9 may 2017
The Prison Authority of the Ohali Kidar, one of Israel’s infamous prisons, has been blackmailing the hunger-striking Palestinian detainees who have are ill or have fallen sick, informing them that they must end their strike before receiving any sort of treatment.
Similar to other detention facilities and prisons where Palestinian detainees are held, the prison clinic at its best is not more than a room with a few beds and some painkilling pills, yet, even that is now being used to blackmail the detainees into ending their strike.
Detainee Haroun Ayyad, who has been striking for the past 23 consecutive days, said that since the hunger strike started on April 17th, even prison “doctors” in Ohali Kidar detention facility, have been bringing various types of food and placing them in front of the detainees, and then “negotiate” with them, telling the hunger strikers that they must eat first to get medical treatment.
The Media Committee of the “Freedom and Dignity Hunger Strike”, formed by the Detainees’ Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), has reported that Israeli prison doctors have turned the clinic in Ohali Kidar prison, into a “showcase” where food is displayed in front of the hunger striking detainees in an attempt to have them end their strike.
Lawyer Khaled Mahajna, who managed to visit Ayyad after several appeals with the Central Court in Beersheba (Be’er as-Sabe’), said that the detainees are held in very small, dirty cells, that lack proper ventilation, and that they have to sleep on the ground.
The detainees are also not allowed out of their cells, not even for one hour a day, and every detainee is only given two blankets, a small mattress, small toothpaste and a toothbrush that seems to have been used or at least not fit for human use.
Fines have also been imposed on many detainees, some amounting to 300 Israeli Shekels, in addition to being denied any visits.
Ayyad told Mahajna that the soldiers break into the detainees’ cells and search them at least three times a day, and force them out of their rooms during the searches, an issue that is impacting the already fatigued hunger striking prisoners.
He added that many detainees encounter very sharp pain if they try to walk or move, even when they have to use the toilets, and yet, are forced out of their rooms every time the soldiers break into them and search them.
It is worth mentioning that after the lawyer filed appeals with the Central Court, they were all rejected, except for the last appeal when he was only allowed to visit Ayyad after lengthy negotiations, but was not allowed to see or talk with any other detainee.
Similar to other detention facilities and prisons where Palestinian detainees are held, the prison clinic at its best is not more than a room with a few beds and some painkilling pills, yet, even that is now being used to blackmail the detainees into ending their strike.
Detainee Haroun Ayyad, who has been striking for the past 23 consecutive days, said that since the hunger strike started on April 17th, even prison “doctors” in Ohali Kidar detention facility, have been bringing various types of food and placing them in front of the detainees, and then “negotiate” with them, telling the hunger strikers that they must eat first to get medical treatment.
The Media Committee of the “Freedom and Dignity Hunger Strike”, formed by the Detainees’ Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), has reported that Israeli prison doctors have turned the clinic in Ohali Kidar prison, into a “showcase” where food is displayed in front of the hunger striking detainees in an attempt to have them end their strike.
Lawyer Khaled Mahajna, who managed to visit Ayyad after several appeals with the Central Court in Beersheba (Be’er as-Sabe’), said that the detainees are held in very small, dirty cells, that lack proper ventilation, and that they have to sleep on the ground.
The detainees are also not allowed out of their cells, not even for one hour a day, and every detainee is only given two blankets, a small mattress, small toothpaste and a toothbrush that seems to have been used or at least not fit for human use.
Fines have also been imposed on many detainees, some amounting to 300 Israeli Shekels, in addition to being denied any visits.
Ayyad told Mahajna that the soldiers break into the detainees’ cells and search them at least three times a day, and force them out of their rooms during the searches, an issue that is impacting the already fatigued hunger striking prisoners.
He added that many detainees encounter very sharp pain if they try to walk or move, even when they have to use the toilets, and yet, are forced out of their rooms every time the soldiers break into them and search them.
It is worth mentioning that after the lawyer filed appeals with the Central Court, they were all rejected, except for the last appeal when he was only allowed to visit Ayyad after lengthy negotiations, but was not allowed to see or talk with any other detainee.
