5 june 2014
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The Israeli forces suppressed on Thursday afternoon a march that was organized by the Popular Youth Movement in Jerusalem on the anniversary of the occupation of the city.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said that the Israeli forces arrested four young men and assaulted and severely beat Um Ayman Al-Soos and also assaulted the participants once the march arrived at Nablus Street coming from Salah Eddin Street. The forces assaulted Um Ayman and detained her for few minutes and then released her after she lost consciousness. The Calvary unit also had their role in assaulting the men and women participating in the march. |
A total of 196 Palestinian children were imprisoned and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system at the end of April, according to rights group Defence of Children International-Palestine (DCI-Palestine). This represents a decrease of 3 percent from March.
The number of young children detained between the ages of 14 and 15 was 27, an increase of 13 percent from March. There were no children detained in the Israeli military court system under 14 years old.
DCI-Palestine notes that each year approximately 500-700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12 years, are detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system.
The most common charge is for throwing stones. Currently, 100 Palestinian child prisoners are detained inside Israel in violation of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Additional information may be found here.
The number of young children detained between the ages of 14 and 15 was 27, an increase of 13 percent from March. There were no children detained in the Israeli military court system under 14 years old.
DCI-Palestine notes that each year approximately 500-700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12 years, are detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system.
The most common charge is for throwing stones. Currently, 100 Palestinian child prisoners are detained inside Israel in violation of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Additional information may be found here.
Some 70 hunger-striking prisoners from Nafha prison were sent to several different jails recently in what they say is an attempt to isolate them from each other and the rest of the prisoners, the Prisoner's Society told Ma'an.
A lawyer with the advocacy group who visited the Nafha prison in Mitzpe Ramon in southern Israel on Thursday said that the prison is "tense" and that punishments against hunger-striking prisoners are being meted out "continuously."
The lawyer requested that prisoners urgently appeal to international institutions, especially since the strike issue was not being solved within the prisons services.
Prisoners are concerned that the strike will deteriorate further as the Islamic month of fasting Ramadan approaches.
A lawyer with the advocacy group who visited the Nafha prison in Mitzpe Ramon in southern Israel on Thursday said that the prison is "tense" and that punishments against hunger-striking prisoners are being meted out "continuously."
The lawyer requested that prisoners urgently appeal to international institutions, especially since the strike issue was not being solved within the prisons services.
Prisoners are concerned that the strike will deteriorate further as the Islamic month of fasting Ramadan approaches.
Israeli forces detained a young Palestinian man Thursday afternoon as he tried to cross Zaatara military checkpoint south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.
Palestinian security sources identified the man as 22-year-old Qusayy Suleiman Abu Shihab from Azzun village in Nablus district. He was taken to Huwwara military base south of Nablus.
Israel's army referred inquiries to a border police spokesman who did not immediately return calls.
Palestinian security sources identified the man as 22-year-old Qusayy Suleiman Abu Shihab from Azzun village in Nablus district. He was taken to Huwwara military base south of Nablus.
Israel's army referred inquiries to a border police spokesman who did not immediately return calls.
Mahmoud Zwahre
Yesterday, at 4:30 am, Popular Resistance activist Mahmoud Zwahre was again arrested by the Israeli army, at his house in Al Ma'asara, just southwest of Bethlehem.
An attempt to arrest Zwahre was made previously during the weekly Friday protest in the village. This week, on Wednesday, a large group of Israeli soldiers raided Zwahre's home, just before dawn.
Mahmoud Zwahre, according to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), is an activist and coordinator for the Popular Committee Against the Wall and the Settlements in Al Ma'asara. Soldiers surrounded the Zwahre residence and declared it a closed military zone, as they proceeded to tear through the contents of the house, terrorizing the children and abusing Mahmoud in front of his family.
He was arrested, blindfolded, and taken to an unknown destination -- essentially, and by all rights, amounting to a kidnapping.
(Al Ma'asara is a small Palestinian village located in Area B of the central occupied West Bank. Though Area B is officially recognized to be under joint Israeli-Palestinian security control, the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem has yet to be granted legitimacy by the international community.)
Munther Amira, director of the board of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee Against the Wall and the Settlements (PSCC) in the Palestinian territories, explained in an interview with the PNN that the Israeli occupation increasingly targets activists of Popular Resistance and their activities:
The activities of Popular Resistance are peaceful and designed to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people through the Israeli occupation practices of racism and violation of international law. Nevertheless, the PSCC has documented the rough and violent reactions by Israeli soldiers against the protests and marches organized by the Popular Struggle Committees in the various provinces of the country.
