20 june 2014
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, on Friday expressed concern over Israeli arrest operations in the occupied West Bank, as a mass campaign to detain Palestinians entered its eighth day.
"The Special Coordinator is deeply concerned by reports that Israeli security operations in the West Bank since the abduction of three Israeli students have resulted in over 300 Palestinians arrested, many injured, and three Palestinians killed, including one minor this morning."
Serry urged Israel for "restraint" and to carry out all security operations in compliance with international law and "respect for the lives, dignity and livelihoods of Palestinians."
"It should thus seek to minimize the impact of security operations on individuals who have committed no offense and investigate allegations of excessive use of force, including the killing of civilians."
Since last Friday, Israeli military forces have imposed severe restrictions on movement in the Hebron area, home to over 600,000 Palestinians, and have carried out daily arrest operations which have seen 330 Palestinians detained.
Three Palestinians have been killed, including a 14-year-old boy on Friday, as a wide spread search campaign for three missing Israelis has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank
"The Special Coordinator is deeply concerned by reports that Israeli security operations in the West Bank since the abduction of three Israeli students have resulted in over 300 Palestinians arrested, many injured, and three Palestinians killed, including one minor this morning."
Serry urged Israel for "restraint" and to carry out all security operations in compliance with international law and "respect for the lives, dignity and livelihoods of Palestinians."
"It should thus seek to minimize the impact of security operations on individuals who have committed no offense and investigate allegations of excessive use of force, including the killing of civilians."
Since last Friday, Israeli military forces have imposed severe restrictions on movement in the Hebron area, home to over 600,000 Palestinians, and have carried out daily arrest operations which have seen 330 Palestinians detained.
Three Palestinians have been killed, including a 14-year-old boy on Friday, as a wide spread search campaign for three missing Israelis has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank
The administrative detainee Ayman Atabish has continued his hunger strike for 113 days in a row protesting his illegal detention without trial or jail.
Atabish, sentenced for 6 months administratively, declared his determination to continue hunger strike despite Israeli pressures and assaults till meeting their demands.
Atabish’ family expressed deep concerns over their son’s life due to his heart problems where he may face death at any moment.
Ayman Atabish, from Dura town in al-Khalil, was previously detained in Israeli jails for five times during which he went on hunger strike for three times. He is currently held in Assaf Harofeh hospital suffering very difficult health deterioration.
A year ago, Atabish was engaged in a hunger strike for 105 consecutive days ended with an agreement that restricted his administrative detention, however; Israeli authorities have renewed his detention in violation to the agreement. As a response he resumed hunger strike 113 days ago.
Atabish has appealed against the court’ order to renew his administrative detention, however; his appeal was refused despite his poor health condition.
Atabish, sentenced for 6 months administratively, declared his determination to continue hunger strike despite Israeli pressures and assaults till meeting their demands.
Atabish’ family expressed deep concerns over their son’s life due to his heart problems where he may face death at any moment.
Ayman Atabish, from Dura town in al-Khalil, was previously detained in Israeli jails for five times during which he went on hunger strike for three times. He is currently held in Assaf Harofeh hospital suffering very difficult health deterioration.
A year ago, Atabish was engaged in a hunger strike for 105 consecutive days ended with an agreement that restricted his administrative detention, however; Israeli authorities have renewed his detention in violation to the agreement. As a response he resumed hunger strike 113 days ago.
Atabish has appealed against the court’ order to renew his administrative detention, however; his appeal was refused despite his poor health condition.
The Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli jails have been without food for 58 days running in protest at their illegal detention. Alarm bells have been raised over the hunger strikers’ health status as scores of them have been rushed to Israeli medical centers for urgent treatment.
Such an alarming situation coincides with an Israeli wave of mass arrests targeting Hamas leaders and supporters in the occupied West Bank. 350 citizens, at least, have been kidnapped since three Israeli soldiers disappeared.
An unprecedented upsurge in the number of administrative detainees have been documented as most of the captured Palestinians in the West Bank nowadays are administratively detained.
Such an alarming situation coincides with an Israeli wave of mass arrests targeting Hamas leaders and supporters in the occupied West Bank. 350 citizens, at least, have been kidnapped since three Israeli soldiers disappeared.
An unprecedented upsurge in the number of administrative detainees have been documented as most of the captured Palestinians in the West Bank nowadays are administratively detained.
Israeli forces detained 49 Palestinians overnight Thursday as a large-scale detention campaign continued in the occupied West Bank for the eight day.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israeli forces raided dozens of homes across the West Bank, with reports of assaults and theft.
In Duheisha refugee camp, Ashraf al-Jaidi was detained after being assaulted and knocked unconscious, with his family claiming that Israeli soldiers stole 2,000 shekels ($580) from his wallet.
Most of those detained were ex-prisoners released in a 2011 swap deal, PPS said, with 20 Palestinians detained in Nablus, 12 in Bethlehem, seven in Hebron, four in Jerusalem, two in Tulkarem, two in Salfit and one from Jenin.
An Israeli army spokesman said that 25 Palestinians were detained as soldiers searched 200 locations across the West Bank. Since the beginning of the operation, 330 Palestinians have been detained, 240 of whom are affiliated to Hamas, he added.
The Israeli military has engaged in a wide spread search campaign for three missing Israelis that has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank.
Hundreds of thousands of residents in Hebron and Nablus have been subject severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, while Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians since the operation began.
PPS released a list of the detainees' names:
The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israeli forces raided dozens of homes across the West Bank, with reports of assaults and theft.
In Duheisha refugee camp, Ashraf al-Jaidi was detained after being assaulted and knocked unconscious, with his family claiming that Israeli soldiers stole 2,000 shekels ($580) from his wallet.
Most of those detained were ex-prisoners released in a 2011 swap deal, PPS said, with 20 Palestinians detained in Nablus, 12 in Bethlehem, seven in Hebron, four in Jerusalem, two in Tulkarem, two in Salfit and one from Jenin.
An Israeli army spokesman said that 25 Palestinians were detained as soldiers searched 200 locations across the West Bank. Since the beginning of the operation, 330 Palestinians have been detained, 240 of whom are affiliated to Hamas, he added.
The Israeli military has engaged in a wide spread search campaign for three missing Israelis that has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank.
Hundreds of thousands of residents in Hebron and Nablus have been subject severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, while Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians since the operation began.
PPS released a list of the detainees' names:
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Nablus
1. Maaruf Aref Hanani. 2. Zahi Ahmad Jawhar Hanani. 3. Thair Younis Mleitat. 4. Aziz Ahmad Abu Heit. 5. Thair Badran Mleitat. 6. Muhsen Nasasra. 7. Omeir Taysir Hanani. 8. Taysir Hin Hanani. 9. Mahmoud Khader Khatatya. 10. Jawad Hajj Muhammad. 11. Hussein Muhammad Hamed Hanani. 12. Bassem Muhammad Mahmoud Hanani. 13. Mutasem Tawfik Nasrallah. 14. Nasser Muhammad Hamed Hanani. 15. Abdul Rahim Khaled Hajj Muhammad. 16. Mahmoud Muhammad Hanani. 17. Thair Muhammad Muhammad Hanani. 18. Imad Badee Khatayta. 19. Yasser al-Silawi. 20. Manar Mahmoud Mleitat. 21. Muhammad Abdul Rahman Alayan. |
Bethlehem
22. Marcel Zakut. 23. Nassim Zakut. 24. Muhammad Moussa Abu Ajamiya. 25. Iyad Rizq Arafah. 26. Bilal Ayyad. 27. Qusai Ayyad, 13. 28. Imad al-Barmil. 29. Shihab Mizher. 30. Amer Mizher. 31. Ashraf al-Jaidi. 32. Muhammad al-Sajdi. 33. Ahmad al-Sajdi. Hebron 34. Ayman Hussein al-Awawdah. 35. Ayman Jweiles. 36. Iyad al-Saheb. 37. Mutaz Zawahrah. 38. Youssef Sarsour. 39. Karam Amro. 40. Adel Idris. |
Jerusalem
41. Jihad Hmeidan. 42. Ziad al-Khdur. 43. Tareq al-Sheikh. 44. Ayman Abu Eid. Tulkarem 45. Muayad Jallad. 46. Nafith Thib Hassan Abu Obeid. Salfit 47. Izz al-Din al-Fattash. 48. Muhammad Hussein al-Harrim. Jenin 49. Muhammad Talal al-Saadi. |
Israel's public prosecution on Friday transferred seven Palestinian prisoners released in a 2011 swap deal to Haifa's central court for re-sentencing, a prisoners group said.
A lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners Society told Ma'an that a special committee in Haifa's central court on Friday cancelled the temporary parole order for seven prisoners released in the 2011 prisoners swap deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Alaa al-Din al-Bazyan, Rajab al-Tahhan, Ismail Hijazi, Nasser Abd Rabbu, Adnan Maragha, Ibrahim Mashaal and Jamal Abu Saleh will appear before the court on Friday.
The court will review violations of the prisoners' parole with the aim of reinstating their previous prison sentences, the lawyer added.
The seven ex-prisoners were detained on Wednesday after Israeli forces raided their homes in Jerusalem.
The 2011 deal traded Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas militants on the Gaza border in 2006, for 1,027 Palestinians and Palestinian-Israelis being held in Israeli jails.
The detention and retrial of the prisoners, however, is a breach of the deal possibly related to the ongoing Israeli search operation across the West Bank, and could potentially have wide-reaching consequences for other freed prisoners.
A lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners Society told Ma'an that a special committee in Haifa's central court on Friday cancelled the temporary parole order for seven prisoners released in the 2011 prisoners swap deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Alaa al-Din al-Bazyan, Rajab al-Tahhan, Ismail Hijazi, Nasser Abd Rabbu, Adnan Maragha, Ibrahim Mashaal and Jamal Abu Saleh will appear before the court on Friday.
The court will review violations of the prisoners' parole with the aim of reinstating their previous prison sentences, the lawyer added.
The seven ex-prisoners were detained on Wednesday after Israeli forces raided their homes in Jerusalem.
The 2011 deal traded Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas militants on the Gaza border in 2006, for 1,027 Palestinians and Palestinian-Israelis being held in Israeli jails.
The detention and retrial of the prisoners, however, is a breach of the deal possibly related to the ongoing Israeli search operation across the West Bank, and could potentially have wide-reaching consequences for other freed prisoners.
Israeli Prison Services have begun a series of punishments against more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons in response to the disappearance of three Israeli teens in Hebron last week.
A report by the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs said that Israeli Prisons Services have determined a series of new rules against Palestinian prisoners as punishment for the disappearance, with the approval of the Israeli minister of internal security.
The punishments include:
1. Allowing visits only once every two months for Hamas-affiliated prisoners, and possibly all prisoners.
2. Shutting the canteen and lowering the allowed amount of money from 1000 NIS ($290) a month to 400 ILS ($116).
3. Prisoners allowed to go out into the prison yard for an hour in the morning and an hour in evening, instead of eight hours, in addition to applying a search device at the gate of the yard.
4. Hamas-affiliated prisoners are not allowed to receive newspapers.
5. Hamas-affiliated prisoners are not allowed to watch TV.
6. Guards are allowed to search prisoners while they are in the prison yard.
7. Non-hunger striking prisoners are not allowed to interact with hunger-striking prisoners.
More than 5,300 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli jails. Of these, more than 200 are being held indefinitely without charge or trial as part of a procedure called administrative detention.
Around 125 prisoners have been on hunger strike for nearly 60 days in protest against their administrative detention.
A report by the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs said that Israeli Prisons Services have determined a series of new rules against Palestinian prisoners as punishment for the disappearance, with the approval of the Israeli minister of internal security.
The punishments include:
1. Allowing visits only once every two months for Hamas-affiliated prisoners, and possibly all prisoners.
2. Shutting the canteen and lowering the allowed amount of money from 1000 NIS ($290) a month to 400 ILS ($116).
3. Prisoners allowed to go out into the prison yard for an hour in the morning and an hour in evening, instead of eight hours, in addition to applying a search device at the gate of the yard.
4. Hamas-affiliated prisoners are not allowed to receive newspapers.
5. Hamas-affiliated prisoners are not allowed to watch TV.
6. Guards are allowed to search prisoners while they are in the prison yard.
7. Non-hunger striking prisoners are not allowed to interact with hunger-striking prisoners.
More than 5,300 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli jails. Of these, more than 200 are being held indefinitely without charge or trial as part of a procedure called administrative detention.
Around 125 prisoners have been on hunger strike for nearly 60 days in protest against their administrative detention.
A Palestinian citizen was rounded up by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Friday, while dozens of other civilians were wounded during Israeli violent raids in different areas of Bethlehem city. According to local sources in Bethlehem, the IOF kidnapped Palestinian ex-detainee Imad al-Bermil from his house in Duha area in Bethlehem.
Three Palestinian young men reportedly suffered injuries after being shot with rubber bullets during clashes with invading Israeli troops in Dheisheh camp, south of Bethlehem.
Another Israeli military force stormed Palestine university in Bethlehem, with no reported arrests.
332 Palestinians have been kidnapped so far since Israel started its arbitrary mass arrest campaign in the West Bank following the disappearance of three Jewish settlers on June 13.
Three Palestinian young men reportedly suffered injuries after being shot with rubber bullets during clashes with invading Israeli troops in Dheisheh camp, south of Bethlehem.
Another Israeli military force stormed Palestine university in Bethlehem, with no reported arrests.
332 Palestinians have been kidnapped so far since Israel started its arbitrary mass arrest campaign in the West Bank following the disappearance of three Jewish settlers on June 13.
West Bank Invasion Ongoing
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Friday at dawn June 20, 2014, Beit Forik town, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and detained at least 20 Palestinians during an extensive search campaign targeting scores of homes.
Shortly after midnight, the army initially imposed a strict siege on the town, before dozens of vehicles invaded it, and started the home invasions and searches that lasted for several hours.
Local reporters stated the soldiers rounded dozens of residents at a local school, and that the army was deliberately ransacking the homes while searching them.
The detained Palestinians were interrogated for several hours in the school; the army released some of the detained Palestinians, and kidnapped several others.
In addition, soldiers invaded various nearby villages and towns, and different neighborhoods in Nablus city, conducting nightlong invasions and searches for the fourth night in a row.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, soldiers kidnapped Omar Abul-Razeq, 55, who held the position of Finance Ministers of the tenth Palestinian Government that was formed in 2006, before Israel shunned it, and kidnapped dozens of ministers and legislators.
Abdul-Razeq teaches at the Najah University in Nablus, and was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel.
In Jenin, soldiers invaded the homes of Hamas-affiliated legislators, and the Arab American University, while a young man was shot during ensuing clashes.
The army also broke into the Islamic Block office on campus, ransacked it, and confiscated documents, and other materials.
They invaded the home of legislator Khaled Sa’id, in the Abu Dheir area, and the home of legislator Khaled Suleiman, in the Jaabriyyat area in the city.
One Palestinian was also shot in the leg by Israeli soldiers invading Jenin, and was moved to the Jenin Hospital.
The home of legislator Ibrahim Dahbour was also invaded in Arraba town, south of Jenin. The soldiers searched the property, and interrogated Dahbour for several hours.
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Friday at dawn June 20, 2014, Beit Forik town, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and detained at least 20 Palestinians during an extensive search campaign targeting scores of homes.
Shortly after midnight, the army initially imposed a strict siege on the town, before dozens of vehicles invaded it, and started the home invasions and searches that lasted for several hours.
Local reporters stated the soldiers rounded dozens of residents at a local school, and that the army was deliberately ransacking the homes while searching them.
The detained Palestinians were interrogated for several hours in the school; the army released some of the detained Palestinians, and kidnapped several others.
In addition, soldiers invaded various nearby villages and towns, and different neighborhoods in Nablus city, conducting nightlong invasions and searches for the fourth night in a row.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, soldiers kidnapped Omar Abul-Razeq, 55, who held the position of Finance Ministers of the tenth Palestinian Government that was formed in 2006, before Israel shunned it, and kidnapped dozens of ministers and legislators.
Abdul-Razeq teaches at the Najah University in Nablus, and was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel.
In Jenin, soldiers invaded the homes of Hamas-affiliated legislators, and the Arab American University, while a young man was shot during ensuing clashes.
The army also broke into the Islamic Block office on campus, ransacked it, and confiscated documents, and other materials.