Over 1600 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have entered the 23rd day of their open-ended hunger strike amid escalation procedures pursued by Israeli Prison Service (IPS).
The lawyer of Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee, Karim Ajwa, said that the IPS held trials for a number of the striking captives where different fines were imposed including deprivation of visits and canteen.
The media committee of Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee and Palestinian Prisoner Society said that the hunger striking detainees are not allowed to have personal belongings in the isolation cells. They only have toothbrushes, toothpastes, underwear clothes and the so called “Shabas” prison uniform.
The committee also pointed out that the IPS holds striking detainees in dirty narrow dungeons.
Israeli media escalated incitement practices against the striking captives through spreading rumors and lies in order to undermine prisoners and pressure them to end their hunger strike.
The hunger strikers, however, sent letters from Israeli prisons affirming their steadfastness and going on the open hunger strike until their demands are met.
The lawyer of Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee, Karim Ajwa, said that the IPS held trials for a number of the striking captives where different fines were imposed including deprivation of visits and canteen.
The media committee of Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee and Palestinian Prisoner Society said that the hunger striking detainees are not allowed to have personal belongings in the isolation cells. They only have toothbrushes, toothpastes, underwear clothes and the so called “Shabas” prison uniform.
The committee also pointed out that the IPS holds striking detainees in dirty narrow dungeons.
Israeli media escalated incitement practices against the striking captives through spreading rumors and lies in order to undermine prisoners and pressure them to end their hunger strike.
The hunger strikers, however, sent letters from Israeli prisons affirming their steadfastness and going on the open hunger strike until their demands are met.
Israeli forces detained at least 19 Palestinians in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank between Monday and Tuesday, Palestinian and Israeli sources told Ma’an.
In the district of Qalqiliya, locals said Israeli forces detained Omar Jihad Salim, Jihad Subhi Khreisha, and Ahmad Adel in the village of Jayyus.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed only two detentions in Jayyus to Ma’an, adding that one Palestinian was detained in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the district of Tulkarem.
Elsewhere in the northern West Bank, the Israeli army stated that it had raided three lathe workshops allegedly used for manufacturing weapons in the Nablus-area Balata refugee camp, adding that Israeli forces had sealed off the workshops and confiscated equipment.
In the central West Bank, the Israeli army said four Palestinians were detained in the village of al-Sheikh Saad in the Jerusalem district.
In the Bethlehem district, the Israeli army said three Palestinians were detained in the village of Tuqu. Residents identified one of them as Muhammad Arif al-Umour.
In the southernmost West Bank district of Hebron, locals said that Israeli forces detained Amjad Asim al-Jaabari and Bilal al-Muhtasib in Hebron city, as well as six other Palestinians in the village of Dura -- identified as Imad Jadallah, Munir Abu Sharar, Jaafar Abu Arqoub, Usama Abu Arqoub, Jamal Talahma, and Hussam Yousif al-Amayra.
The army spokesperson said two “Hamas operatives” were detained in the city of Hebron, and only mentioned three detentions -- including of one alleged Hamas member -- in Dura.
Israeli raids in Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps are a daily occurrence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The United Nations recorded an average of 95 weekly raids in the occupied West Bank in 2016, and 70 weekly raids on average thus far in 2017.
According to prisoners’ rights group Addameer, 6,300 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons as of March, including 300 minors and 61 women.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct At Least Fourteen Palestinians In The Occupied West Bank
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, many Palestinian communities in various parts of the occupied West Bank, searched and ransacked dozens of homes, in addition to three lathe workshops, and abducted at least sixteen Palestinians.
The soldiers also summoned one Palestinian, identified as Jom’a Mohammad Abdul-Jalil, 24, from Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem, for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, south of Bethlehem.
In addition, the army invaded three lathe workshops in Balata refugee camp, in the northern West Bank governorate of Nablus, and confiscated their machines, reportedly for “manufacturing weapons.”