The committee denounces the arrest of its coordinator Mahmoud Zwahre, and calls for his release.
Yesterday, at 4:30 am, Popular Resistance activist Mahmoud Zwahre was again arrested by the Israeli army, at his house in Al Ma'asara, just southwest of Bethlehem.
An attempt to arrest Zwahre was made previously during the weekly Friday protest in the village. This week, on Wednesday, a large group of Israeli soldiers raided Zwahre's home, just before dawn.
Mahmoud Zwahre, according to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), is an activist and coordinator for the Popular Committee Against the Wall and the Settlements in Al Ma'asara. Soldiers surrounded the Zwahre residence and declared it a closed military zone, as they proceeded to tear through the contents of the house, terrorizing the children and abusing Mahmoud in front of his family.
He was arrested, blindfolded, and taken to an unknown destination -- essentially, and by all rights, amounting to a kidnapping.
(Al Ma'asara is a small Palestinian village located in Area B of the central occupied West Bank. Though Area B is officially recognized to be under joint Israeli-Palestinian security control, the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem has yet to be granted legitimacy by the international community.)
Munther Amira, director of the board of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee Against the Wall and the Settlements (PSCC) in the Palestinian territories, explained in an interview with the PNN that the Israeli occupation increasingly targets activists of Popular Resistance and their activities:
The activities of Popular Resistance are peaceful and designed to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people through the Israeli occupation practices of racism and violation of international law. Nevertheless, the PSCC has documented the rough and violent reactions by Israeli soldiers against the protests and marches organized by the Popular Struggle Committees in the various provinces of the country.
The committee denounces the arrest of its coordinator Mahmoud Zwahre, and calls for his release.
PPP Political Bureau Member Kidnapped
Israeli soldiers attacked students holding a nonviolent protest in solidarity with the Palestinian political prisoners, in the center of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Local sources said the protest was organized by the Hebron Defense Committee, and started from the al-Jaza’er School, heading towards the Old City.
The protest was almost instantly attacked by Israeli soldiers who fired gas bombs, and violently attacked several Palestinians with batons, causing various injuries.
The soldiers also chased the protesters in an attempt to kidnap them, and closed several roads in the city.
The army also attacked a nonviolent protest in the Old City of Hebron, and kidnapped Fahmi Shahin, member of the Political Bureau of the leftist Palestinian People Party (PPP).
Resident Imad Abu Shamsiyya, a volunteer with the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), stated that the soldiers attacked nonviolent protesters, and fired several gas bombs at them causing dozens to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The protests were held in solidarity with hunger striking Palestinian detainees, who are holding an open-ended hunger strike, and most of them started their strike 42 days ago, and are facing serious health complications.
The detainees are demanding an end to Israel’s illegitimate arbitrary detention policy, indefinitely holding hundreds of detainees without charges or trial.
They are also demanding decent living conditions, proper medical attention especially to detainees suffering from cancer, heart, liver and kidney diseases and various other serious illnesses, in addition to right to education, and an end to ongoing attacks against them and their visiting family members.
Administrative detainees are demanding their right to have their day in court, as they are held without charges or trial, in direct violation of all related international human rights treaties.
Israeli soldiers attacked students holding a nonviolent protest in solidarity with the Palestinian political prisoners, in the center of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Local sources said the protest was organized by the Hebron Defense Committee, and started from the al-Jaza’er School, heading towards the Old City.
The protest was almost instantly attacked by Israeli soldiers who fired gas bombs, and violently attacked several Palestinians with batons, causing various injuries.
The soldiers also chased the protesters in an attempt to kidnap them, and closed several roads in the city.
The army also attacked a nonviolent protest in the Old City of Hebron, and kidnapped Fahmi Shahin, member of the Political Bureau of the leftist Palestinian People Party (PPP).
Resident Imad Abu Shamsiyya, a volunteer with the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), stated that the soldiers attacked nonviolent protesters, and fired several gas bombs at them causing dozens to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The protests were held in solidarity with hunger striking Palestinian detainees, who are holding an open-ended hunger strike, and most of them started their strike 42 days ago, and are facing serious health complications.
The detainees are demanding an end to Israel’s illegitimate arbitrary detention policy, indefinitely holding hundreds of detainees without charges or trial.
They are also demanding decent living conditions, proper medical attention especially to detainees suffering from cancer, heart, liver and kidney diseases and various other serious illnesses, in addition to right to education, and an end to ongoing attacks against them and their visiting family members.
