10 july 2015
Sharon Gal, Knesset member for the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, is scheduled to present a new bill to the Knesset on Sunday that would allow the execution of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
According to a report broadcast on the second Hebrew channel on Thursday, the proposed law raises many disagreements in the Israeli political arena.
The channel quoted Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Jewish Home Party, as saying that all the members of the parliamentary blocs would support the proposed law.
According to a report broadcast on the second Hebrew channel on Thursday, the proposed law raises many disagreements in the Israeli political arena.
The channel quoted Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Jewish Home Party, as saying that all the members of the parliamentary blocs would support the proposed law.
Palestinian prisoners decided to escalate their protest steps in all Israeli prisons in rejection to Israeli punitive measures, Prisoners Information Center said Thursday.
The center affirmed that the prisoners declared their intention to take protest steps just after the Eid al-Fitr protesting the Israeli punitive measures imposed on them for more than a year.
The prisoners expressed their total rejection to the continued Israeli sanctions that were brutally imposed on them following the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers in al-Khalil in June 2014.
The Israeli punitive measures include banning family visits to dozens of prisoners, decreasing the visit duration to a half-hour instead of 45 minutes, sending some of them to solitary confinement, and increasing night raids and strip search.
The center affirmed that the prisoners declared their intention to take protest steps just after the Eid al-Fitr protesting the Israeli punitive measures imposed on them for more than a year.
The prisoners expressed their total rejection to the continued Israeli sanctions that were brutally imposed on them following the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers in al-Khalil in June 2014.
The Israeli punitive measures include banning family visits to dozens of prisoners, decreasing the visit duration to a half-hour instead of 45 minutes, sending some of them to solitary confinement, and increasing night raids and strip search.
120 Palestinians were arrested in Gaza Strip since the beginning of year including minors, fishermen, traders, and a woman, a Palestinian rights group said.
The Palestine Center for Prisoners’ Studies revealed that Israeli forces kidnapped 120 Gazans since the start of 2015, representing an increase of 90% compared to the same period last year, where 70 arrests were reported from the Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the center Riyad Ashqar said that most of the reported arrests were carried out at the Israeli border checkpoints as Gazan residents are forced to cross through it for medical treatment or education purposes.
Four Palestinians were arrested at Bit Hnoun (Erez) checkpoint including a woman while on her way back from West Bank.
The center pointed out that 27 fishermen were kidnapped during the same period after the confiscation of their fishing boats while sailing off Gaza shores.
Since the beginning of 2015, 72 Gazan youths including minors were also arrested for approaching the border fence in an attempt to look for job opportunities in Israel in light of the high employment rates and economic crisis in the besieged strip.
The center documented the arrest of 20 Gazan traders at Israeli checkpoints despite obtaining travel permits.
Ashqar considered traders’ arrest as part of Israeli policy to restrict Palestinian economy and tightening the siege on Gaza.
The Palestine Center for Prisoners’ Studies revealed that Israeli forces kidnapped 120 Gazans since the start of 2015, representing an increase of 90% compared to the same period last year, where 70 arrests were reported from the Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the center Riyad Ashqar said that most of the reported arrests were carried out at the Israeli border checkpoints as Gazan residents are forced to cross through it for medical treatment or education purposes.
Four Palestinians were arrested at Bit Hnoun (Erez) checkpoint including a woman while on her way back from West Bank.
The center pointed out that 27 fishermen were kidnapped during the same period after the confiscation of their fishing boats while sailing off Gaza shores.
Since the beginning of 2015, 72 Gazan youths including minors were also arrested for approaching the border fence in an attempt to look for job opportunities in Israel in light of the high employment rates and economic crisis in the besieged strip.
The center documented the arrest of 20 Gazan traders at Israeli checkpoints despite obtaining travel permits.
Ashqar considered traders’ arrest as part of Israeli policy to restrict Palestinian economy and tightening the siege on Gaza.
The Israeli occupation army claimed Thursday night that a stabbing attack had been prevented in northern Occupied Jerusalem, where a Palestinian suspect was arrested after allegedly approaching a group of soldiers with a knife.