They invaded the home of legislator Khaled Sa’id, in the Abu Dheir area, and the home of legislator Khaled Suleiman, in the Jaabriyyat area in the city.
One Palestinian was also shot in the leg by Israeli soldiers invading Jenin, and was moved to the Jenin Hospital.
The home of legislator Ibrahim Dahbour was also invaded in Arraba town, south of Jenin. The soldiers searched the property, and interrogated Dahbour for several hours.
Five Palestinians were injured and around 30 detained in Bethlehem's Duheisha refugee camp early Friday morning after clashes broke out when hundreds of Israeli soldiers stormed the area in a military raid early Friday.
Local sources said that approximately 1,000 Israeli soldiers encircled the camp and the nearby area of Al-Salam southwest of Bethlehem overnight Friday as part of a massive search operation being carried out for three Israeli youths who went missing last week.
During the raid, Israeli snipers deployed atop nearby buildings, while plainclothes special forces deployed in nearby streets including in the nearby al-Jebel area.
Medical sources said that Malek Mustafa al-Sharif, 22, was wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets during the clashes.
In addition, an Israeli military patrol vehicle ran over four youths from the camp, including Musa al-Khamour, 22, Hassan Mujahid Abu Joudah, and Marcel Mahmoud Zaghout, 19, who was arrested after he was struck in the head by the vehicle. The fourth injured individual was not identified.
Israeli forces detained 30 Palestinians during the raid including Bethlehem Mufti Sheikh Abd al-Majid Atallah and freed prisoner Aisa Abed Rabbo, who was released in October as part of a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in which 104 Palestinian prisoners detained prior to the 1994 Oslo Accords would be let go in exchange for the restart of peace talks.
The detainees were assembled and held in the courtyard of the nearby Palestine Ahliya University during the raid.
A number of detainees were held and then released shortly, including Khaled al-Seifi and Aisa Abed Rabbo.
Local sources said that approximately 1,000 Israeli soldiers encircled the camp and the nearby area of Al-Salam southwest of Bethlehem overnight Friday as part of a massive search operation being carried out for three Israeli youths who went missing last week.
During the raid, Israeli snipers deployed atop nearby buildings, while plainclothes special forces deployed in nearby streets including in the nearby al-Jebel area.
Medical sources said that Malek Mustafa al-Sharif, 22, was wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets during the clashes.
In addition, an Israeli military patrol vehicle ran over four youths from the camp, including Musa al-Khamour, 22, Hassan Mujahid Abu Joudah, and Marcel Mahmoud Zaghout, 19, who was arrested after he was struck in the head by the vehicle. The fourth injured individual was not identified.
Israeli forces detained 30 Palestinians during the raid including Bethlehem Mufti Sheikh Abd al-Majid Atallah and freed prisoner Aisa Abed Rabbo, who was released in October as part of a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in which 104 Palestinian prisoners detained prior to the 1994 Oslo Accords would be let go in exchange for the restart of peace talks.
The detainees were assembled and held in the courtyard of the nearby Palestine Ahliya University during the raid.
A number of detainees were held and then released shortly, including Khaled al-Seifi and Aisa Abed Rabbo.
Aisa Abed Rabbo.
In addition to the detainees, Israeli soldiers handed Muhammad Abd al-Karim Ayyad and Muhammad Amarnah orders to meet with Israeli intelligence at the Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem.
Additionally, Israeli forces stormed the nearby villages of Al-Louz and Artas during the raids, conducting house-to-house searches and combing farmland and open areas nearby.
Local sources in Artas estimated that 300 soldiers were present in the village during the raids.
Earlier on Friday morning, Israeli forces closed the Beit Jala DCO checkpoint near Bethlehem as well.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the raid, saying that they were a part of "searches for illegal weaponry."
The spokesman added that during the raid there was "rock throwing and hand grenades by instigators," and Israeli forces responded with "rubber bullets and live fire," identifying "three hits."
He added that 25 suspects were detained overnight in the whole region.
In addition to the detainees, Israeli soldiers handed Muhammad Abd al-Karim Ayyad and Muhammad Amarnah orders to meet with Israeli intelligence at the Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem.
Additionally, Israeli forces stormed the nearby villages of Al-Louz and Artas during the raids, conducting house-to-house searches and combing farmland and open areas nearby.
Local sources in Artas estimated that 300 soldiers were present in the village during the raids.
Earlier on Friday morning, Israeli forces closed the Beit Jala DCO checkpoint near Bethlehem as well.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the raid, saying that they were a part of "searches for illegal weaponry."
The spokesman added that during the raid there was "rock throwing and hand grenades by instigators," and Israeli forces responded with "rubber bullets and live fire," identifying "three hits."
He added that 25 suspects were detained overnight in the whole region.
Palestinian medical sources have reported that at least five Palestinians have been injured, one seriously, by Israeli soldiers invading the Deheishe refugee camp, in Bethlehem. The soldiers also kidnapped around 25 Palestinians.
The Maan News Agency has reported that hundreds of soldiers invaded the refugee camp, and kidnapped 25 Palestinians, including Issa Abed Rabbo, a former political prisoner who was recently released from an Israeli prison, and the Mufti of Bethlehem Abdul-Majid Atallah.
Soldiers invaded the al-Ahli University campus, searched it, and rounded all the kidnapped Palestinians there.
Maan said the soldiers invaded various neighborhoods at the edges of the camp, the Salaam neighborhood, and also invaded a number of neighborhoods in Bethlehem city, and several villages in the southern and eastern parts of the Bethlehem District.
It added that nearly a thousand Israeli soldiers are extensively deployed in the area, surrounding the refugee camp, the al-Ahli University, Palestinian agricultural lands in Khalayel al-Louz area, Mrah M’alla area, the Saff Street in Bethlehem, Doha town, and various communities in Bethlehem.
Several Israeli sharpshooters topped tall buildings around Deheishe, before the army started their home invasions, searches and arrests. Undercover soldiers were also seen in the area.
The army is also searching caves and farmlands in the area, while paratroopers were seen landing in Khalayel al-Louz, south of Bethlehem.
Sources in Ertas nearby village stated that around 300 soldiers invaded the village, and initiated a massive search campaign, targeting dozens of homes, and that the soldiers also topped a number of homes, using them as monitoring towers.
The army also placed sand hills closing the western entrance of the Beit Jala Housing Project, near the Talitha Kumi Evangelical Lutheran School.
Military helicopters were seen flying over the Bethlehem and Hebron Districts, while the soldiers continued their extensive invasions.
The Maan News Agency has reported that hundreds of soldiers invaded the refugee camp, and kidnapped 25 Palestinians, including Issa Abed Rabbo, a former political prisoner who was recently released from an Israeli prison, and the Mufti of Bethlehem Abdul-Majid Atallah.
Soldiers invaded the al-Ahli University campus, searched it, and rounded all the kidnapped Palestinians there.
Maan said the soldiers invaded various neighborhoods at the edges of the camp, the Salaam neighborhood, and also invaded a number of neighborhoods in Bethlehem city, and several villages in the southern and eastern parts of the Bethlehem District.
It added that nearly a thousand Israeli soldiers are extensively deployed in the area, surrounding the refugee camp, the al-Ahli University, Palestinian agricultural lands in Khalayel al-Louz area, Mrah M’alla area, the Saff Street in Bethlehem, Doha town, and various communities in Bethlehem.
Several Israeli sharpshooters topped tall buildings around Deheishe, before the army started their home invasions, searches and arrests. Undercover soldiers were also seen in the area.
The army is also searching caves and farmlands in the area, while paratroopers were seen landing in Khalayel al-Louz, south of Bethlehem.
Sources in Ertas nearby village stated that around 300 soldiers invaded the village, and initiated a massive search campaign, targeting dozens of homes, and that the soldiers also topped a number of homes, using them as monitoring towers.
The army also placed sand hills closing the western entrance of the Beit Jala Housing Project, near the Talitha Kumi Evangelical Lutheran School.
Military helicopters were seen flying over the Bethlehem and Hebron Districts, while the soldiers continued their extensive invasions.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers have kidnapped more than 300 Palestinians in the ongoing invasions, and massive arrest campaign, conducted by the army starting on Thursday evening June 12, 2014.