Administrative detainees are demanding their right to have their day in court, as they are held without charges or trial, in direct violation of all related international human rights treaties.
Sweeping raid-campaigns were launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in Jenin and al-Khalil at dawn Thursday. Around 7 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were arrested while others were attacked following a peaceful solidarity march. According to local sources in Jenin, more than 20 Israeli military jeeps invaded Anza village and rounded up Ali Bassem Sabri Atyani, 18, after having rummaged through his family home.
The IOF broke into the house of Palestinian citizen Fadi Mahmoud Sadaka, 19, and summoned him for interrogation in Salem military camp after having searched his house, the same sources reported.
Israeli soldiers attacked the house of the two Palestinian brothers Ibrahim and Ahmad Amour and interrogated them on the spot, the sources further documented
According to local sources in al-Khalil, the IOF assaulted several Palestinian homes in Halhoul, north of the city, and turned them upside down, before arresting 5 Palestinian civilians, including children.
Palestinian teenager Fouad Manasra was rounded up and carried to an unknown destination by the IOF after having stormed Bani Na’im town.
A military checkpoint was erected at the Ziv crossroad in Yatta, south of al-Khalil, where Palestinian vehicles and IDs were provocatively inspected, leading to traffic congestion, sources at the scene further confirmed.
In another event, the IOF and settlers of the illegal Karmiel settlement, established io Palestinians’ lands south of al-Khalil ,threatened Umm al-Khair natives with deportation in case further fumes from the Tabun ovens, their only means of baking bread, are discharged.
In a related context, the IOF attacked a non-violent protest rally staged on Thursday in al-Khalil in solidarity with the administrative detainees and to mark the 47th Naksa anniversary. Heavy firing of sound bombs and tear gas canisters followed while Palestinian activists were assaulted, eye-witnesses told the PIC.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers stationed near Bab al-Zaouia and in the alleys of the Old City, the eye-witnesses added.
Clashes broke out at dawn Thursday following IOF break-ins into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil. Tear gas canisters and sound bombs were fired throughout, leading to breathing difficulties among women and children.
In another incident, Jerusalemite Youth Amir Sarsour on Wednesday was rushed to hospital after having been heavily beaten by a horde of extremist Israeli settlers while he was on his way to his workplace, bystanders at the scene stated.
Several Silwan natives were also arrested by the IOF as they voiced disapprovals of settler attacks launched on a Jerusalemite family and the random pepper spray, the Wadi Halwa Information Center reported.
The IOF broke into the house of Palestinian citizen Fadi Mahmoud Sadaka, 19, and summoned him for interrogation in Salem military camp after having searched his house, the same sources reported.
Israeli soldiers attacked the house of the two Palestinian brothers Ibrahim and Ahmad Amour and interrogated them on the spot, the sources further documented
According to local sources in al-Khalil, the IOF assaulted several Palestinian homes in Halhoul, north of the city, and turned them upside down, before arresting 5 Palestinian civilians, including children.
Palestinian teenager Fouad Manasra was rounded up and carried to an unknown destination by the IOF after having stormed Bani Na’im town.
A military checkpoint was erected at the Ziv crossroad in Yatta, south of al-Khalil, where Palestinian vehicles and IDs were provocatively inspected, leading to traffic congestion, sources at the scene further confirmed.
In another event, the IOF and settlers of the illegal Karmiel settlement, established io Palestinians’ lands south of al-Khalil ,threatened Umm al-Khair natives with deportation in case further fumes from the Tabun ovens, their only means of baking bread, are discharged.
In a related context, the IOF attacked a non-violent protest rally staged on Thursday in al-Khalil in solidarity with the administrative detainees and to mark the 47th Naksa anniversary. Heavy firing of sound bombs and tear gas canisters followed while Palestinian activists were assaulted, eye-witnesses told the PIC.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers stationed near Bab al-Zaouia and in the alleys of the Old City, the eye-witnesses added.
Clashes broke out at dawn Thursday following IOF break-ins into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil. Tear gas canisters and sound bombs were fired throughout, leading to breathing difficulties among women and children.
In another incident, Jerusalemite Youth Amir Sarsour on Wednesday was rushed to hospital after having been heavily beaten by a horde of extremist Israeli settlers while he was on his way to his workplace, bystanders at the scene stated.
Several Silwan natives were also arrested by the IOF as they voiced disapprovals of settler attacks launched on a Jerusalemite family and the random pepper spray, the Wadi Halwa Information Center reported.
