Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Away from the sun - a documentary on Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli jails
A documentary on Palestinian Prisoners and the torture they suffer in Israeli jails.
Created by the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and released Detainees, Department of International Relations.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Hunger striking prisoners facing sharp repression and continue their demands
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike are facing sharp repression from the Israeli Prison Administration. As reported by Addameer and others, Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike have reported confiscation of personal items and warm clothes. In response to these attacks, prisoners in Nafha are threatening to begin to refuse water as well.
One group of Palestinian prisoners associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine at Eshel prison participating in the strike have been transfered to Ohalei Kedar prison in retribution, while Hamas prisoners at Eshel prison on hunger strike were separated from one another and moved into the rooms of Fateh prisoners, in an attempt to exacerbate factional tensions.
At Ramon prison, Palestinian hunger strikers have been moved into isolation cells and hunger strikers throughout Israeli prisons are being denied access to independent doctors. Addameer lawyer Samer Sama’an has been banned from visiting all prisoners from 6 months, the second time in recent months that such a ban has been applied to an Addameer lawyer during prison hunger strikes.
In response to these attacks, Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike issued another statement reiterating their demands:
Despite the threat of the executioner, and the strength of his weapons, we will
1 – end the policy of solitary confinement
2 – close the file of administrative detention
3 – Cancel the actions taken after the capture of Shalit and the most important of which prevent the prisoners of Gaza Strip’s (456) prisoners from visiting their parents
4 – Allow higher education.
2 – close the file of administrative detention
3 – Cancel the actions taken after the capture of Shalit and the most important of which prevent the prisoners of Gaza Strip’s (456) prisoners from visiting their parents
4 – Allow higher education.
On Prisoner’s Day, this will not be just
another day of another year. Therefore, they are preparing to confront
the torturers, the executioners, and their weapons, and despite the
failure of the international community, we stand armed with only our
empty stomachs and solid will derived from the heroic march of our
people who continue to resist, and we have faith in victory and the
justice of our struggle for freedom.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Adnan: Crowd's joy made me forget all suffering
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- “The happiness I saw on my peoples’ faces made me forget all the suffering I experienced when I was on hunger strike,” freed Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan said Wednesday.
When he arrived in Jenin, instead of going home, Adnan chose to head to the sit-in tent in Arraba village to meet with parents of prisoner Jaafar Izz Addin who is now on hunger strike protesting Israeli policies against prisoners.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered on Tuesday night to greet the former detainee, whose 66-day hunger strike inspired others to protest administrative detention.
Adnan proceeded to visit the al-Aridha family who have three brothers in Israeli jails. Amjad al-Aridha is serving a 20-year sentence, his brother Mahmoud is serving life sentence, and Raddad al-Aridha is also detained in Israeli jail.
As time ran out, Adnan insisted on visiting the sit-in tent in Kafr Raai village after midnight to meet with the mother of prisoner Bilal Thiab who has been on hunger strike for more than 50 days.
He arrived at 3 a.m. and told Thiab's mother that when her son bid him farewell he was chanting “Allahu akbar”. Other prisoners Thaer Halhla, Hasan Safadi, Omar Shallala and Mahmoud Siksik also chanted “Allahu Akbar” from inside their prison cells because they were not allowed to bid him farewell, Adnan explained.
Asked about the last moments before he left his cell in Ramla prison for freedom, Adnan said, “It looked like an uprising as all my hunger-striking fellow prisoners began chanting 'Allahu akbar.'
"I tried to bid them farewell," he added, "but I was denied that and was moved from one detention center to another until I finally arrived at Salem center in the northern West Bank.”
Adnan highlighted that his release was delayed 16 hours as he was moved from one place to another. He was not released from Salem center, but was handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross which took him to Arraba.
“When I noted that delay, I started a hunger strike again fearing the Israelis might go back on their word.”
“They detained me in the darkness so that nobody could see them, and when they released me they did it in the darkness so that nobody could welcome me. They failed in that because I had a reception which indicates that our people are still committed to the prisoners' cause and will support them until they are all freed,” Adnan said.
Adnan pointed out that Israeli prison authorities shut down the windows of all cells when they moved him to prevent other inmates from seeing him released.
With regard to the feasibility of hunger strikes, Adnan said it would be better if it is done in stages starting first with dozens or hundreds of prisoners, then gradually others join them until all prisoners are on hunger strike. The longer prisoners continue with hunger strike, the better they can expose the occupation’s policies and injustice to the world, he said.
As for the current situation with 1,600 prisoners on hunger strike, Adnan suggested that other prisoners join them in stages with 500 joining at each stage.
“My hunger strike was not a new form of hunger strike, but the long duration gave it special importance. This is like vertical expansion where you construct a building on a small area of land, but that building benefits everybody.”
Israel frees Khader Adnan
Khader Adnan's 66-day hunger strike inspired hundreds of prisoners to take
on Israel's policy of holding detainees without charge.
on Israel's policy of holding detainees without charge.
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities released former hunger-striking administrative detainee Khader Adnan late Tuesday, a Ma'an correspondent reported.
