30 may 2016
Arrest of suspects extended for three days; suspects' lawyer says evidence to issue an indictment still has not come to light; meanwhile, Tel Aviv judge says police submit document strengthening case against the suspects.
Tel Aviv's Magistrate’s Court extended the arrest of two Palestinians suspected of raping a young mentally disabled Jewish girl. Despite initial reports claiming that the rape was nationalistically motivated, Police Spokesperson Meirav Lapidot said yesterday that the police does not deal with suspects of nationalistically motivated crimes.
The police request to extend the suspects' arrest noted racism as the possible cause.
A police representative had already told a hearing this morning that they are ruling out nationalistic motivations. However, shortly thereafter, the police changed its assessment again: “Until the third suspect is arrested, we ask that suspicion of the nationalistic motivation not be ruled out.” Moreover, despite the primary suspect telling the court that “I did not do anything,” his arrest was extended for three days.
Ophir Katavi of the Public Defender’s Office thanked the police, which “allowed the issue of nationalistic motivation to be put to the side.” He added, “The suspect was in Israel with a legal permit and he fathers children. And now as a result of a dispute with neighbors, he is here (in court).”
Katavi stated further. “Until today, evidence to issue an indictment has not come to light and as time passes, the police are not succeeding in finding evidence that specifically refers them to the suspects.”
Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz said in her ruling that the plaintiff argued that the suspects threatened her in order to humiliate and frighten her. “She basically said that she did not give consent to what was done to her. But the difference between the first and second testimony of the plaintiff cannot be ignored,” said Poznanski-Katz.
The judge also stated that the police presented an additional document that “strengthens the case for the suspect’s involvement the perpetration of the crime, when viewed in tandem with the testimony of the plaintiff.”
The Prime Minister’s Facebook Post
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caused a stir when he accused “the press and political system” of not condemning the “nationalistic rape” on his Facebook page. However, the police had chosen to avoid publicizing the case, even though they usually inform crime reporters about cases of such severity.
Netanyahu wrote on his facebook page, “This is a shocking crime that calls out for wall-to-wall condemnation," the Prime Minister wrote on Thursday, "but for some reason such condemnation hasn't been heard – not in the media and not across the political system. We can only imagine what would have happened in the reverse case. We will charge the highest price, and use the full extent of the law against all those involved in this cruel incident."
On Friday, the PM published another post in which he acknowledged that the timing of his remarks had been inappropriate. "Regarding the post I published yesterday: The case, as reported, awakened deep pain and shock in me. Even so, it was not right for me to speak about it before the investigation was concluded, and I am sorry for that."
The two suspects are denying connections stated in reports indcating their involvement in the rape and the police are still carrying out its investigations. According to the plaintiff, the third suspect, who is still at-large, filmed the rape. A manhunt for him is ongoing.
Tel Aviv's Magistrate’s Court extended the arrest of two Palestinians suspected of raping a young mentally disabled Jewish girl. Despite initial reports claiming that the rape was nationalistically motivated, Police Spokesperson Meirav Lapidot said yesterday that the police does not deal with suspects of nationalistically motivated crimes.
The police request to extend the suspects' arrest noted racism as the possible cause.
A police representative had already told a hearing this morning that they are ruling out nationalistic motivations. However, shortly thereafter, the police changed its assessment again: “Until the third suspect is arrested, we ask that suspicion of the nationalistic motivation not be ruled out.” Moreover, despite the primary suspect telling the court that “I did not do anything,” his arrest was extended for three days.
Ophir Katavi of the Public Defender’s Office thanked the police, which “allowed the issue of nationalistic motivation to be put to the side.” He added, “The suspect was in Israel with a legal permit and he fathers children. And now as a result of a dispute with neighbors, he is here (in court).”
Katavi stated further. “Until today, evidence to issue an indictment has not come to light and as time passes, the police are not succeeding in finding evidence that specifically refers them to the suspects.”
Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz said in her ruling that the plaintiff argued that the suspects threatened her in order to humiliate and frighten her. “She basically said that she did not give consent to what was done to her. But the difference between the first and second testimony of the plaintiff cannot be ignored,” said Poznanski-Katz.