According to Israeli sources, border policemen saw a 17-year-old Palestinian youth approach at the Qalandiya checkpoint and called for him to stop without receiving a response. When the soldiers cocked their weapons, however, the suspect threw his knife to the ground and the officers chased him down and arrested him.
The arrestee was dragged by the Israeli soldiers to an unknown destination shortly afterwards pending further investigation into the incident.
On some occasions, Palestinians have been treated as suspects on fake evidence and either shot or arrested.
IOF arrests Palestinian boy at Qalandiya
Israeli media reported today that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian boy for after a stabbing incidence in north Jerusalem Thursday evening. The IOF announced yesterday that they had arrested the boy on suspicion that he intended to stab a number of Israeli soldiers.
According to the Israeli army broadcasting service, the armed forces arrested a child (17) after he raised a knife toward a group of soldiers at Qalandiya military checkpoint north of Jerusalem. The broadcast added “the boy has been transferred for investigation by the security forces.”
The Israeli security forces accused Hamas for “calling on people to attack Israeli targets” and for planning a number of them.
Jerusalem has witness a series of operations and attacks in the last few months by Palestinians on Israeli targets, leading in some cases to the killing and injury of several Israeli citizens.
According to Israeli sources, border policemen saw a 17-year-old Palestinian youth approach at the Qalandiya checkpoint and called for him to stop without receiving a response. When the soldiers cocked their weapons, however, the suspect threw his knife to the ground and the officers chased him down and arrested him.
The arrestee was dragged by the Israeli soldiers to an unknown destination shortly afterwards pending further investigation into the incident.
On some occasions, Palestinians have been treated as suspects on fake evidence and either shot or arrested.
IOF arrests Palestinian boy at Qalandiya
Israeli media reported today that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian boy for after a stabbing incidence in north Jerusalem Thursday evening. The IOF announced yesterday that they had arrested the boy on suspicion that he intended to stab a number of Israeli soldiers.
According to the Israeli army broadcasting service, the armed forces arrested a child (17) after he raised a knife toward a group of soldiers at Qalandiya military checkpoint north of Jerusalem. The broadcast added “the boy has been transferred for investigation by the security forces.”
The Israeli security forces accused Hamas for “calling on people to attack Israeli targets” and for planning a number of them.
Jerusalem has witness a series of operations and attacks in the last few months by Palestinians on Israeli targets, leading in some cases to the killing and injury of several Israeli citizens.
9 july 2015
An Israeli court in Jerusalem, Thursday, sentenced a Palestinian man to 18 months in prison over allegedly using the social media website Facebook as a mode of "incitement."
Misbah Sbeih Abu Sbeih, 38, was given a one year sentence as well as a six month suspended sentence for incitement, and his phone was confiscated as the tool used for the crime, according to head of the Jerusalem detainees families committee Amjad Abu Asab.
Abu Sbeih was detained by Israeli forces on Jan. 12, 2015, during a court hearing for his son Ezzedin. His sentencing comes as Palestinians are regularly detained by Israeli forces for posting on Facebook. On June 30, Israeli forces rearrested Tareq Qurd, 21, from his home in occupied East Jerusalem hours after he was released following a six-month detention for similar charges.
Qurd was one of eight Palestinians convicted of "incitement via Facebook" in December last year. Their indictment said that Israeli intelligence had monitored the men's Facebook postings since June 2014, after three Israeli settlers were kidnapped and killed in the occupied West Bank.
The intelligence said that their online comments had raised tensions across Jerusalem and encouraged acts of "terrorism."
They cited in particular postings on the murder of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir, who was kidnapped and killed by a group of Jewish extremists in July, as well as on a spate of Palestinian attacks on Israeli military and civilians that mostly took place in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israelis on social media routinely and openly incite violence against Palestinians, especially during heightened periods of tensions such as last summer's military offensive on Gaza, but none have yet faced prosecution. In recent months, the Palestinian Authority has also arrested Palestinians over postings on Facebook that have been critical of the PA and the Palestinian security services.
Misbah Sbeih Abu Sbeih, 38, was given a one year sentence as well as a six month suspended sentence for incitement, and his phone was confiscated as the tool used for the crime, according to head of the Jerusalem detainees families committee Amjad Abu Asab.
