10 jan 2016
Two Palestinian injured captives in Israeli jails: Mohammad al-Shalalda, 24, and Azmi al-Naffa, 21, are suffering health deterioration due to their injuries inflicted by Israeli gunfire during their arrest.
Lawyer of Palestinian Prisoner Society, who visited both prisoners in Ramleh Prison’s clinic, said that detainee Shalada, who is from al-Khalil, suffers from imbalance and uses wheelchair in order to be able to move. He also complains of partial loss of memory.
Shalada was shot by Israeli forces in the upper part of his body when he was arrested on October, 21, 2015. He suffered coma for a few days later.
Prisoner Naffa, who is from Jenin, was shot by Israeli gunfire on his arrest on November, 22, 2015. He suffered face deformities and fractures in his upper teeth as well as in one of his arms. He also breathes through a hall in the neck.
Lawyer of Palestinian Prisoner Society, who visited both prisoners in Ramleh Prison’s clinic, said that detainee Shalada, who is from al-Khalil, suffers from imbalance and uses wheelchair in order to be able to move. He also complains of partial loss of memory.
Shalada was shot by Israeli forces in the upper part of his body when he was arrested on October, 21, 2015. He suffered coma for a few days later.
Prisoner Naffa, who is from Jenin, was shot by Israeli gunfire on his arrest on November, 22, 2015. He suffered face deformities and fractures in his upper teeth as well as in one of his arms. He also breathes through a hall in the neck.
The health condition of the Palestinian journalist captive Mohammad al-Qiq has entered a stage of real danger after an ongoing 48-day-long hunger strike. He went on the strike in protest against being held under administrative detention with no charge or trial.
Journalist Faiha Shalash, the wife of prisoner Qiq, told the PIC reporter on Sunday that her husband, who has been on hunger strike since November 24, has lost 22 kilograms of his weight and that he is using a wheelchair to reach the toilet as he has become incapable of standing up and moving.
The wife affirmed that detainee Qiq vomits blood and complains of ceaseless dizziness and sometimes he passes out. She appealed to local and international human rights, humanitarian and media institutions to intervene to save her husband’s life.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) is working on killing Qiq slowly because of his insistence on continuing his hunger strike, Shalash said.
Journalist Faiha Shalash, the wife of prisoner Qiq, told the PIC reporter on Sunday that her husband, who has been on hunger strike since November 24, has lost 22 kilograms of his weight and that he is using a wheelchair to reach the toilet as he has become incapable of standing up and moving.
The wife affirmed that detainee Qiq vomits blood and complains of ceaseless dizziness and sometimes he passes out. She appealed to local and international human rights, humanitarian and media institutions to intervene to save her husband’s life.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) is working on killing Qiq slowly because of his insistence on continuing his hunger strike, Shalash said.
The Israeli Magistrates Court in Haifa on Saturday evening extended the detention of five Palestinians for allegedly assisting a slain anti-occupation activist, Israeli sources reported Sunday.
According to an Israeli broadcast, the occupation authorities extended the remand of five Palestinians on allegations of assisting the Palestinian activist Melhem, who carried out an anti-occupation attack in Tel Aviv.
The occupation court extended the detention of four captives for three days and that of the fifth for a couple of days.
Two of those arrested have been identified as relatives of Melhem.
The Israeli police had requested the extension of the detention of the five arrestees for 10 days.
Melhem was murdered by the Israeli special forces on Friday in his hometown—Arara—after he had been chased down for eight days. He was accused of launching a shooting attack that killed two Israelis in Tel Aviv.
Melhem’s body was kidnapped by the special forces. His body is expected to be released for burial sometime on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Central Court in Haifa released Melhem’s father, Muhammad, and his brother under conditions of a 10-day house arrest.
Both Melhem’s father and brother were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation soldiers from Arara town one week ago.
According to an Israeli broadcast, the occupation authorities extended the remand of five Palestinians on allegations of assisting the Palestinian activist Melhem, who carried out an anti-occupation attack in Tel Aviv.
The occupation court extended the detention of four captives for three days and that of the fifth for a couple of days.
Two of those arrested have been identified as relatives of Melhem.
The Israeli police had requested the extension of the detention of the five arrestees for 10 days.
Melhem was murdered by the Israeli special forces on Friday in his hometown—Arara—after he had been chased down for eight days. He was accused of launching a shooting attack that killed two Israelis in Tel Aviv.
Melhem’s body was kidnapped by the special forces. His body is expected to be released for burial sometime on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Central Court in Haifa released Melhem’s father, Muhammad, and his brother under conditions of a 10-day house arrest.
Both Melhem’s father and brother were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation soldiers from Arara town one week ago.
At least 65 Palestinian children had been subjected to house arrest by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in 2015, resulting in serious psychological torment, a prisoners’ rights group reported.
