaded al-‘Azza refugee camp, north of the city, and summoned Haitham Mustafa Zboun, 20, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
In Ramallah, the soldiers invaded Birzeit town, north of the city, searched a home belonging to Najeeb Mahmoud Yacoub, took pictures of the property, and interrogated his son.
Also at dawn Thursday, the soldiers kidnapped eleven Palestinians, including three children and an elderly legislator, in different parts of occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Thursday arrested a Palestinian young man in Tel Ermaideh area in al-Khalil city in the southern West Bank.
The website of Maariv Israeli newspaper claimed that the Israeli army foiled a stabbing attempt in al-Khalil at noon when Israeli troops rounded up a Palestinian young man for attempting to stab a group of soldiers. The Palestinian was transferred to an investigation center, the website added.
The Israeli army has been imposing restrictions on Palestinian traffic at Tel Ermaideh and al-Shuhada Street in the city of al-Khalil for the purpose of conducting search operations.
The website of Maariv Israeli newspaper claimed that the Israeli army foiled a stabbing attempt in al-Khalil at noon when Israeli troops rounded up a Palestinian young man for attempting to stab a group of soldiers. The Palestinian was transferred to an investigation center, the website added.
The Israeli army has been imposing restrictions on Palestinian traffic at Tel Ermaideh and al-Shuhada Street in the city of al-Khalil for the purpose of conducting search operations.
Hamas has launched calls for mass participation in a rally set to be staged Friday in solidarity with the Palestinian hunger-striker Muhammad al-Qeiq and in support for the anti-occupation uprising.
The solidarity rally is set to kick off after noon prayers from al-Haras Mosque in support for prisoner al-Qeiq, whose hunger strike has entered its 65th day.
A rally was, meanwhile, held in Nablus on Thursday by the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) and the Prisoners’ Committee, among other human rights institutions, in solidarity with al-Qeiq.
Ex-hunger-striking detainee Muhammad Allan said al-Qeiq is on the verge of death as his health status has entered a critical downturn.
Allan called on the Palestinian Authority and the international human rights bodies to urgently step in and urge the Israeli occupation to release al-Qeiq before it is too late.
Allan further called on the Palestinian resistance in Gaza to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation and hold it responsible for al-Qeiq’s life.
Head of the PPS in Nablus, Raed Amer, also said that the Israeli occupation authorities have been dragging their feet over al-Qeiq’s case despite his very critical health status.
The solidarity rally is set to kick off after noon prayers from al-Haras Mosque in support for prisoner al-Qeiq, whose hunger strike has entered its 65th day.
A rally was, meanwhile, held in Nablus on Thursday by the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) and the Prisoners’ Committee, among other human rights institutions, in solidarity with al-Qeiq.
Ex-hunger-striking detainee Muhammad Allan said al-Qeiq is on the verge of death as his health status has entered a critical downturn.
Allan called on the Palestinian Authority and the international human rights bodies to urgently step in and urge the Israeli occupation to release al-Qeiq before it is too late.
Allan further called on the Palestinian resistance in Gaza to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation and hold it responsible for al-Qeiq’s life.
Head of the PPS in Nablus, Raed Amer, also said that the Israeli occupation authorities have been dragging their feet over al-Qeiq’s case despite his very critical health status.
Several Palestinians, including an MP, were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in a mass abduction sweep carried out across the occupied West Bank at dawn Thursday.
The IOF kidnapped the member of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC), Muhammad Abu Teir, after they broke into his family home in the central occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
MP Abu Teir was released on July 30, 2015 after he had been incarcerated for 25 months in Israeli occupation jails, where he had been held for a total of 25 years.
The IOF further stormed the Nour Shams refugee camp in northern Tulkarem province and kidnapped two young men, including an ex-prisoner.
Other IOF units rolled into Jenin’s southern town of Merka and sealed off access roads with military checkpoints.
Meanwhile, sources based in al-Khalil city said IOF soldiers broke into the home of the slain Palestinian youth Amjad al-Ju’bari and forced out the family members, leaving them shivering in the cold.