Abu Sbeih was detained by Israeli forces on Jan. 12, 2015, during a court hearing for his son Ezzedin. His sentencing comes as Palestinians are regularly detained by Israeli forces for posting on Facebook. On June 30, Israeli forces rearrested Tareq Qurd, 21, from his home in occupied East Jerusalem hours after he was released following a six-month detention for similar charges.
Qurd was one of eight Palestinians convicted of "incitement via Facebook" in December last year. Their indictment said that Israeli intelligence had monitored the men's Facebook postings since June 2014, after three Israeli settlers were kidnapped and killed in the occupied West Bank.
The intelligence said that their online comments had raised tensions across Jerusalem and encouraged acts of "terrorism."
They cited in particular postings on the murder of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir, who was kidnapped and killed by a group of Jewish extremists in July, as well as on a spate of Palestinian attacks on Israeli military and civilians that mostly took place in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israelis on social media routinely and openly incite violence against Palestinians, especially during heightened periods of tensions such as last summer's military offensive on Gaza, but none have yet faced prosecution. In recent months, the Palestinian Authority has also arrested Palestinians over postings on Facebook that have been critical of the PA and the Palestinian security services.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) released on Thursday the MP Nayef Rajoub, from al-Khalil, after being detained for a whole year in Israeli jails.
Shortly after his release, MP Rajoub was taken to Ramallah hospital to conduct medical tests.
Family sources told the PIC reporter that the IOA released MP Rajoub from Ofer prison after serving 12 months in administrative detention, pointing out that he suffers from several health problems.
He was detained in June 2014 during an Israeli large-scale arrest campaign that targeted dozens of Palestinian PMs and ex-prisoners.
MP Rajoub was detained more than once in Israeli jails, where he spent 10 years behind Israeli bars.
Shortly after his release, MP Rajoub was taken to Ramallah hospital to conduct medical tests.
Family sources told the PIC reporter that the IOA released MP Rajoub from Ofer prison after serving 12 months in administrative detention, pointing out that he suffers from several health problems.
He was detained in June 2014 during an Israeli large-scale arrest campaign that targeted dozens of Palestinian PMs and ex-prisoners.
MP Rajoub was detained more than once in Israeli jails, where he spent 10 years behind Israeli bars.
An Israeli legislation calling for a mandatory life sentence for kidnappers of occupation soldiers passed a preliminary vote in the Knesset Wednesday.
Israeli media outlets said a bill requesting that kidnappers of Israeli soldiers be sentenced with life in prison passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset, with a majority of MKs voting in favor.
The bill is due to be forwarded for approval in its second and third readings pending ultimate finalization.
The legislation pushed for imprisoning kidnappers of Israeli soldiers to life and also for banning their release in whatever swap deal expected to be struck with the captors.
The bill was proposed in light of the reported abduction of Israeli soldiers by Hamas resistance fighters. A state of frenzy has overwhelmed Israeli officials in an attempt to snuff out the flames of the rage fanned by such pieces of news.
Israeli media outlets said a bill requesting that kidnappers of Israeli soldiers be sentenced with life in prison passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset, with a majority of MKs voting in favor.
The bill is due to be forwarded for approval in its second and third readings pending ultimate finalization.
The legislation pushed for imprisoning kidnappers of Israeli soldiers to life and also for banning their release in whatever swap deal expected to be struck with the captors.
The bill was proposed in light of the reported abduction of Israeli soldiers by Hamas resistance fighters. A state of frenzy has overwhelmed Israeli officials in an attempt to snuff out the flames of the rage fanned by such pieces of news.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported, Thursday, that the Israeli Prison Authority in the Negev Detention camp, has moved a hunger striking detainee from solitary in the Detention Camp, into solitary confinement in the Eshil prison.
The PPS stated that detainee Omar Esteity, 24, started his hunger strike 22 days ago, protesting his arbitrary administrative detention, without charges or trial.
The detainee was kidnapped on November 17, 2014, and received several administrative detention orders.
The PPS said the Prison Authority frequently resorts to transferring striking detainees, and forcing them in solitary confinement, in an attempt to pressure them into ending their strikes.