Furthermore, the soldiers shot and mildly injured two young Palestinian men, during clashes that erupted after the army invaded Azzoun town, east of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) identified the abducted Palestinians as:
In the district of Qalqiliya, locals said Israeli forces detained Omar Jihad Salim, Jihad Subhi Khreisha, and Ahmad Adel in the village of Jayyus.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed only two detentions in Jayyus to Ma’an, adding that one Palestinian was detained in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the district of Tulkarem.
Elsewhere in the northern West Bank, the Israeli army stated that it had raided three lathe workshops allegedly used for manufacturing weapons in the Nablus-area Balata refugee camp, adding that Israeli forces had sealed off the workshops and confiscated equipment.
In the central West Bank, the Israeli army said four Palestinians were detained in the village of al-Sheikh Saad in the Jerusalem district.
In the Bethlehem district, the Israeli army said three Palestinians were detained in the village of Tuqu. Residents identified one of them as Muhammad Arif al-Umour.
In the southernmost West Bank district of Hebron, locals said that Israeli forces detained Amjad Asim al-Jaabari and Bilal al-Muhtasib in Hebron city, as well as six other Palestinians in the village of Dura -- identified as Imad Jadallah, Munir Abu Sharar, Jaafar Abu Arqoub, Usama Abu Arqoub, Jamal Talahma, and Hussam Yousif al-Amayra.
The army spokesperson said two “Hamas operatives” were detained in the city of Hebron, and only mentioned three detentions -- including of one alleged Hamas member -- in Dura.
Israeli raids in Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps are a daily occurrence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The United Nations recorded an average of 95 weekly raids in the occupied West Bank in 2016, and 70 weekly raids on average thus far in 2017.
According to prisoners’ rights group Addameer, 6,300 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons as of March, including 300 minors and 61 women.
Israeli Soldiers Abduct At Least Fourteen Palestinians In The Occupied West Bank
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, many Palestinian communities in various parts of the occupied West Bank, searched and ransacked dozens of homes, in addition to three lathe workshops, and abducted at least sixteen Palestinians.
The soldiers also summoned one Palestinian, identified as Jom’a Mohammad Abdul-Jalil, 24, from Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem, for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, south of Bethlehem.
In addition, the army invaded three lathe workshops in Balata refugee camp, in the northern West Bank governorate of Nablus, and confiscated their machines, reportedly for “manufacturing weapons.”
Furthermore, the soldiers shot and mildly injured two young Palestinian men, during clashes that erupted after the army invaded Azzoun town, east of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) identified the abducted Palestinians as:
- Emad Jadallah, from Doura – Hebron.
- Monir Abu Sharara, from Doura – Hebron.
- Ja’far Abu ‘Arqoub, from Doura – Hebron.
- Osama Abu ‘Arqoub, from Doura – Hebron.
- Jamal Talahma, from Doura – Hebron.
- Husam Yousef al-‘Amayra, from Doura – Hebron.
- Amjad Essam al-Ja’bari, from Hebron.
- Bilal al-Mohtasib, from Hebron.
- Mohammad Aref al-Amour, 18, Teqoua town – Bethlehem.
- Riyad Aref al-Amour, 14, Teqoua town – Bethlehem.
- Omar Jihad Salim, Jayyous – Qalqilia.
- Jihad Sobhi Khreisha, Jayyous – Qalqilia.
- Ahmad Adel, Jayyous – Qalqilia.
- Sa’id Miskawi, Balata refugee camp, Nablus.
8 may 2017
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed a high school in Taqoa town, east of Bethlehem, and arrested the school headmaster.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers claimed that they were looking for Palestinian youths who allegedly threw stones at settlers’ cars on the road adjacent to the school.
The forces arrested the headmaster, Majed al-Shaer, when he tried to prevent IOF soldiers from raiding classrooms.
Israeli troops were intensively deployed at the entrance of the town while makeshift barriers were erected in the area.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers claimed that they were looking for Palestinian youths who allegedly threw stones at settlers’ cars on the road adjacent to the school.
The forces arrested the headmaster, Majed al-Shaer, when he tried to prevent IOF soldiers from raiding classrooms.