Palestinian detainee Ayman Atabish has been without food for 98 consecutive days demanding his immediate release. Atabish, sentenced administratively to 6 months without trial, declared his determination to continue his strike until his legitimate demands are met including an end to the Israeli administrative detention policy.
Atabish's family expressed fears of his sudden death especially that he suffers heart muscle weakness.
Meanwhile, the Israeli prison service (IPS) transferred 70 Palestinian hunger strikers in Nafha jail to other prisons in a bid to weaken their determination and isolate them from each other, the Palestinian prisoner society said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that the IPS targets isolating the prisoners, who have voluntarily engaged in the hunger strike in support of the administrative detainees.
Atabish's family expressed fears of his sudden death especially that he suffers heart muscle weakness.
Meanwhile, the Israeli prison service (IPS) transferred 70 Palestinian hunger strikers in Nafha jail to other prisons in a bid to weaken their determination and isolate them from each other, the Palestinian prisoner society said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that the IPS targets isolating the prisoners, who have voluntarily engaged in the hunger strike in support of the administrative detainees.
Thursday, June 5th marks the 43rd day of the open-ended hunger strike declared by the Palestinian administrative detainees demanding their immediate release and an end to Israeli administrative detention policy especially that many of them were transferred to hospitals. Palestinian human rights institutions called on the Palestinian Authority to internationalize administrative detainees' issue and to work urgently for their release.
In press conference held on Wednesday at PA headquarters in Ramallah, Ahrar center for prisoner studies called on the newly formed Palestinian government to work on the release of administrative detainees from Israeli jails.
120 administrative prisoners started last April an open-ended hunger strike to pressure their jailers to release them and revoke the secret files which the Israeli intelligence claims to have against them.
Tough Israeli sanctions were imposed against the hunger strikers in an attempt to break their strike, while administrative detainees stressed their determination to continue the strike till their demands are met.
Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet is expected to meet today in order to discuss Shamgar commission's recommendations.
Shamgar commission was formed in 2010 by Ehud Barak to adopt a specific policy on future prisoners swap deals.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu delegated the security cabinet to speed up Knesset consultations on a bill that will allow Israeli jailers to force-feed Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
The cabinet meeting came at the request of Israeli minister of economy Naftali Bennett who recently submitted a bill that prevents the release of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment neither in a swap deal nor in goodwill gestures.
The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed the vote on the bill few days ago after being opposed by the government adviser Yehuda Feinstein while Bennett called to conduct the vote again.
The Shamgar commission recommended against releasing thousands of Palestinians in exchange of an Israeli soldier.
In press conference held on Wednesday at PA headquarters in Ramallah, Ahrar center for prisoner studies called on the newly formed Palestinian government to work on the release of administrative detainees from Israeli jails.
120 administrative prisoners started last April an open-ended hunger strike to pressure their jailers to release them and revoke the secret files which the Israeli intelligence claims to have against them.
Tough Israeli sanctions were imposed against the hunger strikers in an attempt to break their strike, while administrative detainees stressed their determination to continue the strike till their demands are met.
Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet is expected to meet today in order to discuss Shamgar commission's recommendations.
Shamgar commission was formed in 2010 by Ehud Barak to adopt a specific policy on future prisoners swap deals.
Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu delegated the security cabinet to speed up Knesset consultations on a bill that will allow Israeli jailers to force-feed Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
The cabinet meeting came at the request of Israeli minister of economy Naftali Bennett who recently submitted a bill that prevents the release of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment neither in a swap deal nor in goodwill gestures.
The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed the vote on the bill few days ago after being opposed by the government adviser Yehuda Feinstein while Bennett called to conduct the vote again.
The Shamgar commission recommended against releasing thousands of Palestinians in exchange of an Israeli soldier.
Israeli soldiers invaded different parts of the occupied West Bank, broke into and searched several homes, and kidnapped at least five Palestinians.
Hasan Breijeyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and settlements in Bethlehem, stated that the army kidnapped Mahmoud Hussein Zawahra, 43, after breaking into his home and searching it.
Zawahra is in charge of the Israeli Annexation Wall file at the Palestinian Authority, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, the WAFA News Agency has reported.
Soldiers also invaded Anza village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and handed another resident a military warrant ordering him to the Salem military base for interrogation.
Local sources said the army kidnapped Ali Bassam ‘Eetany, 18, after dozens of soldiers invaded his father’s home, and ransacked it.
