29 mar 2020

London-based EuroPal Forum on Sunday called on European governments and parliaments to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to take the necessary measures to protect Palestinian detainees in their jails against the coronavirus disease.
The forum in a press statement expressed its concern over recent Israeli measures against Palestinian detainees, including removing cleaning products from the prison canteens.
The forum also noted that Israeli prison guards regularly raid the prison cells without wearing protective gloves and masks, which poses a threat to the lives of Palestinian prisoners especially with the outbreak of coronavirus among Israeli jailers and interrogators.
The forum's statement underlined that about 5000 Palestinians, including 43 women, 180 minors, 430 administrative detainees and 700 prisoners with health problems, are being held in Israeli jails in poor conditions.
EuroPal called for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails before it is too late.
The forum in a press statement expressed its concern over recent Israeli measures against Palestinian detainees, including removing cleaning products from the prison canteens.
The forum also noted that Israeli prison guards regularly raid the prison cells without wearing protective gloves and masks, which poses a threat to the lives of Palestinian prisoners especially with the outbreak of coronavirus among Israeli jailers and interrogators.
The forum's statement underlined that about 5000 Palestinians, including 43 women, 180 minors, 430 administrative detainees and 700 prisoners with health problems, are being held in Israeli jails in poor conditions.
EuroPal called for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails before it is too late.

Israeli police forces, at dawn Sunday, invaded the occupied city of East Jerusalem, storming a number of Palestinian neighborhoods, according to local sources.
Palestinian sources and witnesses said that Israeli police forces invaded through out Saturday night and early on Sunday, al-‘Isawiya village and stormed a number of neighborhoods.
Sources added that upon their invasion, crowds of Palestinian residents took to the streets, in protest, as Israeli police fired tear-gas canisters and sound grenades, to disperse them.
It was noted that the police forces broke into several Palestinian homes in the village, which is located in northeastern Jerusalem, and abducted one Palestinian, identified as Ayham Dary, 32.
Along with the abduction of Dary, the police stormed the homes of Palestinian youth, who have been ordered by the Israeli authorities to remain under house arrest.
Witnesses told media outlets that dozens of local youths protested the Israeli police invasion by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails as a means of resistance. No injuries were reported.
For many years now, Israeli police in the occupied city of East Jerusalem, have frequently invaded Arab-Palestinian localities, conducting inspections of homes and abducted Palestinian men, women and children.
Over the past couple of months, such Israeli practices have been reportedly increased, since the US Trump administration announced, it’s so-called vision for peace between Palestinians and Israelis, known as ‘the deal of the century’.
Palestinians, at both the official and popular levels, have rejected this vision vehemently, as it was a one sided deal, for the benefit of the occupation state of Israel.
Palestinian sources and witnesses said that Israeli police forces invaded through out Saturday night and early on Sunday, al-‘Isawiya village and stormed a number of neighborhoods.
Sources added that upon their invasion, crowds of Palestinian residents took to the streets, in protest, as Israeli police fired tear-gas canisters and sound grenades, to disperse them.
It was noted that the police forces broke into several Palestinian homes in the village, which is located in northeastern Jerusalem, and abducted one Palestinian, identified as Ayham Dary, 32.
Along with the abduction of Dary, the police stormed the homes of Palestinian youth, who have been ordered by the Israeli authorities to remain under house arrest.
Witnesses told media outlets that dozens of local youths protested the Israeli police invasion by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails as a means of resistance. No injuries were reported.
For many years now, Israeli police in the occupied city of East Jerusalem, have frequently invaded Arab-Palestinian localities, conducting inspections of homes and abducted Palestinian men, women and children.
Over the past couple of months, such Israeli practices have been reportedly increased, since the US Trump administration announced, it’s so-called vision for peace between Palestinians and Israelis, known as ‘the deal of the century’.
Palestinians, at both the official and popular levels, have rejected this vision vehemently, as it was a one sided deal, for the benefit of the occupation state of Israel.

Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Sunday decided to extend the administrative detention of Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil, 26, for four months.
According to Prisoners Media Office, al-Tawil, a resident of Ramallah in the West Bank, was arrested by the IOA in December 2019 and has been held captive ever since without charge or trial.
Al-Tawil is one of over 40 Palestinian women and girls held in Israeli jails.
According to Prisoners Media Office, al-Tawil, a resident of Ramallah in the West Bank, was arrested by the IOA in December 2019 and has been held captive ever since without charge or trial.
Al-Tawil is one of over 40 Palestinian women and girls held in Israeli jails.

The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Sunday extended the administrative detention of Palestinian lawmaker Hasan Yousef for another four months.
MP Yousef was supposed to be released on Tuesday, March 31, after spending about one year in administrative detention, according to his son Owais.
Yousef had been kidnaped from his home in Ramallah city on April 2, 2019, and a few days later he was jailed administratively for six renewable months.
The Hamas official only spent a few months outside Israeli jails after his release last October 2018 following 10 months in administrative detention.
MP Yousef was supposed to be released on Tuesday, March 31, after spending about one year in administrative detention, according to his son Owais.
Yousef had been kidnaped from his home in Ramallah city on April 2, 2019, and a few days later he was jailed administratively for six renewable months.
The Hamas official only spent a few months outside Israeli jails after his release last October 2018 following 10 months in administrative detention.

