20 oct 2014
Captive Ra'ed Faisal Musa Al-Qadi, 34, from Silat Al-Dahar – Jenin, has been on a hunger strike for more than a month now amid intransigence by the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) and an extremely weak public and official reaction to his cause.
The story of captive Ra'ed reflects the situation of the administrative prisoners in general, after reopening their files in the last few months due to the huge increase in their number; which was doubled four times during the last few months to reach about 600 captives in the Israeli prisons. Ra'ed declared his hunger strike on (19-9-2014), after the Israeli intelligence didn't keep its promise not to renew his administrative imprisonment and to release him immediately after his detention period ends, but the Israeli intelligence breached the promise, as usual, and renewed his administrative detention for the fifth time.
Second hunger strike
Muhammad Al-Qadi, a relative of the captive, told the PIC that this is not Ra'ed's first hunger strike; last year, he went on a hunger strike for 46 days to protest against his administrative detention, and didn't end it until the IOF falsely promised to release him.
Muhammad added that Ra'ed is insistent this time to maintain his strike until he is released, and that his lawyer conveyed Ra'ed's confirmation that this hunger strike is crucial; as he can't bear the renewal of his administrative detention renewal any more.
Muhammad pointed out that Ra'ed has a critical social condition as his parents are dead and he doesn't have any first-degree relative in Palestine; his four brothers are in Jordan and he only has one married sister in Silat Al-Dahar.
Weak solidarity
Fouad Khuffash, a researcher in the prisoners’ affairs, said: "Frankly, the lack of first-degree relatives of Ra'ed weakens the public solidarity with his cause".
He clarified that in such cases close relatives organize solidarity events and communicate with the concerned institutions. He asked all Palestinians to be as a family for the captive.
He continued: "the whole society, the concerned institutions and the official and public bodies should mobilize to compensate him."
Khuffash called on human rights organizations to urgently intervene and intensify their efforts in order to stop the suffering of the hunger striker before his health deteriorates.
The dilemma of the administrative detainees
The head of the popular committee for the support of the captives, Raghib Abu Diyak, said that Ra'ed spent 4 years in the Israeli prisons, and he was arrested again in November 2013 and was held in administrative detention which was extended over and over again.
He added: "Just like other administrative detainees there is no clear accusation against him".
He also said that Ra'ed is insisting in all his letters to proceed in his hunger strike until he is released.
The story of captive Ra'ed reflects the situation of the administrative prisoners in general, after reopening their files in the last few months due to the huge increase in their number; which was doubled four times during the last few months to reach about 600 captives in the Israeli prisons. Ra'ed declared his hunger strike on (19-9-2014), after the Israeli intelligence didn't keep its promise not to renew his administrative imprisonment and to release him immediately after his detention period ends, but the Israeli intelligence breached the promise, as usual, and renewed his administrative detention for the fifth time.
Second hunger strike
Muhammad Al-Qadi, a relative of the captive, told the PIC that this is not Ra'ed's first hunger strike; last year, he went on a hunger strike for 46 days to protest against his administrative detention, and didn't end it until the IOF falsely promised to release him.
Muhammad added that Ra'ed is insistent this time to maintain his strike until he is released, and that his lawyer conveyed Ra'ed's confirmation that this hunger strike is crucial; as he can't bear the renewal of his administrative detention renewal any more.
Muhammad pointed out that Ra'ed has a critical social condition as his parents are dead and he doesn't have any first-degree relative in Palestine; his four brothers are in Jordan and he only has one married sister in Silat Al-Dahar.
Weak solidarity
Fouad Khuffash, a researcher in the prisoners’ affairs, said: "Frankly, the lack of first-degree relatives of Ra'ed weakens the public solidarity with his cause".
He clarified that in such cases close relatives organize solidarity events and communicate with the concerned institutions. He asked all Palestinians to be as a family for the captive.
He continued: "the whole society, the concerned institutions and the official and public bodies should mobilize to compensate him."
Khuffash called on human rights organizations to urgently intervene and intensify their efforts in order to stop the suffering of the hunger striker before his health deteriorates.
The dilemma of the administrative detainees
The head of the popular committee for the support of the captives, Raghib Abu Diyak, said that Ra'ed spent 4 years in the Israeli prisons, and he was arrested again in November 2013 and was held in administrative detention which was extended over and over again.
He added: "Just like other administrative detainees there is no clear accusation against him".
He also said that Ra'ed is insisting in all his letters to proceed in his hunger strike until he is released.
Israeli special forces broke into section five of Rimon prison, yesterday, as part of a regular abusive search campaign, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Studies Center.
Al Ray reports that dozens of armed forces stormed the section amid an intense atmosphere of tension among prisoners.
PPS media spokesperson Ameena Taweel stated that forces searched and deliberately destroyed personal belongings of prisoners, adding that the unit also stormed the prisoners' canteen room, ransacking the area and destroying its contents without any justification.
Al-Taweel denounced the repetitive campaign, deeming it a kind of sanction policy which Israeli Prison Service insists on exerting against Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of breaking their will.
The center is calling for legal and human rights bodies to act urgently and inspect the harsh conditions which Palestinian prisoners are forced to live in, and expose Israeli authorities for their crimes against them.
Al Ray reports that dozens of armed forces stormed the section amid an intense atmosphere of tension among prisoners.
PPS media spokesperson Ameena Taweel stated that forces searched and deliberately destroyed personal belongings of prisoners, adding that the unit also stormed the prisoners' canteen room, ransacking the area and destroying its contents without any justification.