Spokesman for the Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies, Riyad al-Ashqar, said in a statement that the IOF detained more than 1,900 Palestinians from Occupied Jerusalem in 2015, one-third of whom were minors. 65 of those detained minors were put under house arrest.
Al-Ashqar slammed Israel’s use of house arrest against Palestinians aged below 14 as an attempt to skirt Israeli law regarding imprisonment of minors that in effect “turns the child’s house itself into a prison and the family members into wardens against their will.”
He further spoke out against the psychological turmoil inflicted by such an Israeli policy, saying: “The child sees his friends playing and having fun outside and cannot join them. Faced with such a prohibition, the child becomes nervous and shouts at his/her parents—‘his/her wardens.’ ”
“This also affects the psycho-social structure of the family and creates a sort of barrier between the child and his/her parents,” al-Ashqar maintained.
He added that parents are often caught in such an agonizing situation where they are forced to ban their children from going to school in order not to be re-captured or tortured by the occupation troops, which affects the child’s academic career and intellectual potentials.
According to al-Ashqar, there are two types of house confinement imposed by the IOF on Palestinian children; the first is to have the child locked up at his/her own family home all day long; the second is to have the child incarcerated at a relative’s home located far away from his/her native neighborhood, imposing on the child faces and places that he/she can hardly, if ever, put up with due to their striking unfamiliarity.
Conditions in the Israeli occupation jails have often failed to meet international and humanitarian standards, with children detainees reportedly denied family visitation and forced into solitary lock-down.
Spokesman for the Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies, Riyad al-Ashqar, said in a statement that the IOF detained more than 1,900 Palestinians from Occupied Jerusalem in 2015, one-third of whom were minors. 65 of those detained minors were put under house arrest.
Al-Ashqar slammed Israel’s use of house arrest against Palestinians aged below 14 as an attempt to skirt Israeli law regarding imprisonment of minors that in effect “turns the child’s house itself into a prison and the family members into wardens against their will.”
He further spoke out against the psychological turmoil inflicted by such an Israeli policy, saying: “The child sees his friends playing and having fun outside and cannot join them. Faced with such a prohibition, the child becomes nervous and shouts at his/her parents—‘his/her wardens.’ ”
“This also affects the psycho-social structure of the family and creates a sort of barrier between the child and his/her parents,” al-Ashqar maintained.
He added that parents are often caught in such an agonizing situation where they are forced to ban their children from going to school in order not to be re-captured or tortured by the occupation troops, which affects the child’s academic career and intellectual potentials.
According to al-Ashqar, there are two types of house confinement imposed by the IOF on Palestinian children; the first is to have the child locked up at his/her own family home all day long; the second is to have the child incarcerated at a relative’s home located far away from his/her native neighborhood, imposing on the child faces and places that he/she can hardly, if ever, put up with due to their striking unfamiliarity.
Conditions in the Israeli occupation jails have often failed to meet international and humanitarian standards, with children detainees reportedly denied family visitation and forced into solitary lock-down.
Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, claimed that Israeli soldiers have arrested four members of Hamas Movement for allegedly plotting anti-occupation attacks.
The intelligence agency reported the arrests were carried out in al-Khalil city, south of the West Bank, Ma’ariv Hebrew newspaper claimed.
M16 rifle and a gun were found in their possession, the paper added.
One of those arrested has been named as 38-year-old Mohamed Ali Kawasme from the city of al-Khalil whose brother, Hussam Kawasme, was sentenced for three life terms for allegedly kidnapping and killing three settlers in June 2014.
The detainees were plotting to carry out a shooting attack in 35 Street mainly used by Israeli settlers, according to the newspaper.
The four detainees were indicted by the Israeli prosecutor on charges of plotting murder and being affiliated with Hamas Movement.
Earlier last week, Israeli authorities claimed “the arrest of six members of Hamas Movement in al-Khalil and occupied Jerusalem for allegedly plotting to kidnap Israeli soldiers and settlers.”
Based on rights group figures, Israeli forces detained at least 6,830 Palestinians in 2015. Nearly 2,179 of those arrested in 2015 were minors aged between 11 and 18.
The intelligence agency reported the arrests were carried out in al-Khalil city, south of the West Bank, Ma’ariv Hebrew newspaper claimed.
M16 rifle and a gun were found in their possession, the paper added.
One of those arrested has been named as 38-year-old Mohamed Ali Kawasme from the city of al-Khalil whose brother, Hussam Kawasme, was sentenced for three life terms for allegedly kidnapping and killing three settlers in June 2014.
The detainees were plotting to carry out a shooting attack in 35 Street mainly used by Israeli settlers, according to the newspaper.
The four detainees were indicted by the Israeli prosecutor on charges of plotting murder and being affiliated with Hamas Movement.