In related news, head of the PPS Legal Unit, Lawyer Jawad Boulos, said the Prison Authority has moved detainee Khader Adnan from the Kaplan Medical Center to the Ramla prison clinic.
Adnan was moved to Kaplan medical center after suffering sharp pain in his stomach.
He held a 56-day hunger strike, protesting his continued Administrative Detention, and stopped his strike after Israel set his release date for July 12.
On July 1, detainee Nour Elayyan, from the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, near Ramallah, began a hunger strike to protest the renewal of his administrative detention.
Elayyan was arrested six months ago, and recently received a detention renewal order.
The PPS stated that detainee Omar Esteity, 24, started his hunger strike 22 days ago, protesting his arbitrary administrative detention, without charges or trial.
The detainee was kidnapped on November 17, 2014, and received several administrative detention orders.
The PPS said the Prison Authority frequently resorts to transferring striking detainees, and forcing them in solitary confinement, in an attempt to pressure them into ending their strikes.
In related news, head of the PPS Legal Unit, Lawyer Jawad Boulos, said the Prison Authority has moved detainee Khader Adnan from the Kaplan Medical Center to the Ramla prison clinic.
Adnan was moved to Kaplan medical center after suffering sharp pain in his stomach.
He held a 56-day hunger strike, protesting his continued Administrative Detention, and stopped his strike after Israel set his release date for July 12.
On July 1, detainee Nour Elayyan, from the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, near Ramallah, began a hunger strike to protest the renewal of his administrative detention.
Elayyan was arrested six months ago, and recently received a detention renewal order.
At least eight Palestinian civilians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday during predawn raids launched across cities of the West Bank.
Israeli sources said eight allegedly wanted Palestinians were detained in Ramallah, Kafr Aqab, al-Khalil, Abu Dis, and Bethlehem.
One of the arrestees was captured on account of affiliation with Hamas.
The captives were dragged to an unidentified destination pending further investigation into the alleged charges.
The Israeli occupation army chases down Palestinian citizens in the West Bank on a daily basis under the pretext they are wanted for involvement in anti-occupation activities.
Army Kidnaps Six Palestinians
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday at dawn, one Palestinian in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, two in Bethlehem, one in Jenin, and one in Jerusalem. Another Palestinian was kidnapped near Hebron, late on Wednesday.
Media sources in Nablus said the soldiers kidnapped Hamad Abu Omar, 26 years of age, after stopping him at the Shavei Shomron Roadblock, northwest of Nablus. Omar is from Borqa town, northwest of Nablus.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mo’tasem Nabil Shweiki, 22, after invading his home in the Saff Street, in the center of Bethlehem city.
A third Palestinian, identified as Omar Amer Odah, 23, was also kidnapped after the soldiers stormed his home, in ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem city.
In addition, soldiers stationed at a military roadblock, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, kidnapped a university student from Jalboun village, east of Jenin.
The Palestinian, Ayham Mahmoud Abu ar-Rob, 23, a college student studying to become a teacher, was stopped on a sudden roadblock near ‘Arraba town.
Furthermore, soldiers invaded Kafr ‘Aqeb neighborhood, isolated behind the Annexation Wall, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, kidnapped at least one Palestinian and searched several homes.
Soldiers also installed roadblocks and searched cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths.
On Wednesday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Rashid Walid Ekhlayyel, 20, from Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers cuffed Ekhlayyel, held him in their military tower on the main entrance of the town, and took him to an unknown destination.
Israeli sources said eight allegedly wanted Palestinians were detained in Ramallah, Kafr Aqab, al-Khalil, Abu Dis, and Bethlehem.
One of the arrestees was captured on account of affiliation with Hamas.
The captives were dragged to an unidentified destination pending further investigation into the alleged charges.
The Israeli occupation army chases down Palestinian citizens in the West Bank on a daily basis under the pretext they are wanted for involvement in anti-occupation activities.
Army Kidnaps Six Palestinians
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday at dawn, one Palestinian in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, two in Bethlehem, one in Jenin, and one in Jerusalem. Another Palestinian was kidnapped near Hebron, late on Wednesday.