Israeli troops were intensively deployed at the entrance of the town while makeshift barriers were erected in the area.
Israeli soldiers invaded, Monday, the town of Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied East Jerusalem, and abducted a 65-year-old man, the father of a Palestinian teen who was killed by the army in 2011.
The soldiers invaded Sweih neighborhood, in Silwan, broke into the home of Sa’id Ayyash, 65, abducted him before taking him to the al-Maskobiyya interrogated facility.
It is worth mentioning that the abducted man is the father of Milad Sa’id Ayyash, 17, who was killed, on May 14 2011, by a bullet fired by an Israeli colonialist settler in “Yonatan” illegal outpost, in Batn Al Hawa neighborhood, in Silwan.
The soldiers invaded Sweih neighborhood, in Silwan, broke into the home of Sa’id Ayyash, 65, abducted him before taking him to the al-Maskobiyya interrogated facility.
It is worth mentioning that the abducted man is the father of Milad Sa’id Ayyash, 17, who was killed, on May 14 2011, by a bullet fired by an Israeli colonialist settler in “Yonatan” illegal outpost, in Batn Al Hawa neighborhood, in Silwan.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, a young man in Qalqilia city, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, in addition to a child and two siblings from Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem.
The Qalqilia office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said undercover Israeli soldiers infiltrated into the city, abducted Mos’ab Ma’zouz Dallal, 22, and withdrew while military vehicles invaded the city.
The soldiers also invaded Hijja village, east of Qalqilia, and fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers invaded Teqoua’ town, east of the city, searched several homes and abducted Mahmoud Ali Sabah, 18, in addition to Ja’far Yousef Sabah, 22, and his brother Yassin, 18.
The Qalqilia office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said undercover Israeli soldiers infiltrated into the city, abducted Mos’ab Ma’zouz Dallal, 22, and withdrew while military vehicles invaded the city.
The soldiers also invaded Hijja village, east of Qalqilia, and fired several gas bombs and concussion grenades.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers invaded Teqoua’ town, east of the city, searched several homes and abducted Mahmoud Ali Sabah, 18, in addition to Ja’far Yousef Sabah, 22, and his brother Yassin, 18.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, Hebron city, and several nearby communities, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, searched many homes and abducted five Palestinians.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers searched many homes, in various parts of the city, interrogated many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards and adducted Malek Natsha, Amro Obeid, Nader Qawasma, Monjed Nader Qawasmi and Saif Qfeisha.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and searched many homes in al-Bayyada and Erq al-Latoun areas, in addition to Safa Junction area.
Owners of some of the invaded homes have been identified as Issa Safi Sleibi, Ahmad Abu Hashem, Rami Bassam, Ziad Khalil Bader and Ahmad Mahmoud Ekhmayyes.
The soldiers also invaded and ransacked a blacksmith’s workshop in the town, reportedly for being used for “manufacturing weapons.”
The soldiers also summoned Ahmad Khalil Abu Hashem, 50, and Rami Bassam Za’aqeeq, 38, for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, and confiscated the ID card of Abu Hashem’s son, Mohammad, 22.
In addition, the soldiers installed roadblocks at the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, the al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching cars, and interrogated many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers searched many homes, in various parts of the city, interrogated many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards and adducted Malek Natsha, Amro Obeid, Nader Qawasma, Monjed Nader Qawasmi and Saif Qfeisha.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and searched many homes in al-Bayyada and Erq al-Latoun areas, in addition to Safa Junction area.
Owners of some of the invaded homes have been identified as Issa Safi Sleibi, Ahmad Abu Hashem, Rami Bassam, Ziad Khalil Bader and Ahmad Mahmoud Ekhmayyes.
The soldiers also invaded and ransacked a blacksmith’s workshop in the town, reportedly for being used for “manufacturing weapons.”
The soldiers also summoned Ahmad Khalil Abu Hashem, 50, and Rami Bassam Za’aqeeq, 38, for interrogation in Etzion military base and security center, and confiscated the ID card of Abu Hashem’s son, Mohammad, 22.