Al-Taweel denounced the repetitive campaign, deeming it a kind of sanction policy which Israeli Prison Service insists on exerting against Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of breaking their will.
The center is calling for legal and human rights bodies to act urgently and inspect the harsh conditions which Palestinian prisoners are forced to live in, and expose Israeli authorities for their crimes against them.
13 new administrative imprisonment orders issued
Ahrar Center recently announced that Israel's Ofer court has sentenced prisoner Bakr Sa'ad to two years of imprisonment, with a fine of 4,000 shekels (About $1,070) and a stay of execution for five years. Additionally,13 Palestinian prisoners have been issued administrative imprisonment orders.
According to the PNN, Sa'ad's brother told the Ahrar Center for Prisoner Studies and Human Rights that Bakr has been imprisoned since 18/4/2013, and is now being held in Rimon desert prison.
He was first imprisoned in April of 2013, under the pretext of forming a cell affiliated to Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades and for detaining Israeli soldiers.
The imprisonment is reportedly his first, and Israeli authorities have been delaying court sessions until the sentence came out yesterday, October 19th.
Bakr is married and has a child who was born during his confinement.
In a related context, Khalil Assaf, a member of the subcommittee on civil liberties formed after the West Bank-Gaza unity government was sworn in in June, says that Palestinian Authority police regularly detain people in the West Bank due to their political affiliation.
"Every day people are being detained in the West Bank because of their political affiliation, though in most cases they are released within days," Assaf told Ma'an News Agency.
Though he could not give an exact number of political detainees, he said "we are talking about dozens" of people.
He said additionally that, regardless of the committee's formation, none of its recommendations have been implemented, and it has not been summoned for any meetings with the rest of the unity government, so far.
See related: Abu Zurhi Denounces Abbas' Call for Defending Al-Aqsa
PNN further reports that Israeli authorities, on Monday, have issued administrative imprisonment orders for 13 Palestinians, with durations of imprisonment ranging between 2 and 6 months.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said in an announcement, today, that ten of the orders were for new citizens, while three administrative imprisonments were renewed.
Thus, the number of administrative orders since the beginning of October now rises to 96.
Administrative detention procedures, the use of which by Israel dates back to the British mandate period, allows them to hold prisoners indefinitely without chage or trial, on the basis of secret information.
The conditions under which prisoners are kept are often quite harsh, during such a sentence, with basic needs and medical care being neglected by Israeli authorities.
Ahrar Center recently announced that Israel's Ofer court has sentenced prisoner Bakr Sa'ad to two years of imprisonment, with a fine of 4,000 shekels (About $1,070) and a stay of execution for five years. Additionally,13 Palestinian prisoners have been issued administrative imprisonment orders.
According to the PNN, Sa'ad's brother told the Ahrar Center for Prisoner Studies and Human Rights that Bakr has been imprisoned since 18/4/2013, and is now being held in Rimon desert prison.
He was first imprisoned in April of 2013, under the pretext of forming a cell affiliated to Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades and for detaining Israeli soldiers.
The imprisonment is reportedly his first, and Israeli authorities have been delaying court sessions until the sentence came out yesterday, October 19th.
Bakr is married and has a child who was born during his confinement.
In a related context, Khalil Assaf, a member of the subcommittee on civil liberties formed after the West Bank-Gaza unity government was sworn in in June, says that Palestinian Authority police regularly detain people in the West Bank due to their political affiliation.
"Every day people are being detained in the West Bank because of their political affiliation, though in most cases they are released within days," Assaf told Ma'an News Agency.
Though he could not give an exact number of political detainees, he said "we are talking about dozens" of people.
He said additionally that, regardless of the committee's formation, none of its recommendations have been implemented, and it has not been summoned for any meetings with the rest of the unity government, so far.
See related: Abu Zurhi Denounces Abbas' Call for Defending Al-Aqsa
PNN further reports that Israeli authorities, on Monday, have issued administrative imprisonment orders for 13 Palestinians, with durations of imprisonment ranging between 2 and 6 months.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said in an announcement, today, that ten of the orders were for new citizens, while three administrative imprisonments were renewed.
Thus, the number of administrative orders since the beginning of October now rises to 96.
Administrative detention procedures, the use of which by Israel dates back to the British mandate period, allows them to hold prisoners indefinitely without chage or trial, on the basis of secret information.
The conditions under which prisoners are kept are often quite harsh, during such a sentence, with basic needs and medical care being neglected by Israeli authorities.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday and Monday rounded up dozens of Palestinian citizens, extended the prison-terms of five Jerusalemites, and sentenced six others to administrative detention. The IOF nabbed a 60-year-old elderly civilian, Abdul Qader Awad, along with his 21-year-old son, Ihab, after having stormed their family home at the Fawar refugee camp, in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil, and ransacked it.
A Palestinian worker, identified as Muhannad Youssef, was rushed to hospital so as to be urgently treated for the critical wounds and fractures he sustained after he was physically assaulted by the IOF troops in 1948 occupied Palestine.
The IOF further apprehended two Palestinian youngsters from Bethlehem after having raided their family homes and rummaged through them.
Eye-witnesses said the Israeli occupation soldiers assaulted al-Doheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, among many other neighborhoods, and targeted the civilian natives with heavy barrages of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Palestinian youngster Maher Ghuneim, 24, and Saber al-Amour, 20, were both captured by the IOF and dragged to an unidentified destination in the process.