Media sources in Nablus said the soldiers kidnapped Hamad Abu Omar, 26 years of age, after stopping him at the Shavei Shomron Roadblock, northwest of Nablus. Omar is from Borqa town, northwest of Nablus.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mo’tasem Nabil Shweiki, 22, after invading his home in the Saff Street, in the center of Bethlehem city.
A third Palestinian, identified as Omar Amer Odah, 23, was also kidnapped after the soldiers stormed his home, in ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem city.
In addition, soldiers stationed at a military roadblock, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, kidnapped a university student from Jalboun village, east of Jenin.
The Palestinian, Ayham Mahmoud Abu ar-Rob, 23, a college student studying to become a teacher, was stopped on a sudden roadblock near ‘Arraba town.
Furthermore, soldiers invaded Kafr ‘Aqeb neighborhood, isolated behind the Annexation Wall, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, kidnapped at least one Palestinian and searched several homes.
Soldiers also installed roadblocks and searched cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths.
On Wednesday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Rashid Walid Ekhlayyel, 20, from Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers cuffed Ekhlayyel, held him in their military tower on the main entrance of the town, and took him to an unknown destination.
Israeli courts in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday issued different arbitrary prison orders against a number of Palestinian young detainees from the holy city.
The district court approved several charges leveled against Mohamed Khuwais, 19, and sentenced him to 13 months in jail.
The same court will also sanction a ruling giving 22-year-old Amer Abbasi a 16-month prison term following a deal between the prisoner's lawyer and the Israeli prosecutor.
This prison sentence against Abbasi will be issued during a trial to be held in two months.
The magistrate's court, in turn, ordered the imprisonment of Anas Obeid, 22, for five months on a charge of his involvement in mosque activities.
Obeid is now in the Ramon prison where his elder brother Mohamed and his father Ahmed are also jailed.
The district court approved several charges leveled against Mohamed Khuwais, 19, and sentenced him to 13 months in jail.
The same court will also sanction a ruling giving 22-year-old Amer Abbasi a 16-month prison term following a deal between the prisoner's lawyer and the Israeli prosecutor.
This prison sentence against Abbasi will be issued during a trial to be held in two months.
The magistrate's court, in turn, ordered the imprisonment of Anas Obeid, 22, for five months on a charge of his involvement in mosque activities.
Obeid is now in the Ramon prison where his elder brother Mohamed and his father Ahmed are also jailed.
One day after he announced a protest hunger strike, Palestinian prisoner Abbas Assayed suspended it following a deal with his jailers.
The prisoner media center said that Israeli prison officials met with leading Hamas prisoners and pledged to transfer Assayed from the notorious jail of Hadarim and end all punitive measures against him.
Assayed, a prominent Hamas figure in Israeli jails, decided on Tuesday to go on open-ended hunger strike after the Israeli prison authority had reneged on earlier pledges to improve his incarceration conditions and transfer him to other jail.
The prisoner media center said that Israeli prison officials met with leading Hamas prisoners and pledged to transfer Assayed from the notorious jail of Hadarim and end all punitive measures against him.
Assayed, a prominent Hamas figure in Israeli jails, decided on Tuesday to go on open-ended hunger strike after the Israeli prison authority had reneged on earlier pledges to improve his incarceration conditions and transfer him to other jail.
8 july 2015
A plea bargain was concluded between the Israeli prosecution and the defense representatives of the Palestinian captive Hamza Matrouk, 23, sentencing him to 28 years imprisonment, according to Israeli media reports Wednesday.
Matrouk is charged with carrying out a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv in January 2015 which rendered twelve settlers wounded, the condition of three of them were described as critical. He is also charged with attempted murder, causing damage, and illegal residence in Tel Aviv.
The indictment claimed that after the Israeli war on Gaza last August Matrouk decided to carry out an operation to avenge the murder of Palestinian civilians at the hands of Israeli invading forces.
Matrouk is charged with carrying out a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv in January 2015 which rendered twelve settlers wounded, the condition of three of them were described as critical. He is also charged with attempted murder, causing damage, and illegal residence in Tel Aviv.
The indictment claimed that after the Israeli war on Gaza last August Matrouk decided to carry out an operation to avenge the murder of Palestinian civilians at the hands of Israeli invading forces.