At least 52 former political prisoners, who were released under the Shalit Prisoner Swap deal in 2011, are among the Palestinians kidnapped during this ongoing Israeli invasion.
Soldiers also kidnapped eleven members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
Detailed data presented by the PPS, and the UFree Network (European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees), indicated the soldiers kidnapped:
105 Palestinians in the Hebron District.
52 in Nablus.
41 in Ramallah.
37 in Jenin.
16 in Tulkarem.
13 in Qalqilia.
12 in Bethlehem.
12 in Jerusalem.
6 in Tubas.
5 in Salfit.
1 in Jericho.
As part of the large-scale invasions and arrests campaign, starting last Thursday evening, the soldiers also kidnapped former Palestinians Ministers, Palestinian Members of the Legislative Council, university lecturers, students, and children.
Soldiers also kidnapped former political prisoners, including detainees who were engaged in hunger strikes when in Israeli jails, as part of Israel’s systematic collective punishment against the Palestinians, UFree has reported.
On Wednesday, June 18, soldiers kidnapped 69 Palestinians, including 50 former political prisoners, who were release under the Shalit Swap Agreement, reached under Egyptian mediation.
Also on Wednesday, the army kidnapped three elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
In total, the army kidnapped 13 Palestinians Members of Parliament (MP), and 2 former ministers, bringing the number of imprisoned MP’s to 24, in addition three former government ministers.
Most of them are held by Israel under arbitrary Administrative Detention orders, without charges or trial.
Imprisoned Members of Parliament:
1. Fateh leader, Marwan Barghouti, serving five life terms.
2. Secretary General of the Leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Saadat, serving 30 years imprisonment.
3. Ahmad Attoun – from occupied Jerusalem.
At least 52 former political prisoners, who were released under the Shalit Prisoner Swap deal in 2011, are among the Palestinians kidnapped during this ongoing Israeli invasion.
Soldiers also kidnapped eleven members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
Detailed data presented by the PPS, and the UFree Network (European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees), indicated the soldiers kidnapped:
105 Palestinians in the Hebron District.
52 in Nablus.
41 in Ramallah.
37 in Jenin.
16 in Tulkarem.
13 in Qalqilia.
12 in Bethlehem.
12 in Jerusalem.
6 in Tubas.
5 in Salfit.
1 in Jericho.
As part of the large-scale invasions and arrests campaign, starting last Thursday evening, the soldiers also kidnapped former Palestinians Ministers, Palestinian Members of the Legislative Council, university lecturers, students, and children.
Soldiers also kidnapped former political prisoners, including detainees who were engaged in hunger strikes when in Israeli jails, as part of Israel’s systematic collective punishment against the Palestinians, UFree has reported.
On Wednesday, June 18, soldiers kidnapped 69 Palestinians, including 50 former political prisoners, who were release under the Shalit Swap Agreement, reached under Egyptian mediation.
Also on Wednesday, the army kidnapped three elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
In total, the army kidnapped 13 Palestinians Members of Parliament (MP), and 2 former ministers, bringing the number of imprisoned MP’s to 24, in addition three former government ministers.
Most of them are held by Israel under arbitrary Administrative Detention orders, without charges or trial.
Imprisoned Members of Parliament:
1. Fateh leader, Marwan Barghouti, serving five life terms.
2. Secretary General of the Leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Saadat, serving 30 years imprisonment.
3. Ahmad Attoun – from occupied Jerusalem.
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Members of Parliament held in Administrative Detention – some holding hunger strike:
4. Dr. Mahmoud Ramahi 5. Abdul-Jaber Fuqaha. 6. Mohammed Jamal Natsha. 7. Hatem Kufaisheh. 8. Nizar Ramadan. 9. Mohammed Badr. 10. Mohammed Abu Teir. 11. Yasser Mansour. |
MPs kidnapped during the past two days:
12. Dr. Aziz Dweik, Head of the Palestinian Legislative Council. 13. Hassan Yousef. 14. Ahmed Totah. 15. Fadel Hamdan. 16. Abdul Rahman Zeidan. 17. Ibrahim Abu Salem. 18. Hosni Borini. 19. Azzam Salhab. 20. Bassem Zarir. 21. Samir Qadi. 22. Ayman Daraghma. 23. Ahmad Mubarak. 24. Ahmad Haj Ali. |
Kidnapped former Ministers:
1. Khaled Abu Arafa (Jerusalem Affairs minister). 2. Issa Al Jaba’ari (Minister of Local government). 3. Wasfi Kabaha (Palestinian Detainees and ex-detainees minister). |
Palestinian medical sources have reported that a Palestinian child was shot and killed by Israeli army fire, after dozens of soldiers invaded Doura town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, several Palestinians have been injured. The army also invaded Jenin.
The sources said that Jihad Mohammad Doudin, 14, was shot in the chest by several rounds of live ammunition, and died of his serious injuries shortly after being moved to the Hebron Hospital.
Clashes have also been reported during the invasion, and the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinians protesting the ongoing Israeli invasion.
Also in Hebron, soldiers kidnapped Sheikh Adel Edrees, the imam of a local mosque, Ayyoub Hasan Awawda and Karam Mahmoud Amro, from Doura, former political prisoner Yousef Sarsour, in addition to Eyad as-Saheb, and Ayman Jweiles from Hebron.
Dozens of soldiers also invaded the building of the Islamic Charitable Society and the Shiokh Charitable Society, in Hebron, confiscated files and computers, and caused excessive property damage.
Homes were also invaded, and searched, in different parts of Hebron, Kharsa village, and several nearby villages and towns.
In related news, soldiers invaded the campus of the Arab American University, in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and also invaded dozens of homes, before violently searching them.
Local sources said the soldiers held and interrogated dozens of students, campus guards and workers, and confiscated student files and documents. The invasion lasted for several hours.
Also in Jenin, soldiers shot and wounded Amir Sa’dy Saleh, 17, during clashes that took place after the army invaded Jenin.
Medical sources said Saleh suffered a moderate injury, and was moved to a local hospital.
The soldiers invaded, and violently searched, several homes in the Jenin district, including many homes belonging to Hamas members and supporters.
They also invaded the Jenin refugee camp, and Arraba town, and searched several homes, including the homes of legislators Ibrahim Dahbour, in Arraba, and Khaled Yahia in Jenin.
Troops fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition during the invasions, while one Palestinian was shot by a live round to the shoulder, in Jenin city.
The sources said that Jihad Mohammad Doudin, 14, was shot in the chest by several rounds of live ammunition, and died of his serious injuries shortly after being moved to the Hebron Hospital.
Clashes have also been reported during the invasion, and the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and concussion grenades at Palestinians protesting the ongoing Israeli invasion.
Also in Hebron, soldiers kidnapped Sheikh Adel Edrees, the imam of a local mosque, Ayyoub Hasan Awawda and Karam Mahmoud Amro, from Doura, former political prisoner Yousef Sarsour, in addition to Eyad as-Saheb, and Ayman Jweiles from Hebron.
Dozens of soldiers also invaded the building of the Islamic Charitable Society and the Shiokh Charitable Society, in Hebron, confiscated files and computers, and caused excessive property damage.
Homes were also invaded, and searched, in different parts of Hebron, Kharsa village, and several nearby villages and towns.
In related news, soldiers invaded the campus of the Arab American University, in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and also invaded dozens of homes, before violently searching them.
Local sources said the soldiers held and interrogated dozens of students, campus guards and workers, and confiscated student files and documents. The invasion lasted for several hours.
Also in Jenin, soldiers shot and wounded Amir Sa’dy Saleh, 17, during clashes that took place after the army invaded Jenin.
Medical sources said Saleh suffered a moderate injury, and was moved to a local hospital.
The soldiers invaded, and violently searched, several homes in the Jenin district, including many homes belonging to Hamas members and supporters.
They also invaded the Jenin refugee camp, and Arraba town, and searched several homes, including the homes of legislators Ibrahim Dahbour, in Arraba, and Khaled Yahia in Jenin.
Troops fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition during the invasions, while one Palestinian was shot by a live round to the shoulder, in Jenin city.
19 june 2014
The Hebrew media has said that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu gave the Shin Bet interrogators the green light to use prohibited torture techniques against Palestinian detainees. The Israeli laws allow the Shin Bet and Mossad to create a "ticking time bomb scenario" in order to use physical torture methods to extract information from prisoners.