In another development, lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, Mufeed al-Haj, said the Israeli Magistrate’s Court extended the prison terms of five Jerusalemite captives, including a young lady.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military Ofer court sentenced six more Palestinian detainees to varying administrative prison-terms, for periods ranging from three to six months.
A recent report released by the Prisoner Society documented the abduction of 225 Palestinian citizens, including two women, in a period of 20 days during the month of October.
Al-Khalil hit a record high of 70 captives, compared to 46 from Occupied Jerusalem, 24 from Bethlehem, 19 from Nablus, and 17 from Ramallah and el-Bireh.
The campaign further culminated in the arrest of 11 Palestinian civilians from Jenin, 11 from Tubas, 10 from Salfit, nine from Qalqiliya, and five from Jericho.
The two female captives were identified as Ihasan al-Dababsa, from al-Khalil, and Amal Khalaf, from Occupied Jerusalem.
A Palestinian worker, identified as Muhannad Youssef, was rushed to hospital so as to be urgently treated for the critical wounds and fractures he sustained after he was physically assaulted by the IOF troops in 1948 occupied Palestine.
The IOF further apprehended two Palestinian youngsters from Bethlehem after having raided their family homes and rummaged through them.
Eye-witnesses said the Israeli occupation soldiers assaulted al-Doheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, among many other neighborhoods, and targeted the civilian natives with heavy barrages of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Palestinian youngster Maher Ghuneim, 24, and Saber al-Amour, 20, were both captured by the IOF and dragged to an unidentified destination in the process.
In another development, lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, Mufeed al-Haj, said the Israeli Magistrate’s Court extended the prison terms of five Jerusalemite captives, including a young lady.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military Ofer court sentenced six more Palestinian detainees to varying administrative prison-terms, for periods ranging from three to six months.
A recent report released by the Prisoner Society documented the abduction of 225 Palestinian citizens, including two women, in a period of 20 days during the month of October.
Al-Khalil hit a record high of 70 captives, compared to 46 from Occupied Jerusalem, 24 from Bethlehem, 19 from Nablus, and 17 from Ramallah and el-Bireh.
The campaign further culminated in the arrest of 11 Palestinian civilians from Jenin, 11 from Tubas, 10 from Salfit, nine from Qalqiliya, and five from Jericho.
The two female captives were identified as Ihasan al-Dababsa, from al-Khalil, and Amal Khalaf, from Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday afternoon rounded up a number of Palestinian civilians, including a mentally disabled man, during the daily arrest campaign launched across the West Bank. Local sources in Jenin said IOF soldiers nabbed a mentally disabled man after they sealed off Jalama checkpoint, purposely at a time when Palestinian masses would be on their way to or back home from their workplaces, allegedly for being suspected of wearing an explosive belt.
Police sappers called to the scene found out later that the captive, identified as 48-year-old Mohyi al-Din Sha’ban and suspiciously treated for a potential suicide bomber, carries only personal belongings.
The IOF further detained a number of other Jenin natives at a makeshift military checkpoint pitched along the Jenin-Nazareth Street, where Palestinian vehicles and IDs were meticulously and provocatively inspected.
A flood of rushed and panic-stricken IOF combing operations rocked the nearby Kharouba and Sabah al-Kheir villages
Meanwhile, sources based in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil said six Palestinian civilians were nabbed by the IOF on Sunday.
The detainees were dragged to an Israeli investigation center under pretext that they were wanted by the Israeli intelligence.
Police sappers called to the scene found out later that the captive, identified as 48-year-old Mohyi al-Din Sha’ban and suspiciously treated for a potential suicide bomber, carries only personal belongings.
The IOF further detained a number of other Jenin natives at a makeshift military checkpoint pitched along the Jenin-Nazareth Street, where Palestinian vehicles and IDs were meticulously and provocatively inspected.
A flood of rushed and panic-stricken IOF combing operations rocked the nearby Kharouba and Sabah al-Kheir villages
Meanwhile, sources based in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil said six Palestinian civilians were nabbed by the IOF on Sunday.
The detainees were dragged to an Israeli investigation center under pretext that they were wanted by the Israeli intelligence.
Mustafa Abdul-Razeq al-Khawaja
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, various communities in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped seven Palestinians, including a journalist, after invading their homes and ransacking them. One Palestinian kidnapped late on Sunday.
Local sources said dozens of soldiers invaded Ni’lin village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped a journalist working for the al-Aqsa Satellite TV.
The journalist has been identified as Mustafa Abdul-Razeq al-Khawaja.
His brother said several Israeli military vehicles surrounded their home, before breaking into it and ransacking its property, adding that the soldiers trashed the place and walked around with their muddy boots due to heavy rain, and took his brother to the Ni’lin roadblock, before moving him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and kidnapped a man and his son, after searching their homes.
The two have been identified as Mustafa Abdul-Qader Abu ‘Awwad, 60, and his son Ehab, 21.
Several military vehicles also invaded the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem, searched many homes, and kidnapped Maher Mohammad Ghneim, 24, before confiscating his computer.
Soldiers also installed a military roadblock at the entrance of Doura town, south of Hebron.
In addition, soldiers invaded the Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped a Palestinian identified as Saber Rebhy al-’Amour, 23, after breaking into his home and ransacking its property.
On Sunday evening, a Palestinian was kidnapped at a temporary roadblock, installed by the army at the main junction of Sanour village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Kidnapped has been identified as Fathi Rasmi Jarrar, 27, from Sanour.
In related news, an Israeli court ordered, on Sunday afternoon, five Palestinian detainees, from occupied Jerusalem, under further interrogation, until Wednesday.