In addition, the soldiers installed roadblocks at the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, the al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Hebron’s northern entrance, before stopping and searching cars, and interrogated many Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
Israeli soldiers abducted, overnight until early morning hours Monday, at least five Palestinians during massive invasions and violent searches of homes in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
The invasions targeted dozens of homes in many Palestinian areas in the Old City, including Bab Hatta, Sa’diyya, al-Waad, and the African Neighborhood.
The abducted Palestinians have been identified as Mohammad al-Bayyoumi, Mohammad Najeeb, Waheeb al-Qutub, Ala Najeeb and Abdullah al-Julani. They were all moved to the al-Maskobiyya detention and interrogation facility.
It is worth mentioning that clashes took place, on Sunday evening until late-night hours, after the soldiers killed a Palestinian child, identified as Fatima Hajiji, 16, in Bab al-‘Amoud.
The soldiers also assaulted dozens of Palestinians, including worshipers and guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, trying to enter the holy site for evening prayers.
The invasions targeted dozens of homes in many Palestinian areas in the Old City, including Bab Hatta, Sa’diyya, al-Waad, and the African Neighborhood.
The abducted Palestinians have been identified as Mohammad al-Bayyoumi, Mohammad Najeeb, Waheeb al-Qutub, Ala Najeeb and Abdullah al-Julani. They were all moved to the al-Maskobiyya detention and interrogation facility.
It is worth mentioning that clashes took place, on Sunday evening until late-night hours, after the soldiers killed a Palestinian child, identified as Fatima Hajiji, 16, in Bab al-‘Amoud.
The soldiers also assaulted dozens of Palestinians, including worshipers and guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, trying to enter the holy site for evening prayers.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, four young Palestinian men in Far’un village, south of Tulkarem, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The Tulkarem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in the village, interrogated several Palestinians and abducted four.
The abducted Palestinians have been identified as Yousef Wasfi Farkh, 24, Fathi Hatem Bdeir, 25, Fadi Mahmoud Bdeir, 27, and Haitham Ziad ‘Adwan, 26.
Large-scale raids and arrests in West Bank and Jerusalem
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched large-scale raids and arrests in various areas of the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
The IOF stormed several areas at dawn Monday in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil city.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and a workshop and stationed on the roofs of some houses.
Before withdrawing from the town, the IOF handed orders to two citizens to appear before the Israeli Intelligence at Etzion detention center and confiscated the ID card of a third citizen.
According to the PIC reporter, the IOF arrested a number of ex-prisoners in the raids.
The IOF stormed Qalqilya city on Sunday evening and arrested a Palestinian youth.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the youth was taken to an unknown destination.
The IOF soldiers erected two military checkpoints and were deployed in a number of neighborhoods in the city for several hours.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that a large Israeli force broke into the eastern area of Nablus city late at night on Sunday and confiscated equipment used for the construction of a new road in Rujeib town.
The IOF claimed that the construction works are conducted in Area C which is supposed to be under Israeli control according to the Oslo Agreement.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between Palestinian youths and the Israeli police after the latter stormed al-Isawiya town to the east of Occupied Jerusalem and remained there until late at dawn on Monday.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the youths threw Molotov cocktails at settlers' vehicles, adding that the Israeli police chased the youths and attacked them with rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters.
Al-Isawiya town witnesses daily confrontations that have recently escalated in support for the prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 22 days in a row.
In the same context, a statement by the Israeli army revealed that the number of detainees on Monday reached 15.
The Tulkarem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in the village, interrogated several Palestinians and abducted four.
The abducted Palestinians have been identified as Yousef Wasfi Farkh, 24, Fathi Hatem Bdeir, 25, Fadi Mahmoud Bdeir, 27, and Haitham Ziad ‘Adwan, 26.
Large-scale raids and arrests in West Bank and Jerusalem
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched large-scale raids and arrests in various areas of the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
The IOF stormed several areas at dawn Monday in Beit Ummar town to the north of al-Khalil city.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers raided and searched a number of houses and a workshop and stationed on the roofs of some houses.