The judge also stated that the police presented an additional document that “strengthens the case for the suspect’s involvement the perpetration of the crime, when viewed in tandem with the testimony of the plaintiff.”
The Prime Minister’s Facebook Post
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caused a stir when he accused “the press and political system” of not condemning the “nationalistic rape” on his Facebook page. However, the police had chosen to avoid publicizing the case, even though they usually inform crime reporters about cases of such severity.
Netanyahu wrote on his facebook page, “This is a shocking crime that calls out for wall-to-wall condemnation," the Prime Minister wrote on Thursday, "but for some reason such condemnation hasn't been heard – not in the media and not across the political system. We can only imagine what would have happened in the reverse case. We will charge the highest price, and use the full extent of the law against all those involved in this cruel incident."
On Friday, the PM published another post in which he acknowledged that the timing of his remarks had been inappropriate. "Regarding the post I published yesterday: The case, as reported, awakened deep pain and shock in me. Even so, it was not right for me to speak about it before the investigation was concluded, and I am sorry for that."
The two suspects are denying connections stated in reports indcating their involvement in the rape and the police are still carrying out its investigations. According to the plaintiff, the third suspect, who is still at-large, filmed the rape. A manhunt for him is ongoing.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Monday a Palestinian man from Jenin city to the north of occupied West Bank at Karama crossing on his return from honeymoon in Turkey.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that Rida Jarrar, 35, was arrested at Karama crossing, which links between Jordan and West Bank, while on his way back from Turkey where he was on a tourist trip with his wife.
Jarrar, the elder son of Jenin’s former mayor Hatem Jarrar, was immediately taken to Ofer prison for investigation for unknown reasons.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that Rida Jarrar, 35, was arrested at Karama crossing, which links between Jordan and West Bank, while on his way back from Turkey where he was on a tourist trip with his wife.
Jarrar, the elder son of Jenin’s former mayor Hatem Jarrar, was immediately taken to Ofer prison for investigation for unknown reasons.
A Palestinian minor, aged 17, was detained Monday evening after allegedly carrying out a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, which left an Israeli soldier lightly injured.
Israeli media sources claimed that a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli soldier before being chased and detained by Israeli police.
Israeli police said in a statement that an Israeli soldier was slightly injured after being stabbed by a Palestinian suspect.
The Palestinian allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was chased and apprehended by witnesses who then handed him over to Israeli policemen who took him in for interrogation.
The injured soldier was evacuated to Tel Aviv's Ichilov Medical Center for treatment from where he was expected to be released shortly, and Israeli police imposed tight security measures in area of the incident.
The Israeli police added later the suspected attacker was a 17-year-old Palestinian from the northern occupied West Bank town of Salfit and had "apparently nationalistic" motives. Investigations were ongoing in cooperation with Israel's security service Shin Bet, the statement added.
Israeli Soldier Mildly Injured In Stabbing Attack In Tel Aviv
Israeli military sources have reported that a soldier was mildly injured, on Monday evening, after being stabbed with a screwdriver in Tel Aviv, before he was taken to Ichilov Medical Center for treatment.
Israeli daily Haaretz said a Palestinian, 17 years of age, from the central West Bank city of Salfit, was arrested on suspicion of being behind the attack. It added that the soldiers remained fully conscious after the attack.
The Palestinian teen works in a nearby supermarket, and was suspected of involvement because, according to Israeli reports, was seen running away from the scene, and was moved to an interrogation center.
The stabbing took place near Kirya military base, a known headquarters of the Israeli army.
Israeli media sources claimed that a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli soldier before being chased and detained by Israeli police.
Israeli police said in a statement that an Israeli soldier was slightly injured after being stabbed by a Palestinian suspect.
The Palestinian allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was chased and apprehended by witnesses who then handed him over to Israeli policemen who took him in for interrogation.
The injured soldier was evacuated to Tel Aviv's Ichilov Medical Center for treatment from where he was expected to be released shortly, and Israeli police imposed tight security measures in area of the incident.