Earlier last week, Israeli authorities claimed “the arrest of six members of Hamas Movement in al-Khalil and occupied Jerusalem for allegedly plotting to kidnap Israeli soldiers and settlers.”
Based on rights group figures, Israeli forces detained at least 6,830 Palestinians in 2015. Nearly 2,179 of those arrested in 2015 were minors aged between 11 and 18.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rounded up six Palestinian youths in three West Bank districts at dawn Sunday and served summonses for two others.
The 0404 Hebrew website said that two Palestinian young men were arrested in Nahalin village near Bethlehem, describing them as “wanted for investigation”.
Quds Press reported that IOF soldiers raided the village of Nahalin and searched houses before taking away the two youths, one of them an ex-detainee.
Meanwhile, other IOF raids were documented in Tulkarem and al-Khalil, the Palestinian Prisoner Association reported.
It explained that three citizens were detained in Tulkarem, including two brothers, while a 20-year-old youth was kidnapped in al-Khalil.
The statement pointed out that 36 Palestinian citizens were rounded up over the past three days, noting that the IOF raids into West Bank cities and towns had escalated since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada in early October last year.
The 0404 Hebrew website said that two Palestinian young men were arrested in Nahalin village near Bethlehem, describing them as “wanted for investigation”.
Quds Press reported that IOF soldiers raided the village of Nahalin and searched houses before taking away the two youths, one of them an ex-detainee.
Meanwhile, other IOF raids were documented in Tulkarem and al-Khalil, the Palestinian Prisoner Association reported.
It explained that three citizens were detained in Tulkarem, including two brothers, while a 20-year-old youth was kidnapped in al-Khalil.
The statement pointed out that 36 Palestinian citizens were rounded up over the past three days, noting that the IOF raids into West Bank cities and towns had escalated since the outbreak of the Jerusalem Intifada in early October last year.
Israeli authorities have officially labelled a deadly Tel Aviv shooting carried out earlier this month a “terror attack,” Israel’s Public Security Ministry said Saturday.
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 news, Gilad Erdan referred to the suspected shooter, Nashat Melhem, as a “terrorist” acting out of “nationalistic motives.”
Israel’s Defense Ministry meanwhile recognized three Israelis killed in the shooting as “victims of terror,” Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
Melhem was suspected of carrying out a shooting attack that killed two Israelis and injured 7 on Jan. 1. A third Israeli -- reportedly a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship -- was killed as Melhem fled the scene before going into hiding.
Melhem was shot dead in a gun battle with Israeli forces days later in his hometown of Arara.
Several were arrested during the search for Melhem and an Israeli court on Saturday extended the detention of five Palestinians suspected of involvement with the shooting attack, according to Haaretz. The newspaper added that Melhem's father, who had been held in Israeli police custody for five days, and his brother, were released.
A court in Haifa accepted a police request for the extended arrest of the five, all of whom are suspected for membership in an illegal organization and conspiracy to commit a crime and aiding a crime, the daily said.
The Defense Ministry’s labeling of the Tel Aviv attack as a “terrorist” incident came shortly after the Hamas movement on Friday mourned the death of Melhem.
A spokesman for the movement, Husam Badran, said in a statement that Melhem was a “hero.”
"Nashaat is an example of the free Palestinian who sacrifices himself in defense of his own people and in support of their cause," Badran said.
"The blood of the martyrs will remain a beacon for the [Palestinian] generations who will tread the same path," he added.
Details have yet to be released regarding Melhem’s political affiliation and exact motives for the attack. Israeli police and intelligence forces meanwhile have reportedly targeted Palestinian communities in northern Israel since the Jan. 1. attack.
Jafar Farah, the director of the Haifa-based Mossawa Advocacy Center For Arab Citizens In Israel, told Ma’an on Friday that his organization had received a number of calls since the attack regarding aggressive behavior from Israeli security forces against Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.
"But we know that in these circumstances, there is no authority willing to intervene in the media to do anything other than support the (crackdown)," Farah said at the time. "The atmosphere right now is very heavy and racist, there is a lot of incitement."
Critics slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged incitement against Palestinian citizens of Israel during the search for Melhem, and Haaretz reported that the PM may revoke a plan intended to advance minorities in Israel.
The five-year $2.5 billion plan was approved by Israel’s cabinet last week and would fund employment and social development for Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as other minorities.
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 news, Gilad Erdan referred to the suspected shooter, Nashat Melhem, as a “terrorist” acting out of “nationalistic motives.”
Israel’s Defense Ministry meanwhile recognized three Israelis killed in the shooting as “victims of terror,” Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
Melhem was suspected of carrying out a shooting attack that killed two Israelis and injured 7 on Jan. 1. A third Israeli -- reportedly a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship -- was killed as Melhem fled the scene before going into hiding.