Adnan arrived at his home in Araba in the northern West Bank to meet his family before returning to a tent reception where he spoke to well-wishers and officials in the village.
Hundreds of Palestinians chanted slogans in solidarity with prisoners as they welcomed the former detainee, whose 66-day hunger strike inspired others to protest administrative detention.
Under the provision, Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Inspired by Adnan's protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
On Tuesday, at least 1,200 prisoners in Israeli jails launched an open-ended hunger strike.
Hundreds joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
Reuters contributed to this report.
320 International Organization Launches International Appeal to Support the Demands of the Prisoners on Hunger Strike
Euromid.org
The
Eruo-Mediterranean Observer for Human Rights announced the launch of
the biggest international appeal to support the demands of the
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli prisons, with the
support of 320 international and local human rights organizations.
The
launch of the International Solidarity Appeal, which carries the name
"Thirst for Freedom", comes in conjunction with the anniversary of the
"Palestinian Prisoners' Day". In this day, 1600 Palestinian prisoners,
in the prisons of the Israeli occupation, start the widest hunger strike
movement to protest against the poor conditions of their detention,
which in turn is part of the perpetuating policy of administrative
detention and solitary confinement imposed against them.
The
delegate of the Euro-Mid stated that 320 non-governmental organizations
around the world responded to the Euro-Mid call to activate the issue
of the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike on an international level
and to pledge to work through the mechanisms of the international law to
hold pressure on the Israeli occupation in order to achieve the fair
demands of the prisoners. This statement came in the press conference
held today at Beach Hotel in Gaza.
Some
of the demands included in the International Solidarity Appeal are: "…
we are calling for justice and law enforcement and, we are calling …to
halt the inhuman policies of confinement against the detainees. … to
allow the detainees of the Gaza Strip to meet their relatives, having
been deprived from such visits since 2006 up till now… to stop the
policies taken against them; such as, the sudden nocturnal inspection of
their rooms; to stop the humiliating strip inspections, which is
humiliating for them and their families during the social visits.”
Ms.
Amnai Al-Senwar, the Regional Director of the Euro-Med in Amman,
commented that: "The institutions signing the appeal are acting in this
appeal as a united coalition with all the international institutions,
especially the UN Human Rights Council and its committees, and pledges
to take the necessary measures to support the demands of prisoners on
hunger strike, according to the development of their strike and the
response of the Israeli side to their demands.”
It
is worth mentioning that the signature on the international appeal
"Thirst for Freedom" is still open to all organizations and human rights
organizations around the world that desires to join this appeal. The
Appeal can be accessed through the website of the Euro-Mediterranean
Observatory, or through direct contact with its headquarters in Geneva,
or the regional administration in the Amman, Jordan
UFree Network | Media Centre
UFree is an independent European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian prisoners and detainees
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Palestinian captives launch the "dignity strike"
WEST BANK, ( PIC)-- Thousands of Palestinian prisoners from a number of different factions who are held in the occupation jails launched, on Tuesday (17 April) which coincides with the "Palestinian Prisoners' Day", an indefinite hunger strike referred to as the Karameh (dignity) strike, declaring their determination to continue their strike until their demands are met.
The prisoners confirmed that after three years of communications, the various political currents in the prisoners' movement have reached an agreement to escalate the ongoing hunger strikes" to demand their rights which are ignored by the occupation government for many long years.
Thus, the prisoners launch on the 17th April (the Palestinian Prisoners' Day) "an open hunger strike. This means their refusal of all forms of food and liquid (with the exception of water) until their demands are met" The captives noted that the strike is the only tool that they have to obtain their rights, to put pressure on the occupation government and force it to negotiate with the prisoners' movement."
The main demands of Karameh strike are: first to end to the policy of solitary confinement under which some prisoners have been isolated for more than a decade, second to permit the prisoners' families from the Gaza Strip their right to visit prisoners which has been denied to all families for more than 6 years, third, to improve the living conditions of prisoners that has collapsed by unfair political decisions such as the ‘Shalit’ law, which outlaws learning, newspapers and many TV channels.
Palestinian inmates launch 'battle of empty stomachs'
Published yesterday (updated) 18/04/2012 01:17
Palestinian children take part in a rally in front of the Red Cross headquarters
in Gaza City marking Palestinian Prisoners Day, April 17, 2012.
(Reuters/Suhaib Salem)
in Gaza City marking Palestinian Prisoners Day, April 17, 2012.
(Reuters/Suhaib Salem)
RAMALLAH
(Reuters) -- At least 1,200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
launched an open-ended hunger strike on Tuesday, upping the stakes in a
protest movement that has put Israel under pressure.
Israel has already struck deals with two Palestinian detainees this year after they staged prolonged hunger strikes and 10 other inmates have been refusing to take food in an ad-hoc campaign that has gathered unexpected momentum.
Hundreds more joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" on Tuesday to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
"I am afraid for the life of my son. I am afraid for all their lives. All the prisoners are as dear to me as my son is," said Gaza resident Zbaida Al-Masri, adding that her son, Yusri, was serving a 20-year-term for fighting against Israel.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Prisoners in Ofer jail said all its inmates had joined the strike, and that Israeli prison authorities have threatened to forbid family visits, close amenities, and extend solitary confinement and transfer to other jails.