Asra Media Office has accused the Israeli occupation state of intentionally neglecting the Palestinian prisoners and their lives in its jails and not providing them with the minimum health rights, especially during the coronavirus outbreak.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), spokesman for Asra Media Ali al-Maghrabi said that the occupation state had never cared about the lives of prisoners before or after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, warning that the arbitrary policies used in jails “are jeopardizing the lives of prisoners.”
“To date, the occupation authority has not taken the necessary precautions to protect more than 5,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, including women, elderlies, children and sick prisoners,” Maghrabi said.
Maghrabi appealed to local, Arab and international human rights groups to pressure the occupation authority to end its indifference and irresponsible attitude towards the Palestinian prisoners in its jails.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), spokesman for Asra Media Ali al-Maghrabi said that the occupation state had never cared about the lives of prisoners before or after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, warning that the arbitrary policies used in jails “are jeopardizing the lives of prisoners.”
“To date, the occupation authority has not taken the necessary precautions to protect more than 5,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, including women, elderlies, children and sick prisoners,” Maghrabi said.
Maghrabi appealed to local, Arab and international human rights groups to pressure the occupation authority to end its indifference and irresponsible attitude towards the Palestinian prisoners in its jails.

Palestinian and Arab activists have launched a media campaign to save the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails from the danger of coronavirus.
The campaign, which started on Saturday, would use local radio stations and Twitter hashtags to support the Palestinian prisoners and demand their release to protect them against any potential spread of coronavirus.
The activists said their campaign is aimed at drawing the world’s attention to Israel’s neglect of the prisoners’ health condition and exposing its measures that might lead to a virus outbreak among them.
The campaigners also intend to send letters to human rights institutions, governments, parliaments and political parties around the world to urge them to work on having Palestinian prisoners released — especially patients, elderlies, children and women — sending medical commissions periodically to jails and improving their incarceration conditions.
62 official and private institutions from around the world, including societies, unions and media outlets, have participated in the campaign.
The campaign, which started on Saturday, would use local radio stations and Twitter hashtags to support the Palestinian prisoners and demand their release to protect them against any potential spread of coronavirus.
The activists said their campaign is aimed at drawing the world’s attention to Israel’s neglect of the prisoners’ health condition and exposing its measures that might lead to a virus outbreak among them.
The campaigners also intend to send letters to human rights institutions, governments, parliaments and political parties around the world to urge them to work on having Palestinian prisoners released — especially patients, elderlies, children and women — sending medical commissions periodically to jails and improving their incarceration conditions.
62 official and private institutions from around the world, including societies, unions and media outlets, have participated in the campaign.

Family of the Palestinian detainee Israa Ja'abis on Saturday said that they have been prevented from communicating with their injured daughter by the Israeli occupation authorities even through phone calls for over three weeks.
Ja'abis's sister said that the Israeli occupation authorities three weeks ago decided to suspend family and lawyer visits due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Even phone calls have been banned, she added, denouncing this unjustified measure which has nothing to do with preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Ja'abis's family expressed concern over their daughter's health condition and called on human rights organizations to intervene to pressure the Israel Prison Service to allow them to check on Israa and ensure that it is taking the necessary measures to protect her and other detainees from the pandemic.
Israa Ja'abis, 32, a resident of Jabal al-Mukabber village in Jerusalem and a mother of one child, is serving an 11-year sentence in Israeli jails on charges of attempting to kill an Israeli soldier.
On 11 October 2015, a gas cylinder used for cooking exploded in the back seat of Ja'abis's car near an Israeli checkpoint in Jerusalem, burning over 50% of her body. She was sent to prison even before she completed her treatment and her health condition keeps worsening every new day.
Ja'abis's sister said that the Israeli occupation authorities three weeks ago decided to suspend family and lawyer visits due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Even phone calls have been banned, she added, denouncing this unjustified measure which has nothing to do with preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Ja'abis's family expressed concern over their daughter's health condition and called on human rights organizations to intervene to pressure the Israel Prison Service to allow them to check on Israa and ensure that it is taking the necessary measures to protect her and other detainees from the pandemic.
Israa Ja'abis, 32, a resident of Jabal al-Mukabber village in Jerusalem and a mother of one child, is serving an 11-year sentence in Israeli jails on charges of attempting to kill an Israeli soldier.
On 11 October 2015, a gas cylinder used for cooking exploded in the back seat of Ja'abis's car near an Israeli checkpoint in Jerusalem, burning over 50% of her body. She was sent to prison even before she completed her treatment and her health condition keeps worsening every new day.
28 mar 2020