Melhem was shot dead in a gun battle with Israeli forces days later in his hometown of Arara.
Several were arrested during the search for Melhem and an Israeli court on Saturday extended the detention of five Palestinians suspected of involvement with the shooting attack, according to Haaretz. The newspaper added that Melhem's father, who had been held in Israeli police custody for five days, and his brother, were released.
A court in Haifa accepted a police request for the extended arrest of the five, all of whom are suspected for membership in an illegal organization and conspiracy to commit a crime and aiding a crime, the daily said.
The Defense Ministry’s labeling of the Tel Aviv attack as a “terrorist” incident came shortly after the Hamas movement on Friday mourned the death of Melhem.
A spokesman for the movement, Husam Badran, said in a statement that Melhem was a “hero.”
"Nashaat is an example of the free Palestinian who sacrifices himself in defense of his own people and in support of their cause," Badran said.
"The blood of the martyrs will remain a beacon for the [Palestinian] generations who will tread the same path," he added.
Details have yet to be released regarding Melhem’s political affiliation and exact motives for the attack. Israeli police and intelligence forces meanwhile have reportedly targeted Palestinian communities in northern Israel since the Jan. 1. attack.
Jafar Farah, the director of the Haifa-based Mossawa Advocacy Center For Arab Citizens In Israel, told Ma’an on Friday that his organization had received a number of calls since the attack regarding aggressive behavior from Israeli security forces against Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.
"But we know that in these circumstances, there is no authority willing to intervene in the media to do anything other than support the (crackdown)," Farah said at the time. "The atmosphere right now is very heavy and racist, there is a lot of incitement."
Critics slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged incitement against Palestinian citizens of Israel during the search for Melhem, and Haaretz reported that the PM may revoke a plan intended to advance minorities in Israel.
The five-year $2.5 billion plan was approved by Israel’s cabinet last week and would fund employment and social development for Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as other minorities.
Israeli troops carried out predawn detention raids in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, arresting six young Palestinian men, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said in a statement.
Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the northern West Bank district of Tulkarem, two in the town of Nahhalin in the southern district of Bethlehem, and one near the southern West Bank town of Hebron, the statement said, according to Ma'an.
In Tulkarem, Israeli forces abducted Ibrahim Sami al-Akhras and his brother Muhammad, as well as Ali Ayman Jazmawi. The statement identified the Nahhalin detainees as Ahmad Mahmoud Najajra and Nassar Aqil Najajra.
Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier took Munif Kamal Amr near Hebron.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the detention of two people in Nahhalin, claiming that they were “suspected of illegal activities.” She did not confirm the other cases in Tulkarem and Hebron.
According to WAFA, Israeli armed forces also detained a young Palestinian from the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.
Muhammad Awwad, spokesman of the popular committee against settlements in Beit Ummar told WAFA Israeli forces arrested 20-year-old Ayish Ikhlil upon arriving at the Etzion interrogation center north of the town.
PPS highlighted that Israeli forces detained 36 Palestinians in the last three days.
Israeli forces regularly carry out detention raids across the occupied Palestinian territory, with the UN documenting at least 347 such raids in the last two weeks of December 2015 alone.
Updated from: Soldiers Kidnap Two Palestinians Near Bethlehem
Soldiers Kidnap Two Palestinians Near Bethlehem
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Sunday at dawn, Nahhalin town, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, searched homes and kidnapped two Palestinians.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in Nahhalin, interrogated several Palestinians and kidnapped two identified as Ahmad Mahmoud Najajra, 22, and Nassar ‘Aqel Najajra, 21, and handed Mahmoud Ahmad Hajahja, 31, a military order for interrogation in the Etzion base for interrogation.
In related news, the soldiers also confiscated surveillance equipment in a gas station, on the Hebron-Jerusalem Road, and destroyed several machines and equipment.
The soldiers also inspected surveillance tapes in a number of shops and stores near the Beit Jala Governmental hospital.
Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the northern West Bank district of Tulkarem, two in the town of Nahhalin in the southern district of Bethlehem, and one near the southern West Bank town of Hebron, the statement said, according to Ma'an.
In Tulkarem, Israeli forces abducted Ibrahim Sami al-Akhras and his brother Muhammad, as well as Ali Ayman Jazmawi. The statement identified the Nahhalin detainees as Ahmad Mahmoud Najajra and Nassar Aqil Najajra.
Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier took Munif Kamal Amr near Hebron.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the detention of two people in Nahhalin, claiming that they were “suspected of illegal activities.” She did not confirm the other cases in Tulkarem and Hebron.
According to WAFA, Israeli armed forces also detained a young Palestinian from the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.
Muhammad Awwad, spokesman of the popular committee against settlements in Beit Ummar told WAFA Israeli forces arrested 20-year-old Ayish Ikhlil upon arriving at the Etzion interrogation center north of the town.