The five have are Ahmal Khalaf, 35, her brothers, Mousa, 31, and Hamza Khalaf, 24, in addition to Ahmad and his brother Mohammad Sharha.
They were kidnapped on Saturday at night after the soldiers invaded homes in the Chain Gate (Bas as-Silsila), and violently assaulted several family members, wounding Hamza, before kidnapped the women and the four men.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, various communities in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped seven Palestinians, including a journalist, after invading their homes and ransacking them. One Palestinian kidnapped late on Sunday.
Local sources said dozens of soldiers invaded Ni’lin village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and kidnapped a journalist working for the al-Aqsa Satellite TV.
The journalist has been identified as Mustafa Abdul-Razeq al-Khawaja.
His brother said several Israeli military vehicles surrounded their home, before breaking into it and ransacking its property, adding that the soldiers trashed the place and walked around with their muddy boots due to heavy rain, and took his brother to the Ni’lin roadblock, before moving him to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and kidnapped a man and his son, after searching their homes.
The two have been identified as Mustafa Abdul-Qader Abu ‘Awwad, 60, and his son Ehab, 21.
Several military vehicles also invaded the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem, searched many homes, and kidnapped Maher Mohammad Ghneim, 24, before confiscating his computer.
Soldiers also installed a military roadblock at the entrance of Doura town, south of Hebron.
In addition, soldiers invaded the Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem, and kidnapped a Palestinian identified as Saber Rebhy al-’Amour, 23, after breaking into his home and ransacking its property.
On Sunday evening, a Palestinian was kidnapped at a temporary roadblock, installed by the army at the main junction of Sanour village, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Kidnapped has been identified as Fathi Rasmi Jarrar, 27, from Sanour.
In related news, an Israeli court ordered, on Sunday afternoon, five Palestinian detainees, from occupied Jerusalem, under further interrogation, until Wednesday.
The five have are Ahmal Khalaf, 35, her brothers, Mousa, 31, and Hamza Khalaf, 24, in addition to Ahmad and his brother Mohammad Sharha.
They were kidnapped on Saturday at night after the soldiers invaded homes in the Chain Gate (Bas as-Silsila), and violently assaulted several family members, wounding Hamza, before kidnapped the women and the four men.
19 oct 2014
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Today, at the Salaymeh checkpoint in Hebron, Israeli border police detained three Palestinian men, checking their ID cards and making them remove their belts.
One Palestinian was detained for around 20 minutes and another for 10 minutes. The other Palestinian was detained for around 30 minutes. A small boy fell from his donkey close to the checkpoint and the donkey kicked the boy in the head and stood on his leg. The detained man ran through the checkpoint to pick the boy up but was soon followed by the Israeli border police who told the man to put the boy down and go stand behind the checkpoint. |
The boy was then tended to by international activists and other Palestinians in the area.
Later on Israeli border police fired one tear gas grenade for no reason at school children who had just finished school. There were no stones thrown and the Israeli border police that fired the tear gas grenade fired in an attempt to instigate a reaction from the children and to create tension.
See also: Protesters Suffer from Teargas Fired by Israeli Soldiers in Salfit
Later on Israeli border police fired one tear gas grenade for no reason at school children who had just finished school. There were no stones thrown and the Israeli border police that fired the tear gas grenade fired in an attempt to instigate a reaction from the children and to create tension.
See also: Protesters Suffer from Teargas Fired by Israeli Soldiers in Salfit
Scores of Palestinian civilians on Sunday sustained wounds while several others were nabbed in the wave of violent clashes that flared up between the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and groups of Palestinian unarmed youths across the West Bank. Eye-witnesses in Salfit said the Israeli occupation soldiers stormed the city and targeted the Palestinian unarmed youths with heavy barrages of tear gas canisters and sound bombs, leading to suffocation cases among dozens of Palestinian citizens.
Meanwhile, four Palestinian citizens were rounded up by the IOF in Bethlehem city, two among whom were unidentified Hamas leaders.
Two more Hamas affiliates were among eight citizens captured by the IOF in al-Khalil. The arrests were carried out shortly after the IOF broke into Palestinians’ family homes in the city and discharged random spates of rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas grenades.
By-standers at the scene said the IOF sealed off all the main entrances to Beit Awa and the nearby villages moments before they intensified their presence in the area and pitched makeshift roadblocks around a nearby military watchtower.
A PIC correspondent further reported the outburst of a flood of combing operations launched in such a hasty and panic-stricken manner on Palestinians’ cultivated lands.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli occupation army came down heavily on a group of Palestinian activists and citizens who partook in a peaceful demo staged in protest at Israel’s arbitrary confiscation of Palestinian lands, covering an overall area of about 1,000 m2, in Sourif town, in al-Khalil.
The seizure cropped up two months ago in favor of Israeli illegal settlement expansion, denying Palestinians the right to retrieve the lands and resume their crop growing with the advent of the olive season, Palestinian anti-settlement activist Youssef Abu Maria reported on Saturday.
The invading IOF troops physically assaulted member of the Palestinian Agricultural Ministry personnel, Firas Awadh, and targeted other non-violent demonstrators with tear gas canisters.
Meanwhile, overnight on Saturday, the IOF in armored military jeeps stormed Yabad, Kfirt, and Zababda towns, south of Jenin.
The invading Israeli occupation troops also raked through the neighborhoods of Jenin city and provocatively interrogated Palestinian natives before they ultimately stationed in al-Maloul neighborhood.
Ambushes and flying checkpoints had randomly been pitched across Kfirt and Zababda towns in the process.