The Israeli police added later the suspected attacker was a 17-year-old Palestinian from the northern occupied West Bank town of Salfit and had "apparently nationalistic" motives. Investigations were ongoing in cooperation with Israel's security service Shin Bet, the statement added.
Israeli Soldier Mildly Injured In Stabbing Attack In Tel Aviv
Israeli military sources have reported that a soldier was mildly injured, on Monday evening, after being stabbed with a screwdriver in Tel Aviv, before he was taken to Ichilov Medical Center for treatment.
Israeli daily Haaretz said a Palestinian, 17 years of age, from the central West Bank city of Salfit, was arrested on suspicion of being behind the attack. It added that the soldiers remained fully conscious after the attack.
The Palestinian teen works in a nearby supermarket, and was suspected of involvement because, according to Israeli reports, was seen running away from the scene, and was moved to an interrogation center.
The stabbing took place near Kirya military base, a known headquarters of the Israeli army.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Monday banned a Palestinian family from the Gaza Strip from visiting its imprisoned sons.
The Palestine Prisoners Center quoted As’ad Abu Salah the father of prisoners Fahmi and Asaad as saying that the IOA banned him from visiting his two sons in an Israeli jail.
Abu Salah, an ex-prisoner, was released in the Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal struck with the Israeli occupation some five years ago.
The Red Cross updated Abu Salah on the ban which was reportedly issued against the backdrop of recent tension in the Israeli Nafha jail.
350 Gazans are still held in Israeli jails and regularly denied family visits under the security pretext.
The Palestine Prisoners Center quoted As’ad Abu Salah the father of prisoners Fahmi and Asaad as saying that the IOA banned him from visiting his two sons in an Israeli jail.
Abu Salah, an ex-prisoner, was released in the Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal struck with the Israeli occupation some five years ago.
The Red Cross updated Abu Salah on the ban which was reportedly issued against the backdrop of recent tension in the Israeli Nafha jail.
350 Gazans are still held in Israeli jails and regularly denied family visits under the security pretext.
The Palestinian Prisoner Center for Studies (PPCS) on Monday staged a sit-in outside the Red Cross headquarters in al-Khalil city in protest at the latter's decision to reduce the number of prison visits for Palestinian families.
Director of the center Osama Shahin described in remarks during the sit-in the Red Cross's decision as consistent with Israel's repressive policies against the Palestinian prisoners in its jails.
Shahin affirmed that the prisoners had fought a long battle of hunger strikes and negotiations with their jailers to obtain two family visits every month, and such a step by the Red Cross would deal a blow to their achievement.
He told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that this decision was condemned by many human rights groups, warning the Red Cross that there would be other protests against its step.
The Red Cross has announced that it would organize every month one prison visit only for the relatives of prisoners instead of two visits as usual. The Red Cross is the international body that obtain visitation permits for the families of prisoners.
Director of the center Osama Shahin described in remarks during the sit-in the Red Cross's decision as consistent with Israel's repressive policies against the Palestinian prisoners in its jails.
Shahin affirmed that the prisoners had fought a long battle of hunger strikes and negotiations with their jailers to obtain two family visits every month, and such a step by the Red Cross would deal a blow to their achievement.
He told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that this decision was condemned by many human rights groups, warning the Red Cross that there would be other protests against its step.
The Red Cross has announced that it would organize every month one prison visit only for the relatives of prisoners instead of two visits as usual. The Red Cross is the international body that obtain visitation permits for the families of prisoners.
The Israeli Central Court in Occupied Jerusalem on Monday sentenced six Palestinian young activists to jail on allegations of involvement in anti-occupation activism.
Head of the Jerusalemite Prisoners’ Families Committee said the Israeli court issued oppressive verdicts sentencing four Palestinians, arrested in 2014, to jail on charges of defending the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
The court also ruled for sentencing 20-year-old Ibrahim Ali al-Natsha to nine years in jail and Majd Maher al-Kurki, 23, to eight years and a fine.