Soldiers also invaded and searched several homes, and handed resident Fadi Mahmoud Sadaqa, 19, a warrant ordering him to head to the Salem base for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers invaded Aseera ash-Shemaliyya village, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Hussein Mohammad Abu Daoud, 25.
In related news, soldiers invaded various communities in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
WAFA said the army kidnapped Ali Ismael Zama’ra, 23, from Halhoul town north of Hebron, and Mohammad Yacoub Najjar, from ar-Reehiyya village, south of the city, and took them to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers installed a roadblock at the Zeef Junction, east of Hebron, stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian cars, and interrogated the passengers while examining their ID cards.
Also, soldiers, and settlers of the Karmiel illegal settlement, attacked Palestinian villagers of Um al-Kheir village, and threatened to displace them if they continue to “use clay ovens, as they produce smoke”, according to the Israeli allegations.
Israel army: 4 Palestinians detained overnight
Israeli forces raided Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank early Thursday, carrying out at four arrests, a military official said.
In Asira al-Shamaliyya village, north of Nablus, they detained a youth after raiding his house.
Palestinian security forces told Ma’an that the Israeli forces raided the village and detained Hussein Muhammed Abu Daoud, 25, after they forcefully entered his home.
An army spokeswoman confirmed that arrest and said three others were detained from villages near Jenin, Hebron and Bethlehem.
Hasan Breijeyya, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and settlements in Bethlehem, stated that the army kidnapped Mahmoud Hussein Zawahra, 43, after breaking into his home and searching it.
Zawahra is in charge of the Israeli Annexation Wall file at the Palestinian Authority, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, the WAFA News Agency has reported.
Soldiers also invaded Anza village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and handed another resident a military warrant ordering him to the Salem military base for interrogation.
Local sources said the army kidnapped Ali Bassam ‘Eetany, 18, after dozens of soldiers invaded his father’s home, and ransacked it.
Soldiers also invaded and searched several homes, and handed resident Fadi Mahmoud Sadaqa, 19, a warrant ordering him to head to the Salem base for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers invaded Aseera ash-Shemaliyya village, north of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Hussein Mohammad Abu Daoud, 25.
In related news, soldiers invaded various communities in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and kidnapped two Palestinians.
WAFA said the army kidnapped Ali Ismael Zama’ra, 23, from Halhoul town north of Hebron, and Mohammad Yacoub Najjar, from ar-Reehiyya village, south of the city, and took them to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
In addition, soldiers installed a roadblock at the Zeef Junction, east of Hebron, stopped and searched dozens of Palestinian cars, and interrogated the passengers while examining their ID cards.
Also, soldiers, and settlers of the Karmiel illegal settlement, attacked Palestinian villagers of Um al-Kheir village, and threatened to displace them if they continue to “use clay ovens, as they produce smoke”, according to the Israeli allegations.
Israel army: 4 Palestinians detained overnight
Israeli forces raided Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank early Thursday, carrying out at four arrests, a military official said.
In Asira al-Shamaliyya village, north of Nablus, they detained a youth after raiding his house.
Palestinian security forces told Ma’an that the Israeli forces raided the village and detained Hussein Muhammed Abu Daoud, 25, after they forcefully entered his home.
An army spokeswoman confirmed that arrest and said three others were detained from villages near Jenin, Hebron and Bethlehem.
Israeli Cabinet held on Thursday a meeting to discuss recommendations of Shamgar commission regarding possible prisoners swap deals in the future. Israeli minister of economy, Naftali Bennett, demanded to support the bill that prevents the release of any prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment neither in a swap deal nor in goodwill gestures.
The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the vote on the draft law in the last cabinet session. Yehuda Feinstein, the government adviser, opposed the bill while Bennett called to conduct the vote again.
The Shamgar commission was formed by Ehud Barak in 2010 to apply a specific policy on future prisoners ex-change deals.The commission also recommended not to release thousands of Palestinians in exchange of an Israeli.
The number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons is continuously rising, reaching 5,100 prisoners by end of last April, according to a recent report by the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.
The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the vote on the draft law in the last cabinet session. Yehuda Feinstein, the government adviser, opposed the bill while Bennett called to conduct the vote again.
The Shamgar commission was formed by Ehud Barak in 2010 to apply a specific policy on future prisoners ex-change deals.The commission also recommended not to release thousands of Palestinians in exchange of an Israeli.
The number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons is continuously rising, reaching 5,100 prisoners by end of last April, according to a recent report by the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.