Meanwhile, four Palestinian citizens were rounded up by the IOF in Bethlehem city, two among whom were unidentified Hamas leaders.
Two more Hamas affiliates were among eight citizens captured by the IOF in al-Khalil. The arrests were carried out shortly after the IOF broke into Palestinians’ family homes in the city and discharged random spates of rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas grenades.
By-standers at the scene said the IOF sealed off all the main entrances to Beit Awa and the nearby villages moments before they intensified their presence in the area and pitched makeshift roadblocks around a nearby military watchtower.
A PIC correspondent further reported the outburst of a flood of combing operations launched in such a hasty and panic-stricken manner on Palestinians’ cultivated lands.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli occupation army came down heavily on a group of Palestinian activists and citizens who partook in a peaceful demo staged in protest at Israel’s arbitrary confiscation of Palestinian lands, covering an overall area of about 1,000 m2, in Sourif town, in al-Khalil.
The seizure cropped up two months ago in favor of Israeli illegal settlement expansion, denying Palestinians the right to retrieve the lands and resume their crop growing with the advent of the olive season, Palestinian anti-settlement activist Youssef Abu Maria reported on Saturday.
The invading IOF troops physically assaulted member of the Palestinian Agricultural Ministry personnel, Firas Awadh, and targeted other non-violent demonstrators with tear gas canisters.
Meanwhile, overnight on Saturday, the IOF in armored military jeeps stormed Yabad, Kfirt, and Zababda towns, south of Jenin.
The invading Israeli occupation troops also raked through the neighborhoods of Jenin city and provocatively interrogated Palestinian natives before they ultimately stationed in al-Maloul neighborhood.
Ambushes and flying checkpoints had randomly been pitched across Kfirt and Zababda towns in the process.
The Gaza-based Palestinian prisoners center for studies urged the inter-parliamentary union (IPU) to translate its words into action regarding its position towards the detention of Palestinian lawmakers in Israeli jails. Spokesman for the center Riyadh Al-Ashqar hailed the IPU for condemning in a statement issued in Geneva last Wednesday Israel's detention of several Palestinian lawmakers, most of them in jail administratively.
Ashqar described the IPU's statement as a good step, but he said it would be incomplete without practical moves to pressure Israel to release the lawmakers.
He stressed that such position should be followed by concrete steps on the ground starting with the formation of an international parliamentary committee to visit the lawmakers in Israeli jails and study their legal files.
The spokesman also called on the IPU to file lawsuits with international courts against Israel in this regard in order to secure their immediate release.
Ashqar described the IPU's statement as a good step, but he said it would be incomplete without practical moves to pressure Israel to release the lawmakers.
He stressed that such position should be followed by concrete steps on the ground starting with the formation of an international parliamentary committee to visit the lawmakers in Israeli jails and study their legal files.
The spokesman also called on the IPU to file lawsuits with international courts against Israel in this regard in order to secure their immediate release.
Palestinian medical sources said several residents have been injured by army fire in renewed clashes that took place with Israeli soldiers invading various neighborhoods and towns in the occupied city. At least five, including a child, have been kidnapped.
Dozens of soldiers and police officers invaded the Chain Gate (Bab al-Silsila), the town of at-Tour, and the Shu’fat refugee camp, in addition to a number of neighborhoods in the Old City.
The soldiers invaded Asaliyya and Sharha neighborhoods in the Old City, and attacked several Palestinians before kidnapping four.
One of the Palestinians, identified as Hamza Khalaf, was injured in the head when the soldiers assaulted him before kidnapping him.
Another kidnapped Palestinian has been identified as Mohammad Sharha; soldiers also kidnapped two of his relatives.
In the at-Tour town, soldiers kidnapped a child identified as Ibrahim al-Hedra, after the army invaded the town, and clashed with local youths.
Shortly before midnight, dozens of soldiers invaded Aqabat as-Saraya, al-Waad Street, Bab Hatta, Sa’diyya neighborhood, and al-Jabsha Street, in the Old City, leading to clashes between the invading soldiers and local youths.
Israeli police attack and detain Palestinians in overnight raid in J'lem
Dozens of soldiers and police officers invaded the Chain Gate (Bab al-Silsila), the town of at-Tour, and the Shu’fat refugee camp, in addition to a number of neighborhoods in the Old City.
The soldiers invaded Asaliyya and Sharha neighborhoods in the Old City, and attacked several Palestinians before kidnapping four.
One of the Palestinians, identified as Hamza Khalaf, was injured in the head when the soldiers assaulted him before kidnapping him.
Another kidnapped Palestinian has been identified as Mohammad Sharha; soldiers also kidnapped two of his relatives.
In the at-Tour town, soldiers kidnapped a child identified as Ibrahim al-Hedra, after the army invaded the town, and clashed with local youths.
Shortly before midnight, dozens of soldiers invaded Aqabat as-Saraya, al-Waad Street, Bab Hatta, Sa’diyya neighborhood, and al-Jabsha Street, in the Old City, leading to clashes between the invading soldiers and local youths.
Israeli police attack and detain Palestinians in overnight raid in J'lem
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Sunday at dawn, Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank and Beit Ummar nearby town, broke into a number of homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians, including a paralyzed man.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, stated that the soldiers invaded a number of homes, searched them, and kidnapped two identified as Ziad and his brother Mahmoud Bader Ekhlayyel, 35 and 28 years of age.
Awad added that, in 1994, Ziad was shot by an Israeli soldier in his spine, causing paralyses, while his brother is a former political prisoner, who spent two years in Israeli prisons.