21-year-old Muhammad Azmi Bakri was sentenced to seven years and a half in jail and a bail while prisoner Muhammad Amjad Jaber, 20, received a 29-month prison-term.
Another prison sentence was issued against Hamza Jabr al-Abassi, 20, on charges of throwing Molotov Cocktails near illegal settlement outposts.
The same court sentenced 19-year-old Youssef Rebhi Rajabi, who was arrested on November 24 last year, to nine years in jail on charges of planning for an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
Head of the Jerusalemite Prisoners’ Families Committee said the Israeli court issued oppressive verdicts sentencing four Palestinians, arrested in 2014, to jail on charges of defending the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
The court also ruled for sentencing 20-year-old Ibrahim Ali al-Natsha to nine years in jail and Majd Maher al-Kurki, 23, to eight years and a fine.
21-year-old Muhammad Azmi Bakri was sentenced to seven years and a half in jail and a bail while prisoner Muhammad Amjad Jaber, 20, received a 29-month prison-term.
Another prison sentence was issued against Hamza Jabr al-Abassi, 20, on charges of throwing Molotov Cocktails near illegal settlement outposts.
The same court sentenced 19-year-old Youssef Rebhi Rajabi, who was arrested on November 24 last year, to nine years in jail on charges of planning for an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said that prisoners in Nafha jail set fire to a mattress in one of the cells in section 1 in protest at the suppression they were exposed to at the hands of soldiers on Sunday.
Soldiers from the prison takeover unit, Masada, violently stormed section 4 of the prison yesterday and quelled its inmates during their transfer to section 1.
PPS added that a number of prisoners in the jail suffered from inhaling tear gas, without providing further details.
Soldiers from the prison takeover unit, Masada, violently stormed section 4 of the prison yesterday and quelled its inmates during their transfer to section 1.
PPS added that a number of prisoners in the jail suffered from inhaling tear gas, without providing further details.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) ruled for deporting the Palestinian youth Kareem Faysal Abu Khdheir to the U.S. following the end of his prison-term on Monday.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the IOA turned down Kareem’s appeals to cancel the deportation order so as to continue preparations for his marriage.
Kareem, from the Shu’fat refugee camp, was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on September 5, 2015 following clashes with the occupation troops.
Right before the detention, Kareem was subjected to heavy beating by the IOF and sustained critical bruises in his chest, face, and teeth.
The IOA extended his remand several times despite his deteriorated health status.
Deliberations and hearings held by the Israeli Magistrate’s court over the past four months culminated in a verdict that condemned Abu Khdheir, a holder of American citizenship, of involvement in Jerusalem demonstrations and sentenced him to nine months and a fine of 8,000 shekels.
Born and raised in the U.S. since October 2, 1983, Kareem Abu Khdheir popped in the occupied Palestinian territories on August 28, 2015 for the first time to get married. He had been held for nine months in the Negev jail on allegations of resisting detention, attacking an Israeli border guard, and joining anti-occupation demos.
“The Israeli occupation marred the happiness Kareem and the whole family were longing for,” his mother told a PIC journalist. “We were making the final touches for my son’s wedding day when the IOA slapped the deportation order.”
saw“The IOA reneged on its promises to extend the validity of Kareem’s visa for one week despite the family’s approval to pay 70,000 shekels to that very end,” the mother was quoted as further stating.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the IOA turned down Kareem’s appeals to cancel the deportation order so as to continue preparations for his marriage.
Kareem, from the Shu’fat refugee camp, was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces on September 5, 2015 following clashes with the occupation troops.
Right before the detention, Kareem was subjected to heavy beating by the IOF and sustained critical bruises in his chest, face, and teeth.
The IOA extended his remand several times despite his deteriorated health status.
Deliberations and hearings held by the Israeli Magistrate’s court over the past four months culminated in a verdict that condemned Abu Khdheir, a holder of American citizenship, of involvement in Jerusalem demonstrations and sentenced him to nine months and a fine of 8,000 shekels.