Despite the exposure of Palestinian prisoners to systematic physical and psychological torture at the hands of their jailers, such Israeli measure means that other torture and pressure methods, like the ones used by the notorious US interrogators, could be employed against certain Palestinian detainees in order to extract information leading to the alleged captors of the three Jewish settlers in the West Bank.
Despite the exposure of Palestinian prisoners to systematic physical and psychological torture at the hands of their jailers, such Israeli measure means that other torture and pressure methods, like the ones used by the notorious US interrogators, could be employed against certain Palestinian detainees in order to extract information leading to the alleged captors of the three Jewish settlers in the West Bank.
The public prosecution submitted on Thursday an indictment against three young Jerusalemite men that included charges of throwing a cement stone at an Israeli policeman and severely injuring him.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the young men are: Mohammad Firawi, Ahmad Baraghith and Ibrahim Abu Sneineh; the judge extended their arrest until 26/05/2014.
According to the Israeli police, the policeman was injured during the march of “dancing flags” while he was in the Old City of Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the Magistrate court judge released the 14-year old child Ahmad Fayez Mahmoud with a 500-NIS bail and house arrest for 5 days; note that he was arrested on Wednesday.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the young men are: Mohammad Firawi, Ahmad Baraghith and Ibrahim Abu Sneineh; the judge extended their arrest until 26/05/2014.
According to the Israeli police, the policeman was injured during the march of “dancing flags” while he was in the Old City of Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the Magistrate court judge released the 14-year old child Ahmad Fayez Mahmoud with a 500-NIS bail and house arrest for 5 days; note that he was arrested on Wednesday.
24 liberated detainees who were released in 2011 during Shalit Swap Deal are currently held in Hawara detention center after being re-arrested by Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday, Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) revealed. Following his visit to Hawara detention center, PPS lawyer said that the liberated detainees called on Egypt as the mediator in the Shalit Swap Deal to intervene and put an end to the Israeli continued violations.
Along the same line, dozens of families of liberated detainees who were released during Shalit Swap Deal handed a letter to the Egyptian ambassador to Palestine, protesting their sons’ re-arrest in violation to the deal terms.
According to the PIC reporter, the families called in their letter on Egypt’s leadership to halt Israeli continued breaches to the agreement reached between Israeli authorities and Hamas movement under Egyptian mediation in 2011.
For his part, Undersecretary of Prisoners Affairs Ministry Ziad Abu Ein expressed his hope that Egyptian authorities would play a role in saving the liberated prisoners who were recently kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Abu Ein warned of the seriousness of Israeli arrests that may target all liberated prisoners who were released during the three prisoners release deals.
More than 50 liberated detainees were arrested on Wednesday as part of Israeli military campaign waged since the disappearance of three Israeli settlers last Thursday.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Committees (PLC) Akram Beyrem (Abu Mujahed) confirmed that a hysterical state has prevailed among Israeli military and security institutions following the abduction of the three settlers few days ago.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abu Mujahed said that Israeli escalated raid and arrest campaigns and attacks against Palestinians in al-Khalil and the West Bank will not succeed in undermining Palestinian people’s steadfastness and determination.
Palestinian resistance will not remain silent before the Israeli continued attacks and crimes, he said, stressing the resistance’s readiness to defend the Palestinian people and land.
Abu Mujahed concluded his statement calling on Egyptian authorities to stop Israeli arrests of liberated prisoners who were freed during Shalit Swap Deal reached in 2011 under Egyptian mediation especially that the Israeli occupation authorities declared their intention to deport some of them to Gaza.
Along the same line, dozens of families of liberated detainees who were released during Shalit Swap Deal handed a letter to the Egyptian ambassador to Palestine, protesting their sons’ re-arrest in violation to the deal terms.
According to the PIC reporter, the families called in their letter on Egypt’s leadership to halt Israeli continued breaches to the agreement reached between Israeli authorities and Hamas movement under Egyptian mediation in 2011.
For his part, Undersecretary of Prisoners Affairs Ministry Ziad Abu Ein expressed his hope that Egyptian authorities would play a role in saving the liberated prisoners who were recently kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Abu Ein warned of the seriousness of Israeli arrests that may target all liberated prisoners who were released during the three prisoners release deals.
More than 50 liberated detainees were arrested on Wednesday as part of Israeli military campaign waged since the disappearance of three Israeli settlers last Thursday.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Committees (PLC) Akram Beyrem (Abu Mujahed) confirmed that a hysterical state has prevailed among Israeli military and security institutions following the abduction of the three settlers few days ago.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abu Mujahed said that Israeli escalated raid and arrest campaigns and attacks against Palestinians in al-Khalil and the West Bank will not succeed in undermining Palestinian people’s steadfastness and determination.
Palestinian resistance will not remain silent before the Israeli continued attacks and crimes, he said, stressing the resistance’s readiness to defend the Palestinian people and land.
Abu Mujahed concluded his statement calling on Egyptian authorities to stop Israeli arrests of liberated prisoners who were freed during Shalit Swap Deal reached in 2011 under Egyptian mediation especially that the Israeli occupation authorities declared their intention to deport some of them to Gaza.
Omar Sa'ad, who served seven sentences in prison for refusing to serve in the Israeli army, has finally been released from military service. Omar writes of his time in prison, and of the people throughout the world who supported his struggle.
Prison warden! I am a free and you are in captivity…
Brothers and sisters, friends and my beloved family,
On the 25th of October 2013 I sent a letter to the Israeli prime minister and defence minister, declaring my refusal to be recruited into the Israeli army, by the imposed law requiring military service by the Druze community, for reasons of conscience and patriotism. And I refuse to be part of this Israeli army and body that killed and displaced my Palestinian people, demolished our homes, robbed our land, and I repeated my slogan again and again: "I will not be the fuel of your war and will not be a soldier in your army."
This message was spread around the world and met with great interest by the media, as well as with universal support, in addition to attacks by some quarters and a news blackout in the Israeli media, with the determination of the Israeli military authorities to ignore my humanity as they insisted on recruiting me. They sent me the date of recruitment: 4 December 2013.
And on the recruitment command date (196 days ago) you, my comrades and partners, accompanied me , body and soul, to the recruiting office in Tiberias, where I began my battle against being recruited into the Israeli army, hoping to obtain a certificate of exemption from Israeli military service, preferring prison to taking up arms against my Palestinian people.
I was not surprised by their order to put me in prison, and they imprisoned me again and again, trying to break my spirit and change my decision, until they reached a point where they tried to kill me by not providing me with the necessary medical treatment while I was in dire need of it, but to no avail, and I reached the hospital at the last minute between life and death.
I was sentenced 7 times for a total period of 150 days, with 46 days between home and hospital, and every time before sending me out to prison they asked me the same question: "Why you refuse to serve in the IDF?? For some reason called the "army of defence."
My answer was always the same: "I refuse because I am an integral part of the Palestinian Arab people. I refuse because your army is an army of occupation. I refuse because I am the owner of principle and conscience. I make peace with my musical instrument, and I refuse to replace it with a weapon that generates death and does not differentiate between a child, woman, man and an old man. So how can you ask me to kill, occupy and arrest my people? My weapon is my musical instrument and it will not be replaced by any another weapon."
My brothers and sisters
During the period when I was in prison I touched and was so affected by your great support. I was touched by the children - musicians who raised slogans and pictures, along with their musical instruments, demanding my freedom. I was touched by each word and article and comment you all sent via social network/ media.
I was touched by the embrace of all forces of peace and democracy in the world and in our country. Affected by the logos and drawing I received. Affected to see children, youth and elders standing on the Mountain of Prisoners (a name given by the demonstrators to a hill overlooking the Atlit military prison). This name was given in a demonstration demanding my release and the release of all those who refuse to serve for reasons of conscience). They were chanting against the occupation and sang for joy and peace.
I was also affected by the honour I received from the Palestinian freedom fighters and prisoners, while they are the ones to be honoured. They are the light and brightness that each freedom demands.
I was overwhelmed by the love of my people in our besieged country - Palestine.
I was affected when I found Jewish students who call for freedom and justice, demonstrating in support of my case and chanting against Israeli occupation.
I was imprisoned, and today I know the meaning putting a person in prison without any right, because he believes in a just cause.