Desmond Tutu will lead protesters on Thursday campaigning against British security firm G4S's role in maintaining prisons and detention centres in the West Bank and Israel. The South African retired archbishop and Nobel peace laureate will challenge G4S's management over the company's role in facilitating "Israel's brutal occupation and abhorrent prison system" at the company's annual general meeting in London on Thursday afternoon.
Tutu, and several other notable protesters including directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, philosopher Noam Chomsky and barrister Michael Mansfield QC, have written an open letter to G4S management, published in the Guardian, demanding the company stop supplying equipment to Israeli prisons.
"G4S helps the Israeli Prison Service to run prisons inside Israel that hold prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory, despite the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibition of the transfer of prisoners from occupied territory into the territory of the occupier," the protesters wrote.
"Through its involvement in Israel's prison system, G4S is complicit in violations of international law and participates in Israel's use of mass incarceration as a means by which to dissuade Palestinians from protesting Israel's systematic human rights abuses."
The protesters said that human rights organizations have documented "systematic torture" and ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including children held in solitary confinement, at some of the Prisons.
In a separate letter to the Guardian a number of MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and Joan Ruddock, said children were reportedly ill-treated in the prisons and called on G4S to "terminate its contracts with facilities where children suffer routine physical and verbal abuse".
G4S, which employs 8,000 in Israel, said it "takes very seriously our obligations to ensure that our activities do not contribute to human rights abuses".
This week the UK government's National Contact Point watchdog launched an investigation into G4S's activities in Israel and the West Bank. The National Contact Point, which is part of the department for Business, said it had "accepted issues for further examination". It follows a formal complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, a charity that has long criticised G4S.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust recently reduced its stake in G4S after British campaign group War on Want wrote to Gates to urge him to sell the stake because of the company's activities in Israel. The Gates foundation declined to comment on the reasons behind the sale.
Tutu, and several other notable protesters including directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, philosopher Noam Chomsky and barrister Michael Mansfield QC, have written an open letter to G4S management, published in the Guardian, demanding the company stop supplying equipment to Israeli prisons.
"G4S helps the Israeli Prison Service to run prisons inside Israel that hold prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory, despite the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibition of the transfer of prisoners from occupied territory into the territory of the occupier," the protesters wrote.
"Through its involvement in Israel's prison system, G4S is complicit in violations of international law and participates in Israel's use of mass incarceration as a means by which to dissuade Palestinians from protesting Israel's systematic human rights abuses."
The protesters said that human rights organizations have documented "systematic torture" and ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including children held in solitary confinement, at some of the Prisons.
In a separate letter to the Guardian a number of MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and Joan Ruddock, said children were reportedly ill-treated in the prisons and called on G4S to "terminate its contracts with facilities where children suffer routine physical and verbal abuse".
G4S, which employs 8,000 in Israel, said it "takes very seriously our obligations to ensure that our activities do not contribute to human rights abuses".
This week the UK government's National Contact Point watchdog launched an investigation into G4S's activities in Israel and the West Bank. The National Contact Point, which is part of the department for Business, said it had "accepted issues for further examination". It follows a formal complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, a charity that has long criticised G4S.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust recently reduced its stake in G4S after British campaign group War on Want wrote to Gates to urge him to sell the stake because of the company's activities in Israel. The Gates foundation declined to comment on the reasons behind the sale.
4 june 2014
On Tuesday night, several settlers assaulted young men from Haleisi family with pepper spray and severely beat them in Silwan Witnesses said that nearly 15 settlers attacked the cars of Jerusalemites that were parked in the land of the family in the neighbourhood of Nabi Daoud in Silwan. When the Haleisi family noticed the assault, the young men tried to confront the settlers who sprayed pepper gas at the young men and then severely beat them.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the police arrived in the area and provided the settlers with full protection and then arrested Mohammad Haleisi and his cousin Mohammad, and then released them after detaining them for half an hour.
The police also detained Yousef Haleisi when he went to Salah Eddin Street police station to file a claim against the settlers.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the police arrived in the area and provided the settlers with full protection and then arrested Mohammad Haleisi and his cousin Mohammad, and then released them after detaining them for half an hour.
The police also detained Yousef Haleisi when he went to Salah Eddin Street police station to file a claim against the settlers.
Stores and shops in Jenin closed Wednesday in response to the Palestinian National and Islamic bodies that decided to announce a commercial strike and a mass march in solidarity with the Palestinian hunger-striking prisoners. The strike halted the commercial traffic in Jenin amidst a significant case of solidarity with the prisoners who have been on strike for 42 days in a row.