Ismail Ju’bari, 19, was also summoned for questioning by the occupation troops after they ravaged his family home in Qeizun town.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of three Palestinians from Ramallah, two others from Bethlehem, and another from Nablus.
Five more Palestinians were kidnapped by the IOF from Occupied Jerusalem.
Soldiers kidnap 11 Palestinians, Including A Legislator And Four Children, In Jerusalem
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday at dawn, eleven Palestinians, including three children and an elderly legislator, after the soldiers stormed many homes and searched them, mainly in the Old City, the al-‘Eesawiyya town, Kafr Aqab and Shu’fat.
Head of the Detainees' Parents Committee in Jerusalem, Ahmad Abu Asab, said the soldiers invaded the home of legislator Mohammad Abu Teir, 65, in Kafr Aqab town, and abducted him.
Abu Teir is a former political prisoner who was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending around 32 years in prison.
Several years ago, Israel revoked Abu Teir’s Jerusalem ID card, and forced him out of the city.
He added that the soldiers also kidnapped Nabil Abdul-Latif, Mahmoud Nasser, Mohammad ad-Deesi, and a child identified as Shadi Ateyya.
In the al-‘Eesawiyya town, the soldiers searched homes, and kidnapped two children, identified as Tamer Beea’, 14, and Akram Mustafa, 15.
Another child, identified as Khalil Issa, 15, was abducted by Israeli soldiers in Shu’fat refugee camp, in addition to three Palestinians, identified as, Omar Za’anin, Saleh Sandouqa and Baha’ Najeeb.
The IOF kidnapped the member of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC), Muhammad Abu Teir, after they broke into his family home in the central occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
MP Abu Teir was released on July 30, 2015 after he had been incarcerated for 25 months in Israeli occupation jails, where he had been held for a total of 25 years.
The IOF further stormed the Nour Shams refugee camp in northern Tulkarem province and kidnapped two young men, including an ex-prisoner.
Other IOF units rolled into Jenin’s southern town of Merka and sealed off access roads with military checkpoints.
Meanwhile, sources based in al-Khalil city said IOF soldiers broke into the home of the slain Palestinian youth Amjad al-Ju’bari and forced out the family members, leaving them shivering in the cold.
Ismail Ju’bari, 19, was also summoned for questioning by the occupation troops after they ravaged his family home in Qeizun town.
The campaign culminated in the abduction of three Palestinians from Ramallah, two others from Bethlehem, and another from Nablus.
Five more Palestinians were kidnapped by the IOF from Occupied Jerusalem.
Soldiers kidnap 11 Palestinians, Including A Legislator And Four Children, In Jerusalem
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday at dawn, eleven Palestinians, including three children and an elderly legislator, after the soldiers stormed many homes and searched them, mainly in the Old City, the al-‘Eesawiyya town, Kafr Aqab and Shu’fat.
Head of the Detainees' Parents Committee in Jerusalem, Ahmad Abu Asab, said the soldiers invaded the home of legislator Mohammad Abu Teir, 65, in Kafr Aqab town, and abducted him.
Abu Teir is a former political prisoner who was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending around 32 years in prison.
Several years ago, Israel revoked Abu Teir’s Jerusalem ID card, and forced him out of the city.
He added that the soldiers also kidnapped Nabil Abdul-Latif, Mahmoud Nasser, Mohammad ad-Deesi, and a child identified as Shadi Ateyya.
In the al-‘Eesawiyya town, the soldiers searched homes, and kidnapped two children, identified as Tamer Beea’, 14, and Akram Mustafa, 15.
Another child, identified as Khalil Issa, 15, was abducted by Israeli soldiers in Shu’fat refugee camp, in addition to three Palestinians, identified as, Omar Za’anin, Saleh Sandouqa and Baha’ Najeeb.
The Israeli Supreme Court turned down the appeals filed by the Palestinian hunger-striker Muhammad al-Qeiq to end his administrative detention and restore his freedom after his hunger strike in Israeli jails has entered its 64th day.
Lawyer Ashraf Abu Esneineh dubbed the court decision “strange and unclear.”
The Israeli court said the decision on whether to release al-Qeiq will depend on his health status, and that due to the critical downturn the latter has gone through an urgent hearing will be held by the court to finalize the decision.