The soldiers also invaded Ras al-Joura area, north of Hebron city, and kidnapped Suheib ‘Ali Jneid, 20, after searching and ransacking him home.
Abdul-Rahman al-Juneidi and Mohammad Ayad Awad, 27, were abducted in the Hebron area as well. In both instances, soldiers smashed the doors of the homes of those abducted.
The kidnapped Palestinians were cuffed, blindfolded and were moved to the Etzion Israeli military and security base.
Also on Sunday at dawn, soldiers kidnapped five Palestinians, after invading their homes in different areas of occupied East Jerusalem, local sources said.
In related news, a number of military vehicles invaded the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, and handed Mohammad Abdullah al-Ja’fari, 43, a military order for interrogation at the Etzion military base. The soldiers also searched and ransacked his home.
Four Palestinians kidnapped in IOF campaign in al-Khalil
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday morning kidnapped four Palestinian citizens from their homes during a campaign in al-Khalil city. Local sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Israeli troops stormed homes belonging to the families of Dofash, Qawasmeh and Juneid in different areas of al-Khalil and kidnaped Suhaib Juneid.
To the north of the city, scores of Israeli soldiers aboard armored vehicles invaded Beit Ummar town amid intensive gunfire and took three Palestinians prisoners.
The IOF did not state the reasons for its detention of the four citizens.
In an earlier incident, Palestinian young men attacked with a Molotov cocktail an Israeli watchtower on the main road between Beit Awwa, west of al-Khalil, and some nearby villages.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that the IOF blocked the main road and the entrance to Beit Awwa, and intensified its presence there in the wake of the firebomb attack.
Mohammad Awad, spokesperson of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, stated that the soldiers invaded a number of homes, searched them, and kidnapped two identified as Ziad and his brother Mahmoud Bader Ekhlayyel, 35 and 28 years of age.
Awad added that, in 1994, Ziad was shot by an Israeli soldier in his spine, causing paralyses, while his brother is a former political prisoner, who spent two years in Israeli prisons.
The soldiers also invaded Ras al-Joura area, north of Hebron city, and kidnapped Suheib ‘Ali Jneid, 20, after searching and ransacking him home.
Abdul-Rahman al-Juneidi and Mohammad Ayad Awad, 27, were abducted in the Hebron area as well. In both instances, soldiers smashed the doors of the homes of those abducted.
The kidnapped Palestinians were cuffed, blindfolded and were moved to the Etzion Israeli military and security base.
Also on Sunday at dawn, soldiers kidnapped five Palestinians, after invading their homes in different areas of occupied East Jerusalem, local sources said.
In related news, a number of military vehicles invaded the Deheishe refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, and handed Mohammad Abdullah al-Ja’fari, 43, a military order for interrogation at the Etzion military base. The soldiers also searched and ransacked his home.
Four Palestinians kidnapped in IOF campaign in al-Khalil
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday morning kidnapped four Palestinian citizens from their homes during a campaign in al-Khalil city. Local sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Israeli troops stormed homes belonging to the families of Dofash, Qawasmeh and Juneid in different areas of al-Khalil and kidnaped Suhaib Juneid.
To the north of the city, scores of Israeli soldiers aboard armored vehicles invaded Beit Ummar town amid intensive gunfire and took three Palestinians prisoners.
The IOF did not state the reasons for its detention of the four citizens.
In an earlier incident, Palestinian young men attacked with a Molotov cocktail an Israeli watchtower on the main road between Beit Awwa, west of al-Khalil, and some nearby villages.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that the IOF blocked the main road and the entrance to Beit Awwa, and intensified its presence there in the wake of the firebomb attack.
18 oct 2014
Palestinian female prisoners held in Israeli jails accused the international Red Cross organization of gross negligence and disregard for the lives of Palestinian female prisoners, Ahrar Center for Prisoners’ Studies reported.
During a press conference held by Ahrar center, the two female ex-prisoners Reem Hamarsheh and Alaa Abu Zeitun, who were recently released, pointed out that Palestinian women suffer poor detention conditions in Hasharon jail.
“We were deprived from our right to receive family visits carried out under the supervision of the Red Cross”, the ex-prisoners said.
Abu Zeitun said that she only received two or three Red Cross visits during her sentence that lasted for 19 months. “The Red Cross refused to provide us with our basic needs including winter clothing”, she added.
For her part, Hamarsheh, who was held for eight months, condemned the passive response of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the life-threatening dangers facing dozens of female prisoners in Israeli jails.
Head of the center Fuad al-Khuffash, in his turn, stressed the need for a more concerted and robust ICRC effort to end the inhuman treatment of 17 female prisoners and meet their needs especially those who suffer chronic diseases such as Lina Jarboni, who is also the oldest serving female prisoner.
During a press conference held by Ahrar center, the two female ex-prisoners Reem Hamarsheh and Alaa Abu Zeitun, who were recently released, pointed out that Palestinian women suffer poor detention conditions in Hasharon jail.
“We were deprived from our right to receive family visits carried out under the supervision of the Red Cross”, the ex-prisoners said.
Abu Zeitun said that she only received two or three Red Cross visits during her sentence that lasted for 19 months. “The Red Cross refused to provide us with our basic needs including winter clothing”, she added.
For her part, Hamarsheh, who was held for eight months, condemned the passive response of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the life-threatening dangers facing dozens of female prisoners in Israeli jails.