Born and raised in the U.S. since October 2, 1983, Kareem Abu Khdheir popped in the occupied Palestinian territories on August 28, 2015 for the first time to get married. He had been held for nine months in the Negev jail on allegations of resisting detention, attacking an Israeli border guard, and joining anti-occupation demos.
“The Israeli occupation marred the happiness Kareem and the whole family were longing for,” his mother told a PIC journalist. “We were making the final touches for my son’s wedding day when the IOA slapped the deportation order.”
saw“The IOA reneged on its promises to extend the validity of Kareem’s visa for one week despite the family’s approval to pay 70,000 shekels to that very end,” the mother was quoted as further stating.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, the northern West Bank district of Nablus, violently searched homes, and kidnapped eleven Palestinians, including a woman. On Sunday evening, the soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians near Jenin, and confiscated twelve tractors.
The PPS said that the soldiers invaded Beit Forik town, southeast of Nablus, searched homes and kidnapped Shadi Ali Mleitat, 33, and his wife Mais Mahmoud Mleitat, 28, after invading their home and searching it.
The Palestinian People’s Party (PPS) in Nablus has reported that the soldiers also stormed and ransacked the home of one of its political leaders, identified as Sami Zalmout.
The soldiers also invaded Salem village, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, violently searched the homes of Fakhri Yousef Hamdan, and his son Khattab.
The soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Khalil Mustafa Hamdan, and his son Menhil.
The PPS said that the soldiers assaulted Hamdan’s other son, Samuel, causing various cuts and bruises.
In addition, the army invaded Deir al-Hatab village, east of Nablus, searched many homes and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Amjad Mahmoud Odeh (secretary of Fateh movement in the village), Majed Mahmoud Odeh, 41, and Mohammad Hamad Odeh, 27.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Rojeeb village, east of Nablus, broke into and searched many homes and kidnapped four Palestinians.
The head of Rojeeb Village Council Awni Dweikat, said the kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Mahmoud Abu Aisha, Ma’zouz Ahmad Rawajba, Waleed Saleem Rawajba, and Marouf Ahmad Dweikat.
In addition, the PPS said the soldiers invaded homes belonging to Saif Hamdan Rawajba, Raslan Rawajba and Jamal Halabi, in addition to smashing the doors of two meat shops, belonging to residents Marouf Dweikat and Hamadan Rawajba, in the center of the town, and searched them.
In related news, the soldiers invaded various communities in the West Bank districts of Bethlehem and Jenin, and kidnapped five Palestinians; four including a child in Bethlehem, and one in Jenin.
On Sunday evening, the soldiers invaded Msalya village, south of Jenin, confiscated twelve tractors belonging to the villagers, and kidnapped a father, identified as Raed Yahya ‘Alawna, and his son Yahya.
The PPS said that the soldiers invaded Beit Forik town, southeast of Nablus, searched homes and kidnapped Shadi Ali Mleitat, 33, and his wife Mais Mahmoud Mleitat, 28, after invading their home and searching it.
The Palestinian People’s Party (PPS) in Nablus has reported that the soldiers also stormed and ransacked the home of one of its political leaders, identified as Sami Zalmout.
The soldiers also invaded Salem village, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, violently searched the homes of Fakhri Yousef Hamdan, and his son Khattab.
The soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Khalil Mustafa Hamdan, and his son Menhil.
The PPS said that the soldiers assaulted Hamdan’s other son, Samuel, causing various cuts and bruises.
In addition, the army invaded Deir al-Hatab village, east of Nablus, searched many homes and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Amjad Mahmoud Odeh (secretary of Fateh movement in the village), Majed Mahmoud Odeh, 41, and Mohammad Hamad Odeh, 27.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Rojeeb village, east of Nablus, broke into and searched many homes and kidnapped four Palestinians.
The head of Rojeeb Village Council Awni Dweikat, said the kidnapped Palestinians have been identified as Mahmoud Abu Aisha, Ma’zouz Ahmad Rawajba, Waleed Saleem Rawajba, and Marouf Ahmad Dweikat.