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday evening wounded four Palestinian citizens and arrested six others during raids on different West Bank areas.
Two Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and three others were detained as the IOF raided a Palestinian village in the West Bank province of al-Khalil.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that the IOF stormed At-Tuwani village and attacked Palestinian residents with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. video
Israeli settlers also attacked the village's shepherds with stones and chased them in the area while protected by IOF soldiers who fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades to ensure the settlers' safety. video video
Meanwhile, two Palestinian youths were injured and two others were arrested when the IOF raided Kafr Qaddum village in Qalqilya province.
Popular resistance activist Murad Shtewi said that the IOF violently stormed Kafr Qaddum and heavily showered Palestinian homes with tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. video video
A number of Palestinians choked on tear gas and were treated in the field and two were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets.
Two brothers aged 13 and 14 were kidnapped by the IOF during the attack. video video
A sixth Palestinian was arrested near his home during a raid on al-Isawiya village east of Occupied Jerusalem.
Two Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and three others were detained as the IOF raided a Palestinian village in the West Bank province of al-Khalil.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that the IOF stormed At-Tuwani village and attacked Palestinian residents with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. video
Israeli settlers also attacked the village's shepherds with stones and chased them in the area while protected by IOF soldiers who fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades to ensure the settlers' safety. video video
Meanwhile, two Palestinian youths were injured and two others were arrested when the IOF raided Kafr Qaddum village in Qalqilya province.
Popular resistance activist Murad Shtewi said that the IOF violently stormed Kafr Qaddum and heavily showered Palestinian homes with tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. video video
A number of Palestinians choked on tear gas and were treated in the field and two were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets.
Two brothers aged 13 and 14 were kidnapped by the IOF during the attack. video video
A sixth Palestinian was arrested near his home during a raid on al-Isawiya village east of Occupied Jerusalem.
27 mar 2020

Palestinian political prisoner in Israeli detention, Shadi Mahmoud Suqia, 38 years old, entered today his 18th year behind bars, said the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS).
Suqia, who comes from the West Bank city of Jenin, was arrested in 2003 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail for his activism in the resistance against the Israeli occupation.
He is one of more than 5,000 Palestinian and Arab prisoners in Israeli jails serving various sentences for resisting the Israeli occupation of their homeland.
Suqia, who comes from the West Bank city of Jenin, was arrested in 2003 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail for his activism in the resistance against the Israeli occupation.
He is one of more than 5,000 Palestinian and Arab prisoners in Israeli jails serving various sentences for resisting the Israeli occupation of their homeland.

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday arrested a Palestinian journalist and attacked citizens during confrontations in Ramallah, Tulkarem and Qalqilya in the West Bank.
Local sources said that violent clashes broke out between IOF soldiers and Palestinian citizens in al-Mazra'a al-Gharbiya village northeast of Ramallah City.
They reported that a Palestinian journalist named Ahmad Abu Qare' was detained during the clashes and transferred to an undeclared destination.
For the fourth day in a row, Shweika village in Tulkarem witnessed clashes between IOF and Palestinian citizens protesting Israeli illegal land seizure in favor of settlement expansion.
The IOF met the protesters with heavy firing of rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas grenades.
Meanwhile in Qalqilya, the IOF violently dispersed the weekly demonstration against the settlement in Kafr Qaddum village.
The IOF attacked the demonstrators with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. A number of Palestinians suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas and were treated in the field.
Local sources said that violent clashes broke out between IOF soldiers and Palestinian citizens in al-Mazra'a al-Gharbiya village northeast of Ramallah City.
They reported that a Palestinian journalist named Ahmad Abu Qare' was detained during the clashes and transferred to an undeclared destination.
For the fourth day in a row, Shweika village in Tulkarem witnessed clashes between IOF and Palestinian citizens protesting Israeli illegal land seizure in favor of settlement expansion.
The IOF met the protesters with heavy firing of rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas grenades.
Meanwhile in Qalqilya, the IOF violently dispersed the weekly demonstration against the settlement in Kafr Qaddum village.
The IOF attacked the demonstrators with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. A number of Palestinians suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas and were treated in the field.

Palestinian prisoner at Israel's Nafha jail Ayman al-Sharbati has been put in solitary confinement and fined 500 NIS over charges of setting fire to a prison room.
The Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission said in a statement on Thursday that the Israel Prison Service decided to hold al-Sharbati in solitary confinement, deprive him of family visits for two months, and fine him 500 NIS and another 3,500 NIS as compensation.
Al-Sharbati on Wednesday set fire to a prison room at Nafha jail burning documents and papers there in protest at the deliberate medical neglect Palestinian detainees are subjected to and the absence of safety measures amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Al-Sharbati, 51, is a resident of al-Khalil City in the West Bank who was detained in 1988 and is serving 100-year sentence in Israeli jails.
The Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission said in a statement on Thursday that the Israel Prison Service decided to hold al-Sharbati in solitary confinement, deprive him of family visits for two months, and fine him 500 NIS and another 3,500 NIS as compensation.
Al-Sharbati on Wednesday set fire to a prison room at Nafha jail burning documents and papers there in protest at the deliberate medical neglect Palestinian detainees are subjected to and the absence of safety measures amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Al-Sharbati, 51, is a resident of al-Khalil City in the West Bank who was detained in 1988 and is serving 100-year sentence in Israeli jails.