Head of the center Fuad al-Khuffash, in his turn, stressed the need for a more concerted and robust ICRC effort to end the inhuman treatment of 17 female prisoners and meet their needs especially those who suffer chronic diseases such as Lina Jarboni, who is also the oldest serving female prisoner.
Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Issa Qaraqe, has warned that sick Palestinian prisoners are facing death in Israeli prisons, due to deliberate medical negligence by the Israeli prison administration.
The ministry official stated that "prisoners jail cells have turned into their graves", according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency.
During a visit to the family of Khader Dababat, a prisoner who was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by Israel, Mr. Qaraqi stressed that prisoners' alarming health conditions are extremely worrisome.
Khader was shot by Israeli forces during his arrest, and has undergone difficult conditions during his detention, including two years of solitary confinement, during which he was also physically assaulted, aggravating his health condition.
Qaraqi stressed that "prisoners are semi-alive and are suffering from extremely dangerous health conditions".
He has called upon all relevant rights organizations to intervene in putting an end to the suffering continuously faced by Palestinian prisoners.
He additionally stated that the number of sick prisoners detained in by Israel has now reached some 1,500 -- of whom at least 80 prisoners are suffering from serious health problems and do not receive the necessary treatment. These prisonees suffer from malignant diseases, paralysis, and disabilities, in addition to cases of mental illness and neurological disorder.
Qaraqi also visited the families of several other prisoners, including that of released prioner Nawal al-Saadi, who was released after spending two years in Israeli jails.
Al-Saadi's two sons were killed by Israeli forces, and she has appealed to a number of organizations for intervention and solidarity with female prisoners who are suffering from ill-treatment by IPS administration and their employees.
The ministry official stated that "prisoners jail cells have turned into their graves", according to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency.
During a visit to the family of Khader Dababat, a prisoner who was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by Israel, Mr. Qaraqi stressed that prisoners' alarming health conditions are extremely worrisome.
Khader was shot by Israeli forces during his arrest, and has undergone difficult conditions during his detention, including two years of solitary confinement, during which he was also physically assaulted, aggravating his health condition.
Qaraqi stressed that "prisoners are semi-alive and are suffering from extremely dangerous health conditions".
He has called upon all relevant rights organizations to intervene in putting an end to the suffering continuously faced by Palestinian prisoners.
He additionally stated that the number of sick prisoners detained in by Israel has now reached some 1,500 -- of whom at least 80 prisoners are suffering from serious health problems and do not receive the necessary treatment. These prisonees suffer from malignant diseases, paralysis, and disabilities, in addition to cases of mental illness and neurological disorder.
Qaraqi also visited the families of several other prisoners, including that of released prioner Nawal al-Saadi, who was released after spending two years in Israeli jails.
Al-Saadi's two sons were killed by Israeli forces, and she has appealed to a number of organizations for intervention and solidarity with female prisoners who are suffering from ill-treatment by IPS administration and their employees.
17 oct 2014
The Israeli occupation police on Thursday afternoon detained Ayman al-Haj Yahiya, the secretary of the prisoner movement in the 1948 occupied Palestine after interrogating him for eight hours.
The prisoner movement said in a statement that an Israeli occupation force raided the house of al-Haj Yahiya and ransacked it before handing him a summons for interrogation.
Al-Haj Yahya was arrested after interrogating him at a police station near Tiba junction, according to the movement, which has not been told about the reason for his arrest.
The prisoner movement said in a statement that an Israeli occupation force raided the house of al-Haj Yahiya and ransacked it before handing him a summons for interrogation.
Al-Haj Yahya was arrested after interrogating him at a police station near Tiba junction, according to the movement, which has not been told about the reason for his arrest.
A Palestinian political prisoner from Sielet ath-Thaher, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, has entered his 28th consecutive day of his hunger strike in an Israeli detention center, demanding an end to his arbitrary administrative detention.
The detainee, Raed Faisal Mousa, 34, is facing various health complications, but insists on continuing his strike until his arbitrary detention, without charges or trial, is over.
His family said they are worried about their son, especially amidst his deteriorating health condition, and called on all related human rights and legal groups to intervene, and secure his release.
Mousa was taken prisoner by the army in November 2013, while the Israeli Prison Authority kept renewing his detention since then.
Israel issued nearly 24.000 Administrative Detention orders since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada on September 28 2000, while the number of Palestinian detainees, currently held under Administrative Detention, is around than 500.
Eighty-three detainees died in Israeli prisons since 2000, mainly due to torture, the lack of proper medical attention, and due to excessive use of force against them, while 206 died in prison since 1967.
Scores of detainees died after their release due to illnesses and diseases they encountered while imprisoned, and never received the needed specialized medical treatment until they were released.
The Palestinian Committee of Detainees recently said that the army kidnapped 85.000 Palestinians since September of 2000, while around 2500 have been kidnapped since last June.
Israel also kidnapped more than 10.000 Palestinian children, while 250 of them are currently imprisoned. Hundreds of adult detainees were taken prisoner when they were children.
More than 1000 women, including children, have been taken prisoner; four were pregnant prior to their arrest, and gave birth in prison under very difficult conditions, including being cuffed to their beds while giving birth. There are currently 19 women imprisoned by Israel.
65 Palestinian legislators and government ministers have been kidnapped by Israel, including 30 legislators and two ministers, who are still imprisoned.
The army also rearrested dozens of detainees who were released under the Shalit Prisoner Swap Agreement.
The detainee, Raed Faisal Mousa, 34, is facing various health complications, but insists on continuing his strike until his arbitrary detention, without charges or trial, is over.