In addition, the PPS said the soldiers invaded homes belonging to Saif Hamdan Rawajba, Raslan Rawajba and Jamal Halabi, in addition to smashing the doors of two meat shops, belonging to residents Marouf Dweikat and Hamadan Rawajba, in the center of the town, and searched them.
In related news, the soldiers invaded various communities in the West Bank districts of Bethlehem and Jenin, and kidnapped five Palestinians; four including a child in Bethlehem, and one in Jenin.
On Sunday evening, the soldiers invaded Msalya village, south of Jenin, confiscated twelve tractors belonging to the villagers, and kidnapped a father, identified as Raed Yahya ‘Alawna, and his son Yahya.
Ten years of banishment from the occupied holy city of Jerusalem did not kill the dream of return in the hearts of the three Jerusalemite MPs and former minister in the tenth Palestinian Authority government; whom the occupation deported their bodies but not their hearts from Jerusalem, and did not stop their unwavering certainty of return.
Ten years have passed since the decision of the Israeli former interior minister Uri Bar-On to force the Jerusalemite MPs Mohammad Abu Teir, Ahmed Attoun and Mohammed Totah, and former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs in the tenth Palestinian government Khaled Abu Arafa, to choose between resigning from their positions in the Legislative Council and the government, or the confiscation of their personal residency IDs and documents, under the pretext of "lack of loyalty to the state of Israel", and giving them the time period of one month to choose one of the two choices.
Over ten years have passed on this decision, the Palestinian Information Center highlights the case of the Jerusalemite MPs and minister exiled from the city, their feelings towards it, and the updates on their case presented before the Israeli Supreme Court and how they practice their daily lives and their work. MP Sheikh Mohammed Abu Teir, however, has been re-arrested on 29-1-2016.
He has spent a total of 34 years in Israeli jails so far, and still languishes behind its bars.
Waiting for the verdict
Abu Arafa told the PIC: "My colleagues, the three members of the Legislative Council had won the elections for the city of Jerusalem on 25-1-2006, and I have been appointed as a minister for Jerusalem affairs on 28-3-2006.
Before the month period which the occupation gave us to choose between sticking to our national positions or resigning had ended, the Israeli occupation government arrested us on 29-6-2006, on the background of an explosion allegedly engineered by the Palestinian resistance in Tel Aviv, and the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on 24-6-2006”.
He stressed that the election results that were contrary to the expectations of the of the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) were the reason for the occupation's decision to launch a relentless campaign of arrests resulting in the arrest of 45 deputies and nine ministers and a number of mayors.
This campaign affected the Palestinian democracy, and hit the Palestinian unit, he elaborated. Abu Arafa said: "After four years of imprisonment, we were released in 2010, the Israeli occupation police gave us a month to leave the city of Jerusalem but we did not.
When the month period ended, the authorities arrested Sheikh Abu Teir from his home town of Sur Baher. The rest of us decided to protest against the occupation measures against us, so we pitched a sit-in tent inside the Red Cross headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood for nine months, then the occupation authorities raided the headquarters and arrested us on 23-1-2012, and we were imprisoned for two more years.”
As for the condition of the case in the Israeli courts, Abu Arafa said, "It lasted more than nine years in the Israeli Supreme Court … numerous appeals were made to postpone the withdrawal of residence cards (the blue ID), overturn the whole decision, or allow us to remain in the city of Jerusalem until the judgment in the case is passed. However, the Supreme Court refused all appeals".
The case file is still in the Israeli Supreme Court for the ninth month of the ninth year in a row, waiting for a decision.
Ten years have passed since the decision of the Israeli former interior minister Uri Bar-On to force the Jerusalemite MPs Mohammad Abu Teir, Ahmed Attoun and Mohammed Totah, and former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs in the tenth Palestinian government Khaled Abu Arafa, to choose between resigning from their positions in the Legislative Council and the government, or the confiscation of their personal residency IDs and documents, under the pretext of "lack of loyalty to the state of Israel", and giving them the time period of one month to choose one of the two choices.