Israel's Minister of Internal Security has said that his government will not allow Palestinian detainees to go on hunger strike. According to Gilad Ardenne, such action is to be regarded as a "suicide operation".
Ardenne made his comment as he attempted to justify the "force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners bill" which was approved in its first reading by the Israeli parliament on Sunday night. On its website, the Knesset said that the bill was passed by a small majority of 53 members to 50. The proposed legislation must be voted through a second and third time before it becomes law.
In an official written statement, a copy of which was sent to Anadolu by an Israeli police spokeswoman, it was explained that the purpose of this law is to provide "a proper balance between Israel's right to defend itself against the growth and the expansion of the hunger-striking prisoners phenomenon and its duty to deal with those who are under its control in a humane manner."
The statement added that "in accordance with the principles of Jewish law, the state has to take the responsibility for saving the lives of those on hunger striker in whatever way possible, even if that is against the hunger strikers' will, as it is prohibited for a human to harm himself."
A number of Palestinian prisoners have gone on hunger strikes in Israeli jails to protest against their detention, forcing the Israeli prison administration to respond to their demands.
Knesset Votes to Force Feed Hunger Strikers
Israeli politicians have voted to continue work on a bill to allow hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners to be force-fed. Those who oppose it have argued that this is meant to silence convicts through torture similar to the force-feeding in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.
On Monday night, the vote at the Knesset plenum passed with 53 in favor and 50 opposed. The controversial bill, which could be soon fast-tracked into law, would allow Israeli prisons commissioners to ask a court for an official permission to force-feed a prisoner when a doctor recommends doing so, should there be a risk of a grave deterioration in the prisoner’s health.
According to RT/Al Ray, the court, in its turn, will have to thoroughly analyze the mental state of the prisoner, the dangers of force-feeding via an enteral tube, as well as the prisoner’s postion on the matter, among other issues. If the request is given the green light by the court, the prisoner can be fed against his will, while a prison guard is allowed to resort to physical force to feed the prisoner.
The Israel Medical Association (IMA) has strongly opposed the controversial bill, who have said that “Force-feeding of hunger strikers is considered to be a form of torture,” along with the American Medical Association, the British Medical Association, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to name a few.
“A doctor will not participate in force-feeding a hunger striker,” IMA says adding that a hunger striker is“entitled to request a second medical opinion and is entitled to request that the second doctor will be responsible for his continued treatment. In the case of an incarcerated hunger striker, the matter will be coordinated with the prison doctor.”
Ardenne made his comment as he attempted to justify the "force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners bill" which was approved in its first reading by the Israeli parliament on Sunday night. On its website, the Knesset said that the bill was passed by a small majority of 53 members to 50. The proposed legislation must be voted through a second and third time before it becomes law.
In an official written statement, a copy of which was sent to Anadolu by an Israeli police spokeswoman, it was explained that the purpose of this law is to provide "a proper balance between Israel's right to defend itself against the growth and the expansion of the hunger-striking prisoners phenomenon and its duty to deal with those who are under its control in a humane manner."
The statement added that "in accordance with the principles of Jewish law, the state has to take the responsibility for saving the lives of those on hunger striker in whatever way possible, even if that is against the hunger strikers' will, as it is prohibited for a human to harm himself."
A number of Palestinian prisoners have gone on hunger strikes in Israeli jails to protest against their detention, forcing the Israeli prison administration to respond to their demands.
Knesset Votes to Force Feed Hunger Strikers
Israeli politicians have voted to continue work on a bill to allow hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners to be force-fed. Those who oppose it have argued that this is meant to silence convicts through torture similar to the force-feeding in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.
On Monday night, the vote at the Knesset plenum passed with 53 in favor and 50 opposed. The controversial bill, which could be soon fast-tracked into law, would allow Israeli prisons commissioners to ask a court for an official permission to force-feed a prisoner when a doctor recommends doing so, should there be a risk of a grave deterioration in the prisoner’s health.