The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces demanded the Arab peoples, governments, and parties to interfere immediately to bear the responsibility towards the Palestinian prisoners who defend the Arab and Islamic nations’ dignity.
The forces also decided to organize on Wednesday a march in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters.
The hunger strike commenced on 24 April 2014 when approximately 120 detainees began refusing food in protest of their continued administrative detention, which is detention without charge or trial.
Since then the hunger strike has escalated as more administrative detainees and prisoners have joined the strike. The youngest hunger striker, Ahmad Rimawi, is just 19 years old.
The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces demanded the Arab peoples, governments, and parties to interfere immediately to bear the responsibility towards the Palestinian prisoners who defend the Arab and Islamic nations’ dignity.
The forces also decided to organize on Wednesday a march in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters.
The hunger strike commenced on 24 April 2014 when approximately 120 detainees began refusing food in protest of their continued administrative detention, which is detention without charge or trial.
Since then the hunger strike has escalated as more administrative detainees and prisoners have joined the strike. The youngest hunger striker, Ahmad Rimawi, is just 19 years old.
Dozens of Palestinian activists protested on Wednesday in front of the Ramallah office of the UN agency for Palestine refugees in support of hunger striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, locals said.
Locals told Ma'an that protesters prevented employees from accessing the UNRWA building, urging the international body to take "serious steps" to support hunger strikers.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs said that prisoners who are on their 42nd day of hunger strike are in danger of dying.
Rami al-Alami, who said he recently a visited hunger striker in Israel's Ela prison, told Ma'an that the condition of the original group of strikers is continuing to worsen.
He called on the international community to pressure Israel to meet the prisoners' demands.
Approximately 100 striking prisoners launched their campaign on April 24 in protest against Israel's police of administrative detention.
Since the beginning of the strike, hundreds of other prisoners have joined the original 100, while thousands have held one-day solidarity strikes.
Palestinians held in administrative detention are often held without charge or trial for months, even though international law stipulates this tactic only be used in exceptional circumstances.
The Palestinian human rights organization Addameer estimates that around 183 Palestinians are currently being held in administrative detention.
Locals told Ma'an that protesters prevented employees from accessing the UNRWA building, urging the international body to take "serious steps" to support hunger strikers.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs said that prisoners who are on their 42nd day of hunger strike are in danger of dying.
Rami al-Alami, who said he recently a visited hunger striker in Israel's Ela prison, told Ma'an that the condition of the original group of strikers is continuing to worsen.
He called on the international community to pressure Israel to meet the prisoners' demands.
Approximately 100 striking prisoners launched their campaign on April 24 in protest against Israel's police of administrative detention.
Since the beginning of the strike, hundreds of other prisoners have joined the original 100, while thousands have held one-day solidarity strikes.
Palestinians held in administrative detention are often held without charge or trial for months, even though international law stipulates this tactic only be used in exceptional circumstances.
The Palestinian human rights organization Addameer estimates that around 183 Palestinians are currently being held in administrative detention.
Hamas on Wednesday called on the Palestinian masses to step up pressure on the Israeli occupation authorities by participating in solidarity moves on Thursday on the occasion of the 47th Naksa anniversary. A large-scale solidarity commercial strike will be staged on Thursday in al-Khalil starting from early morning hours until noon time as a means to back up the Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, Hamas said in a statement.
Hamas called for the activation of solidarity campaigns and the escalation of protest moves so as to pressure the Israeli authorities to halt the violations targeting the Palestinian administrative hunger strikers, who have been without food for 42 days in a row.
Hamas called for the activation of solidarity campaigns and the escalation of protest moves so as to pressure the Israeli authorities to halt the violations targeting the Palestinian administrative hunger strikers, who have been without food for 42 days in a row.
At the ministry’s headquarter in Ramallah, Shawqi al-Issa, Tuesday has taken charge of the Ministry of Prisoners in the presence of the Undersecretary of the ministry, its directors and some official figures. Al-Issa emphasized importance of the position saying, “this is a ministry with a special importance. It touches the lives of most Palestinians as the majority of Palestinians suffered the bitterness of detention.”
He also stressed the need to exert all efforts to support the Palestinian prisoners and their families, noting that the priority will be for the prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 42 days.
The minister called for taking urgent steps to save the lives of the hunger-strikers and put an end to the Israeli negligence of their health.