Today I know what administrative detention is. This arrest that disables all foundations of democracy and justice, and for which any democratic or man of law should answer: What does it mean to detain a person and renew this detention without showing reasons for the detention, without any charge, and without having the right to prosecute or defend himself? Is this not precisely the work of obscurantism systems? Is this not the approach dictatorships?
Today, I join all the honourable forces in the world: freed captives, the administrative detainees who are on a legendary hunger strike, preferring death to humiliation. We do not want to receive them as martyrs. Peace cannot be achieved if we have one freedom fighter inside prison, as there can be no peace while the killing machine is continuing to reap the youth. You cannot achieve peace as settlements are built and deployed as a cancer which will eliminate any possibility to live.
In prison I had some time to read and rejoiced to read the novel The Time of White Horses by the very well-known writer Ibrahim Nasrallah, and the novel Algshawh by the uncle of a friend from the Mughar village, Radi Shehadeh, that taught me about the reality of Palestine and the meaning of how to dance between the rain drops and what it means to be a Palestinian par excellence. These novels taught me how to kill time in useful ways and gave me strength.
My brothers and sisters
I do not have the space to mention all those who supported me and stood by my side, but let me mention in particular the Initiative Committee of Arab Druze, my school and my home.
Let me mention the author Mohammed Nafa and the poets Sameh Al Qasem and Nayef Salim, the martyr Assem al-Khatib and the late Sheikh Farhood Farhood and all the brothers who refuse to serve in the Israeli army. I hope we do not stop at the small things, but to work on writing our honourable history.
Let me thank New Profile for its moral and legal support and lawyer Rowan Aghbarieh, who made great efforts in spite of the obstacles, such as banning her from visiting me, as well as the lawyers from the Office of Attorney Smadar Ben-Natan, the intern Adi Lerner and lawyer Michael Sfard, whom we consulted on different legal topics. And my gratitude goes to Adalah and Amnesty and all human rights organizations that stood by my side.
My thanks goes to the Yesh Gvul movement and all organizations and political parties that demonstrated and released statements to support my release, and special mention goes to the Communist Youth and the Democratic Front.
Special thanks to all the local and foreign media which covered my case.
I thank the members of Parliament who supported my case from all over the world and in our region.
And last but not least, thanks to those who refused to serve in the Israeli army, all who have preceded me and who were with me and those who will come after me, from whom I have learned the meaning of patience and struggle.
Thank you all and I wish I will not disappoint you and can give you back some of your kindness, your love and your sympathy and generosity.
Omar Sa'ad
Prison warden! I am a free and you are in captivity…
Brothers and sisters, friends and my beloved family,
On the 25th of October 2013 I sent a letter to the Israeli prime minister and defence minister, declaring my refusal to be recruited into the Israeli army, by the imposed law requiring military service by the Druze community, for reasons of conscience and patriotism. And I refuse to be part of this Israeli army and body that killed and displaced my Palestinian people, demolished our homes, robbed our land, and I repeated my slogan again and again: "I will not be the fuel of your war and will not be a soldier in your army."
This message was spread around the world and met with great interest by the media, as well as with universal support, in addition to attacks by some quarters and a news blackout in the Israeli media, with the determination of the Israeli military authorities to ignore my humanity as they insisted on recruiting me. They sent me the date of recruitment: 4 December 2013.
And on the recruitment command date (196 days ago) you, my comrades and partners, accompanied me , body and soul, to the recruiting office in Tiberias, where I began my battle against being recruited into the Israeli army, hoping to obtain a certificate of exemption from Israeli military service, preferring prison to taking up arms against my Palestinian people.
I was not surprised by their order to put me in prison, and they imprisoned me again and again, trying to break my spirit and change my decision, until they reached a point where they tried to kill me by not providing me with the necessary medical treatment while I was in dire need of it, but to no avail, and I reached the hospital at the last minute between life and death.
I was sentenced 7 times for a total period of 150 days, with 46 days between home and hospital, and every time before sending me out to prison they asked me the same question: "Why you refuse to serve in the IDF?? For some reason called the "army of defence."
My answer was always the same: "I refuse because I am an integral part of the Palestinian Arab people. I refuse because your army is an army of occupation. I refuse because I am the owner of principle and conscience. I make peace with my musical instrument, and I refuse to replace it with a weapon that generates death and does not differentiate between a child, woman, man and an old man. So how can you ask me to kill, occupy and arrest my people? My weapon is my musical instrument and it will not be replaced by any another weapon."
My brothers and sisters
During the period when I was in prison I touched and was so affected by your great support. I was touched by the children - musicians who raised slogans and pictures, along with their musical instruments, demanding my freedom. I was touched by each word and article and comment you all sent via social network/ media.
I was touched by the embrace of all forces of peace and democracy in the world and in our country. Affected by the logos and drawing I received. Affected to see children, youth and elders standing on the Mountain of Prisoners (a name given by the demonstrators to a hill overlooking the Atlit military prison). This name was given in a demonstration demanding my release and the release of all those who refuse to serve for reasons of conscience). They were chanting against the occupation and sang for joy and peace.
I was also affected by the honour I received from the Palestinian freedom fighters and prisoners, while they are the ones to be honoured. They are the light and brightness that each freedom demands.
I was overwhelmed by the love of my people in our besieged country - Palestine.
I was affected when I found Jewish students who call for freedom and justice, demonstrating in support of my case and chanting against Israeli occupation.
I was imprisoned, and today I know the meaning putting a person in prison without any right, because he believes in a just cause.
Today I know what administrative detention is. This arrest that disables all foundations of democracy and justice, and for which any democratic or man of law should answer: What does it mean to detain a person and renew this detention without showing reasons for the detention, without any charge, and without having the right to prosecute or defend himself? Is this not precisely the work of obscurantism systems? Is this not the approach dictatorships?
Today, I join all the honourable forces in the world: freed captives, the administrative detainees who are on a legendary hunger strike, preferring death to humiliation. We do not want to receive them as martyrs. Peace cannot be achieved if we have one freedom fighter inside prison, as there can be no peace while the killing machine is continuing to reap the youth. You cannot achieve peace as settlements are built and deployed as a cancer which will eliminate any possibility to live.
In prison I had some time to read and rejoiced to read the novel The Time of White Horses by the very well-known writer Ibrahim Nasrallah, and the novel Algshawh by the uncle of a friend from the Mughar village, Radi Shehadeh, that taught me about the reality of Palestine and the meaning of how to dance between the rain drops and what it means to be a Palestinian par excellence. These novels taught me how to kill time in useful ways and gave me strength.
My brothers and sisters
I do not have the space to mention all those who supported me and stood by my side, but let me mention in particular the Initiative Committee of Arab Druze, my school and my home.
Let me mention the author Mohammed Nafa and the poets Sameh Al Qasem and Nayef Salim, the martyr Assem al-Khatib and the late Sheikh Farhood Farhood and all the brothers who refuse to serve in the Israeli army. I hope we do not stop at the small things, but to work on writing our honourable history.
Let me thank New Profile for its moral and legal support and lawyer Rowan Aghbarieh, who made great efforts in spite of the obstacles, such as banning her from visiting me, as well as the lawyers from the Office of Attorney Smadar Ben-Natan, the intern Adi Lerner and lawyer Michael Sfard, whom we consulted on different legal topics. And my gratitude goes to Adalah and Amnesty and all human rights organizations that stood by my side.
My thanks goes to the Yesh Gvul movement and all organizations and political parties that demonstrated and released statements to support my release, and special mention goes to the Communist Youth and the Democratic Front.
Special thanks to all the local and foreign media which covered my case.
I thank the members of Parliament who supported my case from all over the world and in our region.
And last but not least, thanks to those who refused to serve in the Israeli army, all who have preceded me and who were with me and those who will come after me, from whom I have learned the meaning of patience and struggle.
Thank you all and I wish I will not disappoint you and can give you back some of your kindness, your love and your sympathy and generosity.
Omar Sa'ad
The Jerusalem central court sentenced Alia al-Sheikh Ali Abbasi, 49, from Silwan, to 40 months in prison for attempting to stab an Israeli soldier in 2012.