Before withdrawing from the town, the IOF handed orders to two citizens to appear before the Israeli Intelligence at Etzion detention center and confiscated the ID card of a third citizen.
According to the PIC reporter, the IOF arrested a number of ex-prisoners in the raids.
The IOF stormed Qalqilya city on Sunday evening and arrested a Palestinian youth.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the youth was taken to an unknown destination.
The IOF soldiers erected two military checkpoints and were deployed in a number of neighborhoods in the city for several hours.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that a large Israeli force broke into the eastern area of Nablus city late at night on Sunday and confiscated equipment used for the construction of a new road in Rujeib town.
The IOF claimed that the construction works are conducted in Area C which is supposed to be under Israeli control according to the Oslo Agreement.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between Palestinian youths and the Israeli police after the latter stormed al-Isawiya town to the east of Occupied Jerusalem and remained there until late at dawn on Monday.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the youths threw Molotov cocktails at settlers' vehicles, adding that the Israeli police chased the youths and attacked them with rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters.
Al-Isawiya town witnesses daily confrontations that have recently escalated in support for the prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 22 days in a row.
In the same context, a statement by the Israeli army revealed that the number of detainees on Monday reached 15.
|
|
The national committee of the Freedom and Dignity hunger strike denied on Sunday evening the authenticity of the videos published by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) claiming that Marwan al-Barghouthi, the jailed Fatah leader and one of the prominent leaders of the strike in Israeli jails, had suspended his strike.
The committee said in a statement that the fabricated video is a deceptive attempt by the IPS aimed at discouraging the hunger strikers, noting that the same method was used by the IPS in 2004. The committee affirmed that the Israeli media outlets are waging a dangerous war of lies and rumors that aims to create confusion among the Palestinian people and the striking prisoners. |
It called on the Palestinian media to display national awareness that is based on high confidence in the prisoners and the strike's leaders.
It pointed out that an analysis of the fabricated photos and videos will be published soon to unveil the Israeli lies.
Israeli Authorities Release Fabricated Video to Try to Undermine Palestinian Hunger Strike
The Israeli government on Monday released a video purporting to show the leader of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike sneaking food in his cell – but the video does not have a verified time stamp, does not show the face of the prisoner in the cell, and has been discounted by hunger strikers as ‘pure propaganda’.
Marwan Barghouthi, the prisoner leading the mass hunger strike, has been called the ‘Palestinian Mandela’, after the late South African President and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela.
Israeli officials released a video which they claim shows Barghouthi eating food – but critics and analysts say the video is not of Barghouthi at all.
Marwan’s wife, Lawyer Fadwa Barghouthi, stated that Israeli is so desperate in its attempts to break the hunger strike, and that the fact that Israeli officials have resorted to using a fabricated video shows how desperate Israel is, and how low its leaders can get in facing the strong will and determination of the hunger striking detainees.
The hunger strike has ended its third week, with more than 1500 Palestinian prisoners entering the dangerous zone of going more than 21 days without food. Israeli officials were thwarted in their attempts to force-feed the prisoners (as the US has done for years to hunger-striking prisoners in Guantanamo Bay), when the Israeli Medical Association refused to allow its doctors to participate in the torturous practice, and the government’s attempt to secretly bring in foreign doctors was exposed to the media.
In a press conference Monday, the wife of strike leader Marwan Barghouthi, Fadwa, stated, “We are not surprised by this fake video, it is all part of Israel’s psychosocial warfare against the detainees in particular, and the Palestinian people in general.”
She said, “We also know how low Israel can get, and all of its dirty games, manipulations and the blackmail of the families of the detainees.” She added that Marwan has been subject to an extensive Israeli campaign aiming at delegitimizing him and his key role, including forcing him in solitary confinement for three years of the fifteen years since he was abducted and imprisoned.
“Denying Marwan, and all hunger striking detainees, the right to meet their lawyers during the strike, which started on April 17th, is just another Israeli attempt to keep the detainees away from public opinion and the media,” Fadwa stated, “Israel’s conduct is similar to what criminals do when they try to conceal their crimes – if the state of Israel has nothing to hide, then why are the detainees denied access even to their own lawyers, and deprived from all forms of communication from the outside world, including their families?”