His family said they are worried about their son, especially amidst his deteriorating health condition, and called on all related human rights and legal groups to intervene, and secure his release.
Mousa was taken prisoner by the army in November 2013, while the Israeli Prison Authority kept renewing his detention since then.
Israel issued nearly 24.000 Administrative Detention orders since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada on September 28 2000, while the number of Palestinian detainees, currently held under Administrative Detention, is around than 500.
Eighty-three detainees died in Israeli prisons since 2000, mainly due to torture, the lack of proper medical attention, and due to excessive use of force against them, while 206 died in prison since 1967.
Scores of detainees died after their release due to illnesses and diseases they encountered while imprisoned, and never received the needed specialized medical treatment until they were released.
The Palestinian Committee of Detainees recently said that the army kidnapped 85.000 Palestinians since September of 2000, while around 2500 have been kidnapped since last June.
Israel also kidnapped more than 10.000 Palestinian children, while 250 of them are currently imprisoned. Hundreds of adult detainees were taken prisoner when they were children.
More than 1000 women, including children, have been taken prisoner; four were pregnant prior to their arrest, and gave birth in prison under very difficult conditions, including being cuffed to their beds while giving birth. There are currently 19 women imprisoned by Israel.
65 Palestinian legislators and government ministers have been kidnapped by Israel, including 30 legislators and two ministers, who are still imprisoned.
The army also rearrested dozens of detainees who were released under the Shalit Prisoner Swap Agreement.
Palestinian detainee, Rami al-‘Alami, who supervises Palestinian children held at the ‘Ofer Israeli military prison, told a lawyer of the Palestinian Detainees’ Committee that around 100 children are held in Ofer, many require urgent medical, and psychological attention, due to bad conditions, abuse and torture.
Al-‘Alami said the children in ‘Ofer Israeli prison are denied basic rights, including the right to education and proper treatment, including medical, and are treated as adults, and constantly harassed.
It is worth mentioning that the “Israeli Legal Counselor” instructed the Israeli Prison Authority to treat detained Palestinian Children as adults, especially in issues related to their continued detention and trial.
Around 250 Palestinian children are still held by Israel in Majeddo, ‘Ofer and HaSharon prisons.
They are sent to military courts, just like adult detainees, denied basic rights, instead of being treated as children in accordance with International Law.
Lawyer Hiba Masalha of the Detainees’ Committee said many child detainees provided sworn testimonies revealing torture and abuse, especially in HaSharon prison.
She said that detainee Noureddeen az-Zaghal, 17, from Abu Tour in occupied Jerusalem, was taken prisoner on July 6 2014, after the soldiers stormed his family home at 2 after midnight.
He was cuffed and blindfolded before the soldiers dragged him to their jeep, before forcing him forced onto the floor of the jeep, face down, and started beating him.
Az-Zaghal was then moved to the al-Maskobiyya interrogation center in Jerusalem, where he remained under interrogation, facing torture and abuse, for 18 days.
“I was then moved to the HaSharon prison; it is unfit for human use. It is very hot, with high humidity, and always overcrowded,” he said, “The mattresses are filthy, torn and decayed. Bugs, warms and termites are all over the place.”
Lawyer Masalha added that detainee Mahmoud Abu Teir, 17, from Um Touba village, near Jerusalem, was taken prisoner on July 8 2014, after the soldiers stormed his family home shortly after midnight.
He was then moved to the al-Maskobiyya, where he was stripped of his clothes, before he was cuffed, blindfolded, forced to kneel on the ground, and was kicked and beaten by the soldiers.
He remained in al-Maskobiyya, under interrogation and torture for 18 days. He repeatedly lost consciousness while under interrogation.
Al-‘Alami said the children in ‘Ofer Israeli prison are denied basic rights, including the right to education and proper treatment, including medical, and are treated as adults, and constantly harassed.
It is worth mentioning that the “Israeli Legal Counselor” instructed the Israeli Prison Authority to treat detained Palestinian Children as adults, especially in issues related to their continued detention and trial.
Around 250 Palestinian children are still held by Israel in Majeddo, ‘Ofer and HaSharon prisons.
They are sent to military courts, just like adult detainees, denied basic rights, instead of being treated as children in accordance with International Law.
Lawyer Hiba Masalha of the Detainees’ Committee said many child detainees provided sworn testimonies revealing torture and abuse, especially in HaSharon prison.
She said that detainee Noureddeen az-Zaghal, 17, from Abu Tour in occupied Jerusalem, was taken prisoner on July 6 2014, after the soldiers stormed his family home at 2 after midnight.
He was cuffed and blindfolded before the soldiers dragged him to their jeep, before forcing him forced onto the floor of the jeep, face down, and started beating him.
Az-Zaghal was then moved to the al-Maskobiyya interrogation center in Jerusalem, where he remained under interrogation, facing torture and abuse, for 18 days.
“I was then moved to the HaSharon prison; it is unfit for human use. It is very hot, with high humidity, and always overcrowded,” he said, “The mattresses are filthy, torn and decayed. Bugs, warms and termites are all over the place.”
Lawyer Masalha added that detainee Mahmoud Abu Teir, 17, from Um Touba village, near Jerusalem, was taken prisoner on July 8 2014, after the soldiers stormed his family home shortly after midnight.
He was then moved to the al-Maskobiyya, where he was stripped of his clothes, before he was cuffed, blindfolded, forced to kneel on the ground, and was kicked and beaten by the soldiers.
He remained in al-Maskobiyya, under interrogation and torture for 18 days. He repeatedly lost consciousness while under interrogation.