PPS highlighted that Israeli forces detained 36 Palestinians in the last three days.
Israeli forces regularly carry out detention raids across the occupied Palestinian territory, with the UN documenting at least 347 such raids in the last two weeks of December 2015 alone.
Updated from: Soldiers Kidnap Two Palestinians Near Bethlehem
Soldiers Kidnap Two Palestinians Near Bethlehem
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Sunday at dawn, Nahhalin town, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, searched homes and kidnapped two Palestinians.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in Nahhalin, interrogated several Palestinians and kidnapped two identified as Ahmad Mahmoud Najajra, 22, and Nassar ‘Aqel Najajra, 21, and handed Mahmoud Ahmad Hajahja, 31, a military order for interrogation in the Etzion base for interrogation.
In related news, the soldiers also confiscated surveillance equipment in a gas station, on the Hebron-Jerusalem Road, and destroyed several machines and equipment.
The soldiers also inspected surveillance tapes in a number of shops and stores near the Beit Jala Governmental hospital.
Along with the extensive kidnapping of Palestinian children and minors, the Israeli court has endorsed a new law that allows issuing prison sentences against Palestinian children, a new escalation targeting Palestinian childhood and a further violation of the human rights.
The new Israeli law justifies issuing long-term prison sentences against tens of Palestinian children, especially Ahmad Manasra, 13, Moawiya Alqam, 13, and his cousin Ali Alqam, 11, the world's youngest prisoner. Before arresting him, Israeli soldiers shot Ali three times in the upper part of his body.
Mohammed Shalalda, a professor of International Law at the al-Quds Open University and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, confirmed that the Israeli prosecution of children below 18 is "a blatant violation of the international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, of which Israel is a party."
Ratification
An Israeli ministerial committee ratified on November 22 a law to try the Palestinian children below 14 years old if they commit crimes against the Israeli national security, referring to the Palestinian acts of resistance.
The Israeli Knesset unanimously approved the proposal at the first reading. If approved at the second and third readings, the law would bring the 12-year-old Palestinian children to court and they would be kept in rehabilitation centers until they become 14 to move to normal adults prisons.
Racist trials
Shalalda stressed that such Israeli trials are based on discrimination, "as they contradict the Israeli laws and trials held for Israeli children for the same charge."
He said, "Israel is a party to the Law of Treaties of 1969, which states that no state party shall enact a national legislation that violates international conventions."
Bitter facts
Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies documented 6000 Israeli arrests of Palestinians, of whom 1930 are children, in 2015.
Riyad al-Ashqar, the Center's spokesperson, said that around one third of the Israeli arrests were for minors. The arrests during 2015, according to him, were focused on children less than 14 years of age, and even included children under 10.
According to Addameer organization for Palestinian prisoners affairs, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have arrested more than 2000 Palestinians, of whom 350 are children, raising the number of Palestinian children prisoners in Israeli jails to 400 in November.
Targeting Palestinian childhood
"Israel has already arrested children under 14, and even 11 years of age. But the real danger the new law imposes is allowing sentencing them, risking their future," said Abdul-Nasser Ferwana, head of the Palestinian Detainees Committee.
The idea of the new Israeli law was raised after the IOF arrested the child Ahmad Manasra, 13, on October 12, after he purportedly attempted to stab an Israeli settler.
Extract forced confessions
Ferwana insisted that the law threats include getting forced confessions from the children at the hands of the Israeli interrogators.
A video released from the Israeli interrogation room showed Ahmad Manasra with three Israeli interrogators shouting at him and trying to force him to confess his accomplice in a stabbing attempt. Manasra repeatedly said, "I can't remember," but the interrogators managed to have them confess, without the presence of a lawyer.
The new law treats the children like adults, thus exposing them to long-term prison sentences.
Torture
"The Israeli authorities ill-treat the Palestinian children at a systematic large scale," commented Iyad Misk, attorney at Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP).
Misk pointed out that the reports DCIP collected between January and June, 2015, show that 86% of the Palestinian children prisoners in the Israeli jails were exposed to one or more forms of physical torture. This percentage is 10% higher than that of 2014.
The reports show that the Israeli interrogators threaten the children and keep them in solitary confinement to force them to confess. In addition, the children are mostly unaware of their rights.
According to Misk, the Israeli authorities exploit the emergency law, which allows the use of administrative detention policy in Jerusalem, for the first time since the year 2000.
The new Israeli law justifies issuing long-term prison sentences against tens of Palestinian children, especially Ahmad Manasra, 13, Moawiya Alqam, 13, and his cousin Ali Alqam, 11, the world's youngest prisoner. Before arresting him, Israeli soldiers shot Ali three times in the upper part of his body.
Mohammed Shalalda, a professor of International Law at the al-Quds Open University and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, confirmed that the Israeli prosecution of children below 18 is "a blatant violation of the international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, of which Israel is a party."