Fadwa said that publishing this fake, fabricated video only shows Israel’s defeat in countering the battle of empty stomachs that the detainees are engaging in – she said that it just shows how weak Israel and the Israeli occupation are, and how strong is the will and the determination of the detainees.
For his part, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) Qaddoura Fares, said the fake video did not come as a surprise, especially while the hunger strike continues and escalates, amidst extensive public support.
He added that the media outlets that published this video as if it is a proven fact, only represent Israel, and its illegal policies and violations against the detainees.
Fares also challenged Israel to allow a lawyer, even an Israeli lawyer, or a representative of the Red Cross, to visit with Barghouthi and examine him, and added that Israel will never do so because its lies will be revealed to the entire world.
“Israel knows that the detainees are winning, especially in this delicate stage of their strike,” he said, “The only thing this video proves is how desperate Israel is.”
The Palestinian official stressed that the lives of more than 1500 hunger striking detainees are at real risk, and called for extensive local, regional and international support.
It pointed out that an analysis of the fabricated photos and videos will be published soon to unveil the Israeli lies.
Israeli Authorities Release Fabricated Video to Try to Undermine Palestinian Hunger Strike
The Israeli government on Monday released a video purporting to show the leader of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike sneaking food in his cell – but the video does not have a verified time stamp, does not show the face of the prisoner in the cell, and has been discounted by hunger strikers as ‘pure propaganda’.
Marwan Barghouthi, the prisoner leading the mass hunger strike, has been called the ‘Palestinian Mandela’, after the late South African President and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela.
Israeli officials released a video which they claim shows Barghouthi eating food – but critics and analysts say the video is not of Barghouthi at all.
Marwan’s wife, Lawyer Fadwa Barghouthi, stated that Israeli is so desperate in its attempts to break the hunger strike, and that the fact that Israeli officials have resorted to using a fabricated video shows how desperate Israel is, and how low its leaders can get in facing the strong will and determination of the hunger striking detainees.
The hunger strike has ended its third week, with more than 1500 Palestinian prisoners entering the dangerous zone of going more than 21 days without food. Israeli officials were thwarted in their attempts to force-feed the prisoners (as the US has done for years to hunger-striking prisoners in Guantanamo Bay), when the Israeli Medical Association refused to allow its doctors to participate in the torturous practice, and the government’s attempt to secretly bring in foreign doctors was exposed to the media.
In a press conference Monday, the wife of strike leader Marwan Barghouthi, Fadwa, stated, “We are not surprised by this fake video, it is all part of Israel’s psychosocial warfare against the detainees in particular, and the Palestinian people in general.”
She said, “We also know how low Israel can get, and all of its dirty games, manipulations and the blackmail of the families of the detainees.” She added that Marwan has been subject to an extensive Israeli campaign aiming at delegitimizing him and his key role, including forcing him in solitary confinement for three years of the fifteen years since he was abducted and imprisoned.
“Denying Marwan, and all hunger striking detainees, the right to meet their lawyers during the strike, which started on April 17th, is just another Israeli attempt to keep the detainees away from public opinion and the media,” Fadwa stated, “Israel’s conduct is similar to what criminals do when they try to conceal their crimes – if the state of Israel has nothing to hide, then why are the detainees denied access even to their own lawyers, and deprived from all forms of communication from the outside world, including their families?”
Fadwa said that publishing this fake, fabricated video only shows Israel’s defeat in countering the battle of empty stomachs that the detainees are engaging in – she said that it just shows how weak Israel and the Israeli occupation are, and how strong is the will and the determination of the detainees.
For his part, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) Qaddoura Fares, said the fake video did not come as a surprise, especially while the hunger strike continues and escalates, amidst extensive public support.
He added that the media outlets that published this video as if it is a proven fact, only represent Israel, and its illegal policies and violations against the detainees.