Head of the Prisoners' Families Committee Amjad Abu Asab said that Abbasi was detained on Jan. 2, 2012 at the Shuafat refugee camp checkpoint and was transferred to house arrest on Feb. 22, 2012.
Abbasi is a mother of six, among which is a prisoner in Israeli jails Issa Daoud Abbasi, who was previously sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and has been in jail since 2010.
Abbasi will turn in herself on Aug. 3, 2014.
Silwan is a Palestinian village in East Jerusalem whose residents have Jerusalem residency cards but are not Israeli citizens, despite living under Israeli law.
Shuafat refugee camp, despite falling inside the Jerusalem city limits, is cut off from the rest of the city by the Israeli separation wall and a number of Jewish settlements.
Head of the Prisoners' Families Committee Amjad Abu Asab said that Abbasi was detained on Jan. 2, 2012 at the Shuafat refugee camp checkpoint and was transferred to house arrest on Feb. 22, 2012.
Abbasi is a mother of six, among which is a prisoner in Israeli jails Issa Daoud Abbasi, who was previously sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and has been in jail since 2010.
Abbasi will turn in herself on Aug. 3, 2014.
Silwan is a Palestinian village in East Jerusalem whose residents have Jerusalem residency cards but are not Israeli citizens, despite living under Israeli law.
Shuafat refugee camp, despite falling inside the Jerusalem city limits, is cut off from the rest of the city by the Israeli separation wall and a number of Jewish settlements.
The legal counselor for Israel's internal security ministry, Yoel Idar, said Wednesday that Israeli doctors can “drug” administrative hunger-striking prisoners and force-feed them.
A Knesset member told Ma'an that the legal counselor suggested, during a session for the committee in the Knesset, the possibility of drugging the hunger-strikers so doctors could force-feed them.
The MK, Ahmad Tibi, said the meeting discussed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s law of force-feeding the prisoners on hunger strike.
Tibi responded to the legal counselor by saying that “force-feeding is dangerous and threatens the lives of the hunger-strikers and it offends their dignity.”
He pointed out that there will be a vote on the force-feeding decision next Monday.
A Knesset member told Ma'an that the legal counselor suggested, during a session for the committee in the Knesset, the possibility of drugging the hunger-strikers so doctors could force-feed them.
The MK, Ahmad Tibi, said the meeting discussed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s law of force-feeding the prisoners on hunger strike.
Tibi responded to the legal counselor by saying that “force-feeding is dangerous and threatens the lives of the hunger-strikers and it offends their dignity.”
He pointed out that there will be a vote on the force-feeding decision next Monday.
A senior Hamas official said Thursday that the group is capable of starting an Intifada, warning of the consequences of continuing pressure on Palestinians.
"We are capable of igniting a third Intifada which is an irrevocable right that will go off when more pressure is exerted on the Palestinian people," Hamas official Salah Bardawil said during a solidarity rally for the director of al-Aqsa TV network, who was detained in Ramallah on Wednesday.
Hamas will not sit on its hands as Israel "continues with its crimes in the West Bank," he added.
Israel's ongoing arrest campaign aims to break the resistance and prevent a new Intifada, he said, adding that "nobody can foil reconciliation because our people insist on unity and on liberating land and prisoners."
Over the past six days, Israeli troops have turned properties upside-down and arrested more than 240 Palestinians in the West Bank in the search for three Israelis who disappeared while hitchhiking on Thursday.
Over 200 of those arrested are affiliated with Hamas.
"We are capable of igniting a third Intifada which is an irrevocable right that will go off when more pressure is exerted on the Palestinian people," Hamas official Salah Bardawil said during a solidarity rally for the director of al-Aqsa TV network, who was detained in Ramallah on Wednesday.
Hamas will not sit on its hands as Israel "continues with its crimes in the West Bank," he added.
Israel's ongoing arrest campaign aims to break the resistance and prevent a new Intifada, he said, adding that "nobody can foil reconciliation because our people insist on unity and on liberating land and prisoners."
Over the past six days, Israeli troops have turned properties upside-down and arrested more than 240 Palestinians in the West Bank in the search for three Israelis who disappeared while hitchhiking on Thursday.
Over 200 of those arrested are affiliated with Hamas.
Israel's Ofer military court on Thursday sentenced 29 Palestinians to administrative detention, the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs said.
The sentences, which range from four to six months, were handed down to Palestinians arrested since Israel initiated a mass detention campaign across the West Bank last week following the suspected kidnapping of three Israeli youths.
Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs said that Ofer Israeli court confirmed administrative detention for 29 prisoners.
The ministry released a list of their names:
The sentences, which range from four to six months, were handed down to Palestinians arrested since Israel initiated a mass detention campaign across the West Bank last week following the suspected kidnapping of three Israeli youths.
Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs said that Ofer Israeli court confirmed administrative detention for 29 prisoners.
The ministry released a list of their names:
|
1. Muhannad Ahmad Muhammed Hawamdah
2. Hazem Abdel Maymoum Mahmoud Sharabati 3. Adib Muhammed/Shafiq Abdel Qader Qawasmeh 4. Ali Muhammed Mahmoud Hmeidat 5. Amro Diab Suleiman Suleiman 6. Ahmad Youssef Ahmad Awwad 7. Iyad Saleh Abdel Fattah Qawasmeh 8. Marwan Saber Awad Muhra 9. Alaa al-Din Hamdan Abdulkarim Abu Khader |
10. Adib Farid Abdel Rahman Wahdan
11. Hassan Zahi Asaad Safri 12. Mahmoud Muhammad Jamil Youssif Inayah 13. Usama Muhammed Salim Shalabi 14. Hussam al-Din Ahmad Abdel Fattah Hour 15. Rami Assem Taher Suleiman 16. Muhsen Abdullah Muhsen Atawneh 17. Shadi Muhammed Abdel Razzaq Shihada 18. Shaker Nael Shaker Ishnyor 19. Muhammed Ahmad Rashed Harzallah |
20. Usama Hussein Youssef Shahin
21. Ali Taqi Tawfiq Taqi 22. Anas Amir Abdel Aziz Rasras 23. Wasfi Izzat Hassan Mustafa/Kabha 24. Zahi Zuheir Ibrahim Koussa 25. Tahsin Saleh Salim Jaaba 26. Sufian ahmad salim Steiti 27. Ahmad Muhammed Ahmad Abu Aadi 28. Bahaa al-Din Ahmad Abdel Ghani al-Said 29. Shadi Muhammed Yusri Rateb |
Israeli naval gunboats arrested Thursday afternoon two Palestinian fishermen off the northern Gaza Strip coast. The Israeli security forces at Beit Hanoun "Erez" crossing arrested a Palestinian patient,Basim Ali Tbeis, 42, while traveling to receive medical care.
The Israeli occupation forces routinely attack Gazan fishermen and their fishing boats which coincided with the Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip. Israel imposes wide restrictions on the Gaza fishing zone , deprives Palestinian fishers from the right of access to the fishery resources , putting their life at risk.
The Israeli occupation forces routinely attack Gazan fishermen and their fishing boats which coincided with the Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip. Israel imposes wide restrictions on the Gaza fishing zone , deprives Palestinian fishers from the right of access to the fishery resources , putting their life at risk.
Israeli forces detained 30 Palestinians in the Hebron district overnight Wednesday as a search for three missing Israelis continues for the seventh day.
In an ongoing military crackdown in Hebron, Israeli forces raided homes and charitable organizations, detaining 30 men.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli troops detained 62-year-old Mustafa Shawar, 64-year-old Rimsi Difish, 46-year-old Wajih Abu Hadid, Raed Hmeidan Sharabati, Qidar Ramadan Gheith, Ali Dofish, Ahmad Muhammad al-Uweiwi, Sheikh Jihad Shabanah, Sheikh Anwar Harb and Muhammad Bassam al-Zeir.
Soldiers also raided the public transportation lot of Hebron's municipality and confiscated surveillance cameras.
In al-Fawwar refugee camp, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural well and steel structure belonging to Abdul-Qadir al-Azzah.
Sheikh Jamil Mahmoud Alqam, 70, and 24-year-old Palestinian police officer Ibrahim Muhammad Awad were detained in Beit Ummar, a local committee spokesman said, while soldiers also broke into a charity for orphans and confiscated computers and paper files.