Ratification
An Israeli ministerial committee ratified on November 22 a law to try the Palestinian children below 14 years old if they commit crimes against the Israeli national security, referring to the Palestinian acts of resistance.
The Israeli Knesset unanimously approved the proposal at the first reading. If approved at the second and third readings, the law would bring the 12-year-old Palestinian children to court and they would be kept in rehabilitation centers until they become 14 to move to normal adults prisons.
Racist trials
Shalalda stressed that such Israeli trials are based on discrimination, "as they contradict the Israeli laws and trials held for Israeli children for the same charge."
He said, "Israel is a party to the Law of Treaties of 1969, which states that no state party shall enact a national legislation that violates international conventions."
Bitter facts
Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies documented 6000 Israeli arrests of Palestinians, of whom 1930 are children, in 2015.
Riyad al-Ashqar, the Center's spokesperson, said that around one third of the Israeli arrests were for minors. The arrests during 2015, according to him, were focused on children less than 14 years of age, and even included children under 10.
According to Addameer organization for Palestinian prisoners affairs, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have arrested more than 2000 Palestinians, of whom 350 are children, raising the number of Palestinian children prisoners in Israeli jails to 400 in November.
Targeting Palestinian childhood
"Israel has already arrested children under 14, and even 11 years of age. But the real danger the new law imposes is allowing sentencing them, risking their future," said Abdul-Nasser Ferwana, head of the Palestinian Detainees Committee.
The idea of the new Israeli law was raised after the IOF arrested the child Ahmad Manasra, 13, on October 12, after he purportedly attempted to stab an Israeli settler.
Extract forced confessions
Ferwana insisted that the law threats include getting forced confessions from the children at the hands of the Israeli interrogators.
A video released from the Israeli interrogation room showed Ahmad Manasra with three Israeli interrogators shouting at him and trying to force him to confess his accomplice in a stabbing attempt. Manasra repeatedly said, "I can't remember," but the interrogators managed to have them confess, without the presence of a lawyer.
The new law treats the children like adults, thus exposing them to long-term prison sentences.
Torture
"The Israeli authorities ill-treat the Palestinian children at a systematic large scale," commented Iyad Misk, attorney at Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP).
Misk pointed out that the reports DCIP collected between January and June, 2015, show that 86% of the Palestinian children prisoners in the Israeli jails were exposed to one or more forms of physical torture. This percentage is 10% higher than that of 2014.
The reports show that the Israeli interrogators threaten the children and keep them in solitary confinement to force them to confess. In addition, the children are mostly unaware of their rights.
According to Misk, the Israeli authorities exploit the emergency law, which allows the use of administrative detention policy in Jerusalem, for the first time since the year 2000.
9 jan 2016
The family of the Palestinian captive Mohammad al-Qiq, who has been on hunger strike for 47 days, affirmed the deterioration of Mohammad’s health condition at the Israeli hospital of Afula.
The family told the PIC reporter that they are concerned about the ongoing deterioration of his health condition and that they are afraid of losing him. He vomits blood and communicates with his lawyer by sign language since he has become speechless, the family underlined.
The family also revealed that their son met with his lawyer while he was chained to the hospital bed. He told his lawyer that he urinates blood and has become incapable to walk normally. His body is so thin and has a pale face, the lawyer said.
Prisoner Qiq resides in al-Khalil and was working as a correspondent for al-Majd news channel. He was arrested on November 25, 2015 and held under administrative detention with no charge or trial. Detainee Qiq waged a hunger strike in protest at being detained administratively merely for his professional background.
The family told the PIC reporter that they are concerned about the ongoing deterioration of his health condition and that they are afraid of losing him. He vomits blood and communicates with his lawyer by sign language since he has become speechless, the family underlined.
The family also revealed that their son met with his lawyer while he was chained to the hospital bed. He told his lawyer that he urinates blood and has become incapable to walk normally. His body is so thin and has a pale face, the lawyer said.
Prisoner Qiq resides in al-Khalil and was working as a correspondent for al-Majd news channel. He was arrested on November 25, 2015 and held under administrative detention with no charge or trial. Detainee Qiq waged a hunger strike in protest at being detained administratively merely for his professional background.
The Palestinian prisoner Shadi Mutawa, 28, has suspended his 25-day hunger strike after receiving Israeli promises to end his isolation in Megiddo prison and to be moved to Eshel jail.
During her visit to the prison, the lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) quoted Mutawa as saying that he suffered very poor detention conditions in Megiddo's solitary confinement cell, which made him declare a hunger strike for 25 days.
The solitary confinement was too small, dirty, with high-humidity conditions. "I was allowed only one mattress and one blanket despite the very cold weather", Mutawa said.