Fares also challenged Israel to allow a lawyer, even an Israeli lawyer, or a representative of the Red Cross, to visit with Barghouthi and examine him, and added that Israel will never do so because its lies will be revealed to the entire world.
“Israel knows that the detainees are winning, especially in this delicate stage of their strike,” he said, “The only thing this video proves is how desperate Israel is.”
The Palestinian official stressed that the lives of more than 1500 hunger striking detainees are at real risk, and called for extensive local, regional and international support.
The media committee of the Freedom and Dignity hunger strike said that the lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, Khaled Mahajna, was able to visit two striking prisoners in Negev prison on Sunday. This is the first time the Israel Prison Service (IPS) allows lawyers' visits since the start of the hunger strike on 17th April 2017.
Mahajna stated that he met the two striking prisoners Ibrahim Abu Surour from Bethlehem and Nael Hussein from Qalqilya who informed him about the abuses practiced by the IPS against them since the first day of the hunger strike.
Abu Surour and Hussein said that the strikers' health is deteriorating, pointing out that some of them are unable to stand on their feet and stay in bed most of the day, and that they seek the help of other prisoners when they want to go to the toilet. They added that the IPS refuses to provide them with necessary treatment.
Abu Surour affirmed that he is suffering from back pain after he had fallen on the ground a week ago and that the IPS tried to blackmail him by offering him treatment in return for ending his strike.
The two prisoners reported that the strikers of Negev prison are divided into two separate sections, emphasizing that they are forced to drink water from the bathroom taps in addition to being subjected to almost daily searches and transfers inside and outside the prison, which exhaust the prisoners.
They explained that the IPS exerts pressure on the prisoners to push them to end their hunger strike by offering various kinds of meals and warning of the bad health consequences of the strike.
They added that on the first day of the strike, the IPS withdrew all the personal belongings of the prisoners except for a blanket, mattress and prison's uniform for each prisoner. They pointed out that they spent the first 15 days of the strike without changing their clothes. Later on, each prisoner was provided with one underwear only. Over and above, the IPS allows prisoners to shower and go out to the prison's yard in one week and denies them that in the following week.
Lawyer Mahajna said, quoting the two prisoners, that the IPS imposed a number of sanctions on the striking prisoners including denying them family visits, preventing them from going to the canteen and imposing a 450-shekel fine on each of them under trivial pretexts.
He affirmed that the prisoners' morale is high and they are determined to continue the strike until the fulfillment of their demands.
Mahajna stated that he met the two striking prisoners Ibrahim Abu Surour from Bethlehem and Nael Hussein from Qalqilya who informed him about the abuses practiced by the IPS against them since the first day of the hunger strike.
Abu Surour and Hussein said that the strikers' health is deteriorating, pointing out that some of them are unable to stand on their feet and stay in bed most of the day, and that they seek the help of other prisoners when they want to go to the toilet. They added that the IPS refuses to provide them with necessary treatment.
Abu Surour affirmed that he is suffering from back pain after he had fallen on the ground a week ago and that the IPS tried to blackmail him by offering him treatment in return for ending his strike.
The two prisoners reported that the strikers of Negev prison are divided into two separate sections, emphasizing that they are forced to drink water from the bathroom taps in addition to being subjected to almost daily searches and transfers inside and outside the prison, which exhaust the prisoners.
They explained that the IPS exerts pressure on the prisoners to push them to end their hunger strike by offering various kinds of meals and warning of the bad health consequences of the strike.
They added that on the first day of the strike, the IPS withdrew all the personal belongings of the prisoners except for a blanket, mattress and prison's uniform for each prisoner. They pointed out that they spent the first 15 days of the strike without changing their clothes. Later on, each prisoner was provided with one underwear only. Over and above, the IPS allows prisoners to shower and go out to the prison's yard in one week and denies them that in the following week.
Lawyer Mahajna said, quoting the two prisoners, that the IPS imposed a number of sanctions on the striking prisoners including denying them family visits, preventing them from going to the canteen and imposing a 450-shekel fine on each of them under trivial pretexts.
He affirmed that the prisoners' morale is high and they are determined to continue the strike until the fulfillment of their demands.