The lawyer said a similar decision was issued against the ex-hunger-striking detainee Muhammad Allan sometime earlier.
Abu Esneineh added that the judge's procrastination as regards al-Qeiq’s case amounts to a rejection of his appeals and a disregard for his life.
Lawyer Jawad Boulos, from the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), also said that the occupation court left the decision on the appeals filed by al-Qeiq suspended.
He added that the court required a set of daily check-ups on al-Qeiq’s health status pending a final decision on his case.
Prisoner al-Qeiq has been on a hunger strike for 64 days running in protest at being held administratively, with neither charge nor trial, in Israeli occupation jails.
The Palestinian Journalist Bloc (PJB) also condemned the apathy maintained by the Israeli occupation vis-à-vis al-Qeiq’s critical health status, saying the occupation authorities rather aim to cold-bloodedly execute the detainee.
The PJB spoke out against the silence maintained by international human rights institutions as regards al-Qeiq’s case.
“Where have the Red Cross Organizations, Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, among other regional and international institutions been?” PJB wondered.
The group called on all concerned parties to take up their responsibilities regarding al-Qeiq and to seriously work on saving his life before it is too late.
Red Cross concerned over health of hunger striker Mohamed Qeiq
The Red Cross has voiced its deep concern over the health condition of journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for over 60 days.
In a press release on Thursday, the Red Cross said that its doctor and delegates visit Qeiq regularly in order to monitor his health condition, affirming that it is in constant contact with the Israeli competent authorities with regard to the issue of the prisoner.
The Red Cross described the health condition of Qeiq as very critical and life-threatening as a result of his prolonged hunger strike.
Red Cross doctor Javier Rubio stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialog between the patient, his representatives and the Israeli authorities in order to find a solution preventing any loss of life.
In a related context, an Israeli court rejected on Wednesday a petition filed by his lawyer demanding an end to his administrative detention.
His lawyer, Ashraf Abu Sneineh condemned the court decision as "strange and unclear," pointing out that the court said it would not consider his release unless his health condition reached a very critical stage.
For his part, Sheikh Ali Daghi, secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, appealed to the international community and the world's civil society and human rights groups to swiftly intervene to pressure Israel to unconditionally release journalist Qeiq.
Despite the gravity of his health condition, journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq insists on continuing his hunger strike for 65th consecutive day in protest at his administrative detention with no indictment.
Lawyer Ashraf Abu Esneineh dubbed the court decision “strange and unclear.”
The Israeli court said the decision on whether to release al-Qeiq will depend on his health status, and that due to the critical downturn the latter has gone through an urgent hearing will be held by the court to finalize the decision.
The lawyer said a similar decision was issued against the ex-hunger-striking detainee Muhammad Allan sometime earlier.
Abu Esneineh added that the judge's procrastination as regards al-Qeiq’s case amounts to a rejection of his appeals and a disregard for his life.
Lawyer Jawad Boulos, from the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), also said that the occupation court left the decision on the appeals filed by al-Qeiq suspended.
He added that the court required a set of daily check-ups on al-Qeiq’s health status pending a final decision on his case.
Prisoner al-Qeiq has been on a hunger strike for 64 days running in protest at being held administratively, with neither charge nor trial, in Israeli occupation jails.
The Palestinian Journalist Bloc (PJB) also condemned the apathy maintained by the Israeli occupation vis-à-vis al-Qeiq’s critical health status, saying the occupation authorities rather aim to cold-bloodedly execute the detainee.
The PJB spoke out against the silence maintained by international human rights institutions as regards al-Qeiq’s case.
“Where have the Red Cross Organizations, Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, among other regional and international institutions been?” PJB wondered.
The group called on all concerned parties to take up their responsibilities regarding al-Qeiq and to seriously work on saving his life before it is too late.
Red Cross concerned over health of hunger striker Mohamed Qeiq
The Red Cross has voiced its deep concern over the health condition of journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for over 60 days.
In a press release on Thursday, the Red Cross said that its doctor and delegates visit Qeiq regularly in order to monitor his health condition, affirming that it is in constant contact with the Israeli competent authorities with regard to the issue of the prisoner.