Youths in the town clashed with Israeli soldiers, hurling stones and empty bottles, and setting fire to tires.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets, and live fire at demonstrators, injuring three people.
Several residents suffered tear gas inhalation.
In Yatta, Israeli forces closed off several roads before ransacking residential properties. Soldiers also raided a charitable society for orphans and confiscated surveillance cameras, computers, and files.
They also raided a private clinic belonging to Dr. Ibrahim al-Najjar, confiscating security cameras, and a shop belonging to Mousa al-Najjar.
Soldiers were also reportedly searching caves, cemeteries and abandoned houses on the outskirts of Yatta and demolished a 1.5 kilometer long road between Khirbet al-Dirat and Khallat al-Mayy.
In Deir Samit, Israeli forces detained Subhi Muhammad Masalmah while soldiers raided several properties in Bani Naim.
Israeli forces also targeted the students' union at Bir Zeit University near Ramallah, the radio said.
The widespread search and arrest operations sparked clashes overnight in Jenin and Nablus, the army said.
"During an operational activity in Jenin, a violent riot erupted during which Palestinians hurled IEDs (petrol bombs) and opened fire at the forces," it said.
"The forces responded with live fire, identifying hits," it added.
Clashes also broke out in Nablus where residents hurled an explosive device and rocks at the soldiers, prompting several arrests, the army said.
"Overnight, IDF forces have searched approximately 100 locations and carried approximately 10 operations against 'Dawa' institutions - the civilian lifeline used by Hamas to recruit, disseminate information and enable cash flow," Israel's army said.
Thirty Palestinians were detained, making a total of 280 since the manhunt began. Over 200 of those arrested are affiliated with Hamas, the statement added.
Three Israeli teenagers went missing from a Jewish settlement near Bethlehem last week.
The Israeli military has engaged in a wide spread search campaign for the missing youths that has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank.
Israeli forces have killed one Palestinian and injured at least seven injured across the West Bank since the campaign began.
In an ongoing military crackdown in Hebron, Israeli forces raided homes and charitable organizations, detaining 30 men.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli troops detained 62-year-old Mustafa Shawar, 64-year-old Rimsi Difish, 46-year-old Wajih Abu Hadid, Raed Hmeidan Sharabati, Qidar Ramadan Gheith, Ali Dofish, Ahmad Muhammad al-Uweiwi, Sheikh Jihad Shabanah, Sheikh Anwar Harb and Muhammad Bassam al-Zeir.
Soldiers also raided the public transportation lot of Hebron's municipality and confiscated surveillance cameras.
In al-Fawwar refugee camp, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural well and steel structure belonging to Abdul-Qadir al-Azzah.
Sheikh Jamil Mahmoud Alqam, 70, and 24-year-old Palestinian police officer Ibrahim Muhammad Awad were detained in Beit Ummar, a local committee spokesman said, while soldiers also broke into a charity for orphans and confiscated computers and paper files.
Youths in the town clashed with Israeli soldiers, hurling stones and empty bottles, and setting fire to tires.
Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets, and live fire at demonstrators, injuring three people.
Several residents suffered tear gas inhalation.
In Yatta, Israeli forces closed off several roads before ransacking residential properties. Soldiers also raided a charitable society for orphans and confiscated surveillance cameras, computers, and files.
They also raided a private clinic belonging to Dr. Ibrahim al-Najjar, confiscating security cameras, and a shop belonging to Mousa al-Najjar.
Soldiers were also reportedly searching caves, cemeteries and abandoned houses on the outskirts of Yatta and demolished a 1.5 kilometer long road between Khirbet al-Dirat and Khallat al-Mayy.
In Deir Samit, Israeli forces detained Subhi Muhammad Masalmah while soldiers raided several properties in Bani Naim.
Israeli forces also targeted the students' union at Bir Zeit University near Ramallah, the radio said.
The widespread search and arrest operations sparked clashes overnight in Jenin and Nablus, the army said.
"During an operational activity in Jenin, a violent riot erupted during which Palestinians hurled IEDs (petrol bombs) and opened fire at the forces," it said.
"The forces responded with live fire, identifying hits," it added.
Clashes also broke out in Nablus where residents hurled an explosive device and rocks at the soldiers, prompting several arrests, the army said.
"Overnight, IDF forces have searched approximately 100 locations and carried approximately 10 operations against 'Dawa' institutions - the civilian lifeline used by Hamas to recruit, disseminate information and enable cash flow," Israel's army said.
Thirty Palestinians were detained, making a total of 280 since the manhunt began. Over 200 of those arrested are affiliated with Hamas, the statement added.
Three Israeli teenagers went missing from a Jewish settlement near Bethlehem last week.
The Israeli military has engaged in a wide spread search campaign for the missing youths that has morphed into a full assault on Hamas members across the West Bank.
Israeli forces have killed one Palestinian and injured at least seven injured across the West Bank since the campaign began.
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has firmly condemned the ongoing Israeli deportation threats and mass abduction campaigns targeting, so far, more than 50 Palestinian ex-detainees released in the Ahrar swap deal. “We, Hamas leaders and the Palestinian masses, declare our firm rejection of the Israeli banishment schemes targeting our leadership and national icons.
This is a war crime and a flagrant crossing of all redlines. The Israeli occupation should think twice before launching such a frenzied attack,” Hamas said in a statement issued by its media office on Wednesday.
“Our leaders have all the means and abilities to thwart all projected deportation crimes as we did many times before. The Israeli Occupation will always remember the “Marj al-Zouhour victory” when Hamas leaders foiled Israeli attempts to expel our leaders to the Lebanese borders,” the statement added.
According to Hamas, the Israeli mass kidnap of Palestinian prisoners released in al-Ahrar deal is an unspeakable breach of all international laws and treaties. The international community and all concerned parties should, therefore, take on their responsibilities vis-à-vis such Israeli violations.
“We hold the Israeli occupation authorities entirely responsible for the lives and safety of our national leadership and ex-detainees. Such an unprecedented upsurge in Israeli aggression represents a desperate Israeli shot that unravels a great panic and fear of a potential resistance or reaction,” Hamas said appealing to Palestinian masses and national factions to pool resources.
The Islamic Movement spoke against the unjustifiable silence and apathy revealed by the World’s Arabs and Muslims and called for official political, media, and popular campaigns aiming at exposing the Israeli violations of international laws and rallying round the oppressed Palestinian people and ex-detainees .
“Our people and leadership know well how to reclaim their own rights and those of their offspring,” Sheikh Saleh Aruri, Hamas political leader, vowed as he denied all rumors that the Ahrar swap authorizes any potential re-capture of Palestinian ex-detainees, no matter the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Hamas has embarked on a set of serious measures to respond to the Israeli intimidation and terror campaigns, Aruri further revealed.
This is a war crime and a flagrant crossing of all redlines. The Israeli occupation should think twice before launching such a frenzied attack,” Hamas said in a statement issued by its media office on Wednesday.
“Our leaders have all the means and abilities to thwart all projected deportation crimes as we did many times before. The Israeli Occupation will always remember the “Marj al-Zouhour victory” when Hamas leaders foiled Israeli attempts to expel our leaders to the Lebanese borders,” the statement added.
According to Hamas, the Israeli mass kidnap of Palestinian prisoners released in al-Ahrar deal is an unspeakable breach of all international laws and treaties. The international community and all concerned parties should, therefore, take on their responsibilities vis-à-vis such Israeli violations.
“We hold the Israeli occupation authorities entirely responsible for the lives and safety of our national leadership and ex-detainees. Such an unprecedented upsurge in Israeli aggression represents a desperate Israeli shot that unravels a great panic and fear of a potential resistance or reaction,” Hamas said appealing to Palestinian masses and national factions to pool resources.
The Islamic Movement spoke against the unjustifiable silence and apathy revealed by the World’s Arabs and Muslims and called for official political, media, and popular campaigns aiming at exposing the Israeli violations of international laws and rallying round the oppressed Palestinian people and ex-detainees .
“Our people and leadership know well how to reclaim their own rights and those of their offspring,” Sheikh Saleh Aruri, Hamas political leader, vowed as he denied all rumors that the Ahrar swap authorizes any potential re-capture of Palestinian ex-detainees, no matter the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Hamas has embarked on a set of serious measures to respond to the Israeli intimidation and terror campaigns, Aruri further revealed.