Under terms of a deal signed on April 23, the main Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, agreed to establish a unity cabinet of 17 independent ministers that would organize long-delayed elections.
He also stressed the need to exert all efforts to support the Palestinian prisoners and their families, noting that the priority will be for the prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 42 days.
The minister called for taking urgent steps to save the lives of the hunger-strikers and put an end to the Israeli negligence of their health.
Under terms of a deal signed on April 23, the main Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, agreed to establish a unity cabinet of 17 independent ministers that would organize long-delayed elections.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society has issued a statement confirming that 60 people being held in Beersheba Prison, in Eshel, are currently engaged in continuous hunger strike, and that each of them are being held in solitary confinement.
According to Ma'an News Agency, the prisoners are among hundreds who are now refusing meals in act of solidarity with administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike for 41 days.
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, of the PLO Executive Committee, said that the strikers "represent the most selfless struggle for justice and freedom in Palestine and that the ongoing hunger strike exposes "the cruelty and illegality of the ongoing illegal occupation, particularly in relation to the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails."
Ashrawi has called on the international community to pressure Israel in meeting the strikers' demands, Ma'an further reports:
"The deafening silence from the international media and some official circles regarding the hundreds of Palestinian prisoner hunger strikers is inexcusable," she said.
"We call on all states, members of the press, and people of conscience to pressure Israel to drop its cruel and illegal use of the colonial practice of administrative detention and other administrative punitive measures and form an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate the severe and illegal violations committed by the IPS (Israeli Prison Service)."
Furthermore, Palestinian human rights organization Addameer has estimated that somewhere around 183 Palestinians are currently being held under administrative detention conditions, without charge or trial.
Over 800,000 Palestinians have been detained since 1967, with 5,224 currently being held in Israeli prisons, by the PLO's calculations.
A spokesman for IPS could not be immediately reached for comment.
According to Ma'an News Agency, the prisoners are among hundreds who are now refusing meals in act of solidarity with administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike for 41 days.
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, of the PLO Executive Committee, said that the strikers "represent the most selfless struggle for justice and freedom in Palestine and that the ongoing hunger strike exposes "the cruelty and illegality of the ongoing illegal occupation, particularly in relation to the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails."
Ashrawi has called on the international community to pressure Israel in meeting the strikers' demands, Ma'an further reports:
"The deafening silence from the international media and some official circles regarding the hundreds of Palestinian prisoner hunger strikers is inexcusable," she said.
"We call on all states, members of the press, and people of conscience to pressure Israel to drop its cruel and illegal use of the colonial practice of administrative detention and other administrative punitive measures and form an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate the severe and illegal violations committed by the IPS (Israeli Prison Service)."
Furthermore, Palestinian human rights organization Addameer has estimated that somewhere around 183 Palestinians are currently being held under administrative detention conditions, without charge or trial.
Over 800,000 Palestinians have been detained since 1967, with 5,224 currently being held in Israeli prisons, by the PLO's calculations.
A spokesman for IPS could not be immediately reached for comment.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian man near the gate of Beit El army camp to the north of Ramallah on Tuesday for allegedly trying to attack soldiers. The Israeli TV channel 10 reported that the Palestinian man was carrying a knife and shouting “Allahu Akbar” at the entrance to the camp.
It added that the soldiers controlled and detained the man without any casualties being suffered.
A Palestinian youth was killed at the hands of IOF soldiers at Za’tara roadblock to the south of Nablus on Monday night after shooting at them and lightly injuring one of the soldiers.
Israeli forces detain Palestinian student north of Ramallah
Israeli forces late Tuesday arrested a Palestinian student north of Ramallah, security sources said.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers arrested 20-year-old Eyhab Khaled Atiyani, claiming he carried a knife as he approached an Israeli military base near the illegal settlement of Beit El.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Atiyani is a student of medicine at al-Quds university in Abu Dis.
It added that the soldiers controlled and detained the man without any casualties being suffered.
A Palestinian youth was killed at the hands of IOF soldiers at Za’tara roadblock to the south of Nablus on Monday night after shooting at them and lightly injuring one of the soldiers.
Israeli forces detain Palestinian student north of Ramallah
Israeli forces late Tuesday arrested a Palestinian student north of Ramallah, security sources said.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers arrested 20-year-old Eyhab Khaled Atiyani, claiming he carried a knife as he approached an Israeli military base near the illegal settlement of Beit El.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Atiyani is a student of medicine at al-Quds university in Abu Dis.