Mutawa told the lawyer that his hands and feet were tied during his detention and he was prevented to submit any complaint against his poor detention conditions.
The doctor, he continued, only visited me on my 24th day of hunger strike. "I lost 20 kg of my weight.”
Mutawa pointed out that the prisoner Hassan Shawka, from Bethlehem, has declared an open hunger strike after being transferred to Jalama prison.
Mutawa was arrested on Nov. 14 during the Israeli mass arrest campaigns in early October.
During her visit to the prison, the lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) quoted Mutawa as saying that he suffered very poor detention conditions in Megiddo's solitary confinement cell, which made him declare a hunger strike for 25 days.
The solitary confinement was too small, dirty, with high-humidity conditions. "I was allowed only one mattress and one blanket despite the very cold weather", Mutawa said.
Mutawa told the lawyer that his hands and feet were tied during his detention and he was prevented to submit any complaint against his poor detention conditions.
The doctor, he continued, only visited me on my 24th day of hunger strike. "I lost 20 kg of my weight.”
Mutawa pointed out that the prisoner Hassan Shawka, from Bethlehem, has declared an open hunger strike after being transferred to Jalama prison.
Mutawa was arrested on Nov. 14 during the Israeli mass arrest campaigns in early October.
Different Israeli news websites have revealed that the Shin Bet in cooperation with other Israeli security apparatuses arrested six Palestinians a few days ago accused of planning to assassinate premier Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
They claimed that the detained Palestinians were members of what they called "the Jerusalem military cell," who planned to assassinate Netanyahu by detonating a stage he would stand on to deliver a speech.
The cell was operating from Jerusalem and al-Khalil cities and had links to Hamas, according to the Israeli claims.
The detainees also admitted to planning to carry out other attacks against Israeli targets and to kidnap soldiers and settlers in order to swap them later for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
"The head of the cell is Maher Qawasmeh, a resident of al-Khalil. He was previously convicted for plotting an attack on Israelis on behalf of Hamas," one of the Hebrew website said.
They claimed that the detained Palestinians were members of what they called "the Jerusalem military cell," who planned to assassinate Netanyahu by detonating a stage he would stand on to deliver a speech.
The cell was operating from Jerusalem and al-Khalil cities and had links to Hamas, according to the Israeli claims.
The detainees also admitted to planning to carry out other attacks against Israeli targets and to kidnap soldiers and settlers in order to swap them later for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
"The head of the cell is Maher Qawasmeh, a resident of al-Khalil. He was previously convicted for plotting an attack on Israelis on behalf of Hamas," one of the Hebrew website said.
8 jan 2016
The District judge decided last week to transfer two Jerusalemite children to internal “rehabilitation” institutions after an indictment was submitted against them including charges of “attempt murder and possession of knives”; they were arrested on 31/12/2015 while walking in Street number 1 in Jerusalem.
Last week, a session was held for 12-year old Shadi Farrah and 12-year old Ahmad Za’tari at the District Court in Jerusalem and an incitement was submitted against them. The “social affairs” report to transfer them to an internal institution was also discussed.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud explained that the public prosecution submitted last Sunday an indictment to the District Court against the children Za’tari and Farrah and the judge decided to transfer Farrah to an internal institution in Beit Hanina while Za’tari was transferred to another institution in the city of Tamra in the “1948 lands”; note that both children are residents of the area of “Al-Matar north of Jerusalem.
Amjad Abu Asab, head of Jerusalemites detainees and prisoners families committee, explained that the occupation interrogated the children after they were arrested without the presence of their parents and without giving the children the chance to consult with a lawyer which is considered a major violation to the Israeli law as well as international law regarding the arrest of children.
Last week, a session was held for 12-year old Shadi Farrah and 12-year old Ahmad Za’tari at the District Court in Jerusalem and an incitement was submitted against them. The “social affairs” report to transfer them to an internal institution was also discussed.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud explained that the public prosecution submitted last Sunday an indictment to the District Court against the children Za’tari and Farrah and the judge decided to transfer Farrah to an internal institution in Beit Hanina while Za’tari was transferred to another institution in the city of Tamra in the “1948 lands”; note that both children are residents of the area of “Al-Matar north of Jerusalem.
Amjad Abu Asab, head of Jerusalemites detainees and prisoners families committee, explained that the occupation interrogated the children after they were arrested without the presence of their parents and without giving the children the chance to consult with a lawyer which is considered a major violation to the Israeli law as well as international law regarding the arrest of children.
The Magistrate judge extended on Friday the arrest of two minors from Silwan until next Monday.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud explained that the Magistrate judge extended the arrest of Mohammad Shweiki and Yousef Shweiki until next Monday on charges of “possession of knives”. During the court session, a prosecutor’s permit was presented in order to submit an indictment against the two minors.