Over ten years have passed on this decision, the Palestinian Information Center highlights the case of the Jerusalemite MPs and minister exiled from the city, their feelings towards it, and the updates on their case presented before the Israeli Supreme Court and how they practice their daily lives and their work. MP Sheikh Mohammed Abu Teir, however, has been re-arrested on 29-1-2016.
He has spent a total of 34 years in Israeli jails so far, and still languishes behind its bars.
Waiting for the verdict
Abu Arafa told the PIC: "My colleagues, the three members of the Legislative Council had won the elections for the city of Jerusalem on 25-1-2006, and I have been appointed as a minister for Jerusalem affairs on 28-3-2006.
Before the month period which the occupation gave us to choose between sticking to our national positions or resigning had ended, the Israeli occupation government arrested us on 29-6-2006, on the background of an explosion allegedly engineered by the Palestinian resistance in Tel Aviv, and the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on 24-6-2006”.
He stressed that the election results that were contrary to the expectations of the of the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) were the reason for the occupation's decision to launch a relentless campaign of arrests resulting in the arrest of 45 deputies and nine ministers and a number of mayors.
This campaign affected the Palestinian democracy, and hit the Palestinian unit, he elaborated. Abu Arafa said: "After four years of imprisonment, we were released in 2010, the Israeli occupation police gave us a month to leave the city of Jerusalem but we did not.
When the month period ended, the authorities arrested Sheikh Abu Teir from his home town of Sur Baher. The rest of us decided to protest against the occupation measures against us, so we pitched a sit-in tent inside the Red Cross headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood for nine months, then the occupation authorities raided the headquarters and arrested us on 23-1-2012, and we were imprisoned for two more years.”
As for the condition of the case in the Israeli courts, Abu Arafa said, "It lasted more than nine years in the Israeli Supreme Court … numerous appeals were made to postpone the withdrawal of residence cards (the blue ID), overturn the whole decision, or allow us to remain in the city of Jerusalem until the judgment in the case is passed. However, the Supreme Court refused all appeals".
The case file is still in the Israeli Supreme Court for the ninth month of the ninth year in a row, waiting for a decision.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) allowed Monday morning 42 Gazans to visit their relatives held in Nafha prison.
Speaking to a PIC reporter, spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross Suhair Zaqout revealed that 42 Gazan residents including 11 children were allowed to pass through Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing to visit their relatives in Nafha prison.
Nearly 7,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails including 380 prisoners from Gaza Strip.
Speaking to a PIC reporter, spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross Suhair Zaqout revealed that 42 Gazan residents including 11 children were allowed to pass through Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing to visit their relatives in Nafha prison.
Nearly 7,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails including 380 prisoners from Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Intelligence Service summoned Monday morning the slain Palestinian Muhanad Halabi’s mother for investigation in Salem military camp west of Jenin.
The PIC reporter quoted local sources as affirming that Israeli authorities summoned Halabi’s mother to Salem military camp for unknown reasons.
Muhanad Halabi was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers for carrying out a stabbing attack in occupied Jerusalem last October, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring three others.
The PIC reporter quoted local sources as affirming that Israeli authorities summoned Halabi’s mother to Salem military camp for unknown reasons.
Muhanad Halabi was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers for carrying out a stabbing attack in occupied Jerusalem last October, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring three others.
Israeli Prosecution General demanded the Israeli Central Court in Haifa to cancel the citizenship of the Palestinian Alaa Zeyoud from Umm al-Fahm.
This came after Israeli Prosecution had submitted an indictment against him to the court charging him of involvement in a security offense last October.
Israeli sources revealed that this step was made based on an order by Israeli Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri, and the endorsement of the Israeli attorney general.
Adalah Center and Citizen Rights Association announced their intention to appeal the demand at court and consider it as an extreme step and a violation of human rights.
Both institutions sent a letter in March in which they called Deri not to take this step. "The cancellation of the citizenship is a racist brutal resolution based on no legal accounts.
If he was a Jew, the Interior Ministry would not suggest the cancellation of his citizenship”, lawyers of both institutions said.