The Red Cross described the health condition of Qeiq as very critical and life-threatening as a result of his prolonged hunger strike.
Red Cross doctor Javier Rubio stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialog between the patient, his representatives and the Israeli authorities in order to find a solution preventing any loss of life.
In a related context, an Israeli court rejected on Wednesday a petition filed by his lawyer demanding an end to his administrative detention.
His lawyer, Ashraf Abu Sneineh condemned the court decision as "strange and unclear," pointing out that the court said it would not consider his release unless his health condition reached a very critical stage.
For his part, Sheikh Ali Daghi, secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, appealed to the international community and the world's civil society and human rights groups to swiftly intervene to pressure Israel to unconditionally release journalist Qeiq.
Despite the gravity of his health condition, journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq insists on continuing his hunger strike for 65th consecutive day in protest at his administrative detention with no indictment.
With a snow storm expected to hit the region by Monday,young Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s Hasharon prison have complained about being deprived of a necessary heating system, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS).
An attorney with PPS said, according to WAFA, after having visited minor Palestinian detainees in Hasharon, central Israel, the Prison Service has banned prisoners from buying electric heaters and deprived them of sufficient winter blankets.
There are some 450 minors in Israeli jails, 41 of whom are in Hasharon.
Although the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a “child” as “every human being below the age of eighteen years”, according to Israeli military order 132, Palestinian children age 16 and older are tried and sentenced by Israeli military courts as adults.
Addameer prisoner rights group says that “by comparison, juvenile legislation defines Israeli children as age 18 or younger. What’s more, a Palestinian child’s sentence is decided on the basis of the child’s age at the time of sentencing, and not at the time when the alleged offense was committed.”
IMEMC archive report: "Israel Kidnapped 1,000 Children In Less Than Two Months"
An attorney with PPS said, according to WAFA, after having visited minor Palestinian detainees in Hasharon, central Israel, the Prison Service has banned prisoners from buying electric heaters and deprived them of sufficient winter blankets.
There are some 450 minors in Israeli jails, 41 of whom are in Hasharon.
Although the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a “child” as “every human being below the age of eighteen years”, according to Israeli military order 132, Palestinian children age 16 and older are tried and sentenced by Israeli military courts as adults.
Addameer prisoner rights group says that “by comparison, juvenile legislation defines Israeli children as age 18 or younger. What’s more, a Palestinian child’s sentence is decided on the basis of the child’s age at the time of sentencing, and not at the time when the alleged offense was committed.”
IMEMC archive report: "Israel Kidnapped 1,000 Children In Less Than Two Months"
An Israeli man was injured Wednesday night, in a stabbing attack which took place at a gas station outside an illegal Israeli settlement, to the north of Jerusalem, Israeli police said.
An Israeli police spokesperson said, according to Ma'an, that a middle-aged Israeli man was critically injured in the upper body after he was stabbed at the entrance of a gas station complex, near the illegal Givat Zeev settlement, and taken to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center for medical treatment.
An 18-year-old from the occupied West Bank village of Bir Nibala, suspected of carrying out the stabbing, fled the scene and was chased down and held by witnesses before being detained by Israeli police, following the incident.
The spokesperson additionally stated that the teen was also taken to the hospital for medical treatment, without specifying the nature of his wounds.
The incident was one of a number of attacks to be carried out over the past week, in or close to Israeli settlements, in the occupied West Bank.
An Israeli police spokesperson said, according to Ma'an, that a middle-aged Israeli man was critically injured in the upper body after he was stabbed at the entrance of a gas station complex, near the illegal Givat Zeev settlement, and taken to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center for medical treatment.
An 18-year-old from the occupied West Bank village of Bir Nibala, suspected of carrying out the stabbing, fled the scene and was chased down and held by witnesses before being detained by Israeli police, following the incident.
The spokesperson additionally stated that the teen was also taken to the hospital for medical treatment, without specifying the nature of his wounds.
The incident was one of a number of attacks to be carried out over the past week, in or close to Israeli settlements, in the occupied West Bank.