The occupation forces had arrested both children from the area of Herod’s Gate under the pretext of “possession of knives”; the forces searched their houses and requested several family members for interrogation.
Lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud explained that the Magistrate judge extended the arrest of Mohammad Shweiki and Yousef Shweiki until next Monday on charges of “possession of knives”. During the court session, a prosecutor’s permit was presented in order to submit an indictment against the two minors.
The occupation forces had arrested both children from the area of Herod’s Gate under the pretext of “possession of knives”; the forces searched their houses and requested several family members for interrogation.
The family of Palestinian journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq has expressed its concern over his health condition and described it as very disturbing and deteriorating as a result of his hunger strike for more than 45 days.
The family explained in press remarks that al-Qeiq, who is shackled to a bed in an Israeli hospital, was unable to speak with his lawyer, who visited him recently, and used sign language to communicate with him.
According to the family, the journalist looked pale, fatigued and extremely weak, and was hardly able to open his eyes during his meeting with his lawyer.
The journalist also suffer from several health problems, including constant vomiting and blood in urine, the family added.
The family appealed to all concerned human rights groups to intervene and pressure the Israelis to release him immediately, affirming that al-Qeiq is in jail with no indictment or guilt.
Solidarity march in support of al-Qiq’s hunger strike
A solidarity march was organized Friday afternoon in support of the imprisoned journalist Mohamed al-Qiq, who has been on hunger strike for 45 consecutive days.
The march set off from the local mosque in Dura town, south of al-Khalil, towards the Municipality Headquarters amid large participation of local residents and national personalities, in addition to a number of Palestinian MPs.
The participants held photos of the hunger striker Mohamed al-Qiq, chanting slogans demanding his unconditional release.
Al-Qiq’s wife told the PIC reporter that similar solidarity marches and events will continue in the coming days till her husband’s release.
The family explained in press remarks that al-Qeiq, who is shackled to a bed in an Israeli hospital, was unable to speak with his lawyer, who visited him recently, and used sign language to communicate with him.
According to the family, the journalist looked pale, fatigued and extremely weak, and was hardly able to open his eyes during his meeting with his lawyer.
The journalist also suffer from several health problems, including constant vomiting and blood in urine, the family added.
The family appealed to all concerned human rights groups to intervene and pressure the Israelis to release him immediately, affirming that al-Qeiq is in jail with no indictment or guilt.
Solidarity march in support of al-Qiq’s hunger strike
A solidarity march was organized Friday afternoon in support of the imprisoned journalist Mohamed al-Qiq, who has been on hunger strike for 45 consecutive days.
The march set off from the local mosque in Dura town, south of al-Khalil, towards the Municipality Headquarters amid large participation of local residents and national personalities, in addition to a number of Palestinian MPs.
The participants held photos of the hunger striker Mohamed al-Qiq, chanting slogans demanding his unconditional release.
Al-Qiq’s wife told the PIC reporter that similar solidarity marches and events will continue in the coming days till her husband’s release.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested three Palestinians at dawn Friday and summoned another citizen for investigation.
Israeli media reports claimed that three Palestinian youths were arrested across occupied West Bank for being affiliated with Hamas Movement and involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Another man was summoned for investigation after IOF soldiers broke into his house in Deir Samet town, southwest of al-Khalil.
Local sources said that Yosri Haroub, 45, was brutally attacked when Israeli forces violently stormed and searched his house for more than two hours.
Israeli forces also raided overnight a local restaurant in Beit Jala town in Bethlehem, where they confiscated surveillance cameras installed in the restaurant.
During the raid, Israeli forces closed the northern entrance of the town.
On the other hand, Israeli forces stormed at dawn today different neighborhoods of Tulkarem city and erected a number of make-shift checkpoints. Several homes were also stormed and searched amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
In Jenin, several towns were raided west of the city where several homes were searched.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that local shops were also stormed during the raid, while make-shift checkpoints were erected in several areas.
Israeli media reports claimed that three Palestinian youths were arrested across occupied West Bank for being affiliated with Hamas Movement and involved in anti-occupation attacks.
Another man was summoned for investigation after IOF soldiers broke into his house in Deir Samet town, southwest of al-Khalil.
Local sources said that Yosri Haroub, 45, was brutally attacked when Israeli forces violently stormed and searched his house for more than two hours.
Israeli forces also raided overnight a local restaurant in Beit Jala town in Bethlehem, where they confiscated surveillance cameras installed in the restaurant.
During the raid, Israeli forces closed the northern entrance of the town.
On the other hand, Israeli forces stormed at dawn today different neighborhoods of Tulkarem city and erected a number of make-shift checkpoints. Several homes were also stormed and searched amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
In Jenin, several towns were raided west of the city where several homes were searched.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that local shops were also stormed during the raid, while make-shift checkpoints were erected in several areas.