This came after Israeli Prosecution had submitted an indictment against him to the court charging him of involvement in a security offense last October.
Israeli sources revealed that this step was made based on an order by Israeli Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri, and the endorsement of the Israeli attorney general.
Adalah Center and Citizen Rights Association announced their intention to appeal the demand at court and consider it as an extreme step and a violation of human rights.
Both institutions sent a letter in March in which they called Deri not to take this step. "The cancellation of the citizenship is a racist brutal resolution based on no legal accounts.
If he was a Jew, the Interior Ministry would not suggest the cancellation of his citizenship”, lawyers of both institutions said.
Israeli police, in large numbers, broke into the home of the Palestinian human rights activist Munir Mansour in Majd al-Kroum village north of 1948 Occupied Palestine.
They wreaked havoc in the house and searched it thoroughly claiming that they were looking for documents and other stuff.
Captive Mansour, Head of the Detainees and Ex-detainees Union in 1948 Occupied Palestine, said in a statement that breaking into his home was previously repeated on several past occasions.
The raid had political objectives within the Israeli policy of targeting the Arab citizens, he underlined. Mansour was arrested in 1972-1985 and rearrested in 1989. He was then released in 1996 under the condition of house arrest.
They wreaked havoc in the house and searched it thoroughly claiming that they were looking for documents and other stuff.
Captive Mansour, Head of the Detainees and Ex-detainees Union in 1948 Occupied Palestine, said in a statement that breaking into his home was previously repeated on several past occasions.
The raid had political objectives within the Israeli policy of targeting the Arab citizens, he underlined. Mansour was arrested in 1972-1985 and rearrested in 1989. He was then released in 1996 under the condition of house arrest.
Families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails along with institutions concerned with prisoners started staging protest steps demanding the international Red Cross to cancel its decision of restricting family visitations from two times to once a month.
Palestinian Prisoner Society revealed on Sunday that a protest letter was submitted to the Red Cross representative in Tubas.
Other protest steps will follow in other West Bank governorates during the next week, the society pointed out.
Palestinian Prisoner Society revealed on Sunday that a protest letter was submitted to the Red Cross representative in Tubas.
Other protest steps will follow in other West Bank governorates during the next week, the society pointed out.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided at dawn Monday Jenin refugee camp and the neighboring towns. Two citizens were arrested during the raid.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly ten Israeli military vehicles stormed at 4 a.m. Jenin camp and arrested a young man after breaking into and violently searching his house.
Similar raid and search operations were carried out in the neighboring towns of Barqin and Massalya.
A second young man, from Joba town south of Jenin, was also detained while being in Haifa city within the Green Line.
In Nablus, Israeli forces carried out a large-scale raid and search campaign in a number of towns east of the city. The raid campaign lasted till morning hours.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers were deployed in several neighborhoods of Beit Furik town. A man and his wife were arrested in Beit Furik, while four other detainees were reported in Rujeib towns.
Two more detainees were arrested in Deir Hatab town. Dozens of local homes were violently stormed during the campaign, where tiles were uprooted and the furniture was damaged. Israeli forces claimed that they are looking for weapons.
Meanwhile, four citizens were arrested from al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly ten Israeli military vehicles stormed at 4 a.m. Jenin camp and arrested a young man after breaking into and violently searching his house.
Similar raid and search operations were carried out in the neighboring towns of Barqin and Massalya.
A second young man, from Joba town south of Jenin, was also detained while being in Haifa city within the Green Line.
In Nablus, Israeli forces carried out a large-scale raid and search campaign in a number of towns east of the city. The raid campaign lasted till morning hours.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers were deployed in several neighborhoods of Beit Furik town. A man and his wife were arrested in Beit Furik, while four other detainees were reported in Rujeib towns.
Two more detainees were arrested in Deir Hatab town. Dozens of local homes were violently stormed during the campaign, where tiles were uprooted and the furniture was damaged. Israeli forces claimed that they are looking for weapons.
Meanwhile, four citizens were arrested from al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