According to RT/Al Ray, the court, in its turn, will have to thoroughly analyze the mental state of the prisoner, the dangers of force-feeding via an enteral tube, as well as the prisoner’s postion on the matter, among other issues. If the request is given the green light by the court, the prisoner can be fed against his will, while a prison guard is allowed to resort to physical force to feed the prisoner.
The Israel Medical Association (IMA) has strongly opposed the controversial bill, who have said that “Force-feeding of hunger strikers is considered to be a form of torture,” along with the American Medical Association, the British Medical Association, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to name a few.
“A doctor will not participate in force-feeding a hunger striker,” IMA says adding that a hunger striker is“entitled to request a second medical opinion and is entitled to request that the second doctor will be responsible for his continued treatment. In the case of an incarcerated hunger striker, the matter will be coordinated with the prison doctor.”
Extremist Israeli settlers yesterday chased down and assaulted 3 Palestinian workers on an-Anbiya Street in Jerusalem.
According to WAFA, witnesses described seeing a group of illegal settlers running after the workers before catching up with them and physically assaulting them.
Israeli police then arrived at the scene of the crime and did nothing to the perpetrators of the attack but rather arrested two victims of the assault. The third was transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment.
This latest assault comes hours after a 14-year-old Jerusalem Palestinian sustained an injury to his eye during a vicious attack by settlers.
A woman was also injured three days ago when extremist settlers attacked her and her family as they waited in traffic. The settlers threw stones at the car, which led to the woman passenger sustaining light injuries.
According to WAFA, witnesses described seeing a group of illegal settlers running after the workers before catching up with them and physically assaulting them.
Israeli police then arrived at the scene of the crime and did nothing to the perpetrators of the attack but rather arrested two victims of the assault. The third was transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment.
This latest assault comes hours after a 14-year-old Jerusalem Palestinian sustained an injury to his eye during a vicious attack by settlers.
A woman was also injured three days ago when extremist settlers attacked her and her family as they waited in traffic. The settlers threw stones at the car, which led to the woman passenger sustaining light injuries.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out at dawn Wednesday a large-scale raid campaign throughout West Bank. Ten Palestinians were kidnapped during the raid.
Israeli TV Channel Seven claimed that IOF arrested “ten wanted persons” in the West Bank, including nine suspects allegedly involved in attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers.
All of the suspects were transferred to Israeli investigation centers for questioning, the sources added.
On the other hand, five Palestinians were injured during an Israeli arrest campaign in al-Khalil to the south of occupied West Bank.
Local sources affirmed that IOF soldiers stormed the Old City and savagely attacked a group of youths, injuring five of them. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
Three arrests were reported during the campaign, the sources clarified.
IOF soldiers were deployed in large numbers in the neighboring areas, and detained two local youths after breaking into their homes.
Israeli TV Channel Seven claimed that IOF arrested “ten wanted persons” in the West Bank, including nine suspects allegedly involved in attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers.
All of the suspects were transferred to Israeli investigation centers for questioning, the sources added.
On the other hand, five Palestinians were injured during an Israeli arrest campaign in al-Khalil to the south of occupied West Bank.
Local sources affirmed that IOF soldiers stormed the Old City and savagely attacked a group of youths, injuring five of them. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
Three arrests were reported during the campaign, the sources clarified.
IOF soldiers were deployed in large numbers in the neighboring areas, and detained two local youths after breaking into their homes.
Palestinian prisoner Abbas Assayed, former head of the higher committee of Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails, has started an open-ended hunger strike in protest at his exposure to persistent ill-treatment by Israeli jailers.
According to lawyers, the Israeli prison authority has reneged several times on its pledges to improve the incarceration conditions of prisoner Assayed and transfer him from his isolation cell in Hadarim jail.
Assayed had gone on hunger strike in 2010 and 2012 to protest his difficult detention conditions and to pressure Israeli jailers to end the solitary confinement of all Palestinian prisoners.
He also went on hunger strike in 2014 in solidarity with the administrative detainees in Israeli jails.
According to lawyers, the Israeli prison authority has reneged several times on its pledges to improve the incarceration conditions of prisoner Assayed and transfer him from his isolation cell in Hadarim jail.
Assayed had gone on hunger strike in 2010 and 2012 to protest his difficult detention conditions and to pressure Israeli jailers to end the solitary confinement of all Palestinian prisoners.
He also went on hunger strike in 2014 in solidarity with the administrative detainees in Israeli jails.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported, Wednesday, that the Prison Administration of the Negev Israeli Detention Camp, forced a hunger striking detainee into solitary confinement.
The PPS said detainee Daoud Hamdan, from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, started his strike four days ago protesting his arbitrary Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
Hamdan was kidnapped on June, 3, 2014, and was placed under repeatedly renewed Administrative Detention orders.
The detainee was frequently kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending more than eight years in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including being held without charges for extended periods.
The PPS said detainee Daoud Hamdan, from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, started his strike four days ago protesting his arbitrary Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
Hamdan was kidnapped on June, 3, 2014, and was placed under repeatedly renewed Administrative Detention orders.
The detainee was frequently kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel, spending more than eight years in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including being held without charges for extended periods.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, earlier on Wednesday, five Palestinians in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, handed two others military warrants for interrogation, and also kidnapped one Palestinian in Bethlehem.
Several military vehicles invaded different parts of Hebron city, Beit ‘Awwa town, and the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, before the soldiers stormed a number of homes and searched them.
The soldiers kidnapped Hatem Nabil Juneidi and Yousef Rashed Juneidi, in Hebron city, and Mohammad Mahmoud Masalma, in Beit Awwa town, south of Hebron.
In al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Mahmoud al-‘Adarba, 16, and Mohammad Hasan Sharif, 18 years of age, in addition to summoning Yousef at-Teety, 18, and Mohammad Ibrahim Jawabra, for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military base.
In the Bethlehem, a number of Israeli military vehicles invaded Nahhalin town, west of the city, and kidnapped a young Palestinian identified as Abdul-Rahman Yousef Shakarna, 19 years of age.
The soldiers also handed Nassar Mohammad Najajra, 17 years of age, a military warrant for interrogation in the Etzion base.
On Tuesday evening, soldiers kidnapped one Palestinian in Hebron, and wounded two others after assaulting them.
Several military vehicles invaded different parts of Hebron city, Beit ‘Awwa town, and the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, before the soldiers stormed a number of homes and searched them.
The soldiers kidnapped Hatem Nabil Juneidi and Yousef Rashed Juneidi, in Hebron city, and Mohammad Mahmoud Masalma, in Beit Awwa town, south of Hebron.
In al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Mahmoud al-‘Adarba, 16, and Mohammad Hasan Sharif, 18 years of age, in addition to summoning Yousef at-Teety, 18, and Mohammad Ibrahim Jawabra, for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military base.
In the Bethlehem, a number of Israeli military vehicles invaded Nahhalin town, west of the city, and kidnapped a young Palestinian identified as Abdul-Rahman Yousef Shakarna, 19 years of age.
The soldiers also handed Nassar Mohammad Najajra, 17 years of age, a military warrant for interrogation in the Etzion base.
On Tuesday evening, soldiers kidnapped one Palestinian in Hebron, and wounded two others after assaulting them.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Tuesday evening, a Palestinian in the Old City of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and violently assaulted two others, causing various cuts and bruises.
Media sources in Hebron said several army vehicles invaded the Sahla neighborhood, in Hebron’s Old City, and kidnapped Mohammad Suleiman Abu Hadid, as he was heading back home just before evening prayers.
On Tuesday at night, soldiers assaulted two Palestinians in Tal Romeida neighborhood, in Hebron, causing various injuries that required hospitalization.
Medical sources said Emad Abu Shamsiyya, 16 years of age, and Anas Sharabati, 23, were moved to the ‘Alia Governmental Hospital.
Media sources in Hebron said several army vehicles invaded the Sahla neighborhood, in Hebron’s Old City, and kidnapped Mohammad Suleiman Abu Hadid, as he was heading back home just before evening prayers.
On Tuesday at night, soldiers assaulted two Palestinians in Tal Romeida neighborhood, in Hebron, causing various injuries that required hospitalization.
Medical sources said Emad Abu Shamsiyya, 16 years of age, and Anas Sharabati, 23, were moved to the ‘Alia Governmental Hospital.