The hunger strikers have a long list of complaints, including the Israeli use of solitary confinement, the difficulty many having in securing family visits and the strip searches that are imposed on visitors.
Palestinians also denounce so-called administrative detention, whereby Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Divided
Although all the main Palestinian political factions said they were backing the action, divisions swiftly appeared, with prisoners belonging to the Fatah faction accusing the Islamist rivals Hamas of using the campaign to divert attention from its own internal divisions.
Attempts to end a feud between President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, which holds sway in the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza, have so far failed to bear fruit.
Abbas urged the prisoners to remain united in their cause on Tuesday.
"The sole beneficiary of the Palestinian split is Israel, the occupying power," he said in a statement. "Preserve the unity of prisoners' movement, because you know what divisions and disagreements have done to our homeland and our just cause."
The president added that PA will seek formal prisoner of war status for high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to demand implementing the convention in the Palestinian territory, official PA news agency Wafa reported.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
The start of the mass hunger strike coincides with the expected release of Khader Adnan, 33, who refused food for 66 days before agreeing to a deal to secure his freedom.
Inspired by his protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
At the pro-prisoner rally in Gaza, boys in chains stood before the crowd as demonstrators set fire to an Israeli flag. On a nearby float, a dummy representing an Israeli soldier sat dejected-looking in an iron cage.
"We demand that the Palestinian resistance carries out a second prisoner swap deal," said Ahmed Bahar, a senior Hamas politician, hinting that militants should try to seize an Israeli soldier and use him to barter for Palestinians.
Israel agreed last year to free over 1,000 Palestinians in return for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held in Gaza for five years.
Ma'an staff in Bethlehem contributed to this report
Israel has already struck deals with two Palestinian detainees this year after they staged prolonged hunger strikes and 10 other inmates have been refusing to take food in an ad-hoc campaign that has gathered unexpected momentum.
Hundreds more joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" on Tuesday to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
"I am afraid for the life of my son. I am afraid for all their lives. All the prisoners are as dear to me as my son is," said Gaza resident Zbaida Al-Masri, adding that her son, Yusri, was serving a 20-year-term for fighting against Israel.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Prisoners in Ofer jail said all its inmates had joined the strike, and that Israeli prison authorities have threatened to forbid family visits, close amenities, and extend solitary confinement and transfer to other jails.
The hunger strikers have a long list of complaints, including the Israeli use of solitary confinement, the difficulty many having in securing family visits and the strip searches that are imposed on visitors.
Palestinians also denounce so-called administrative detention, whereby Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Divided
Although all the main Palestinian political factions said they were backing the action, divisions swiftly appeared, with prisoners belonging to the Fatah faction accusing the Islamist rivals Hamas of using the campaign to divert attention from its own internal divisions.
Attempts to end a feud between President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, which holds sway in the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza, have so far failed to bear fruit.
Abbas urged the prisoners to remain united in their cause on Tuesday.
"The sole beneficiary of the Palestinian split is Israel, the occupying power," he said in a statement. "Preserve the unity of prisoners' movement, because you know what divisions and disagreements have done to our homeland and our just cause."
The president added that PA will seek formal prisoner of war status for high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to demand implementing the convention in the Palestinian territory, official PA news agency Wafa reported.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
The start of the mass hunger strike coincides with the expected release of Khader Adnan, 33, who refused food for 66 days before agreeing to a deal to secure his freedom.
Inspired by his protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
At the pro-prisoner rally in Gaza, boys in chains stood before the crowd as demonstrators set fire to an Israeli flag. On a nearby float, a dummy representing an Israeli soldier sat dejected-looking in an iron cage.
"We demand that the Palestinian resistance carries out a second prisoner swap deal," said Ahmed Bahar, a senior Hamas politician, hinting that militants should try to seize an Israeli soldier and use him to barter for Palestinians.
Israel agreed last year to free over 1,000 Palestinians in return for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held in Gaza for five years.
Ma'an staff in Bethlehem contributed to this report
Conscientious objector Noam Gur sentenced to prison for her refusal to join the Israeli Army
Noam Gur, 18 year old from, Kiryat Motzkin near Haifa, arrived yesterday morning, Monday, 16 April, to the Induction Base in Tel Hashomer, where she declared her refusal to serve in the Israeli Army as it is an occupying force. She was sentenced to 10 days of imprisonment for her refusal.
In her refusal declaration Noam wrote:
"I
refuse to join an army that has, since it was established, been engaged
in dominating another nation, in plundering and terrorizing a civilian
population that is under its control."
- You can read more about Noam here
- Her prison address is:
- Noam Gur
Military ID 6084062
- Military Prison No. 6
- Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Since
the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned
objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support
and encouragement via e-mail to: messages2prison@newprofile.org
(hitting “reply all” to this message will send the message to the same
address), and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.
Recommended Action
First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.
First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.
Other recommendations for action:
1. Sending Letters of Support
Please send Noam letters of support to the prison address above and to messages2prison@newprofile.org.
2. Letters to Authorities
It is recommended to send letters of protest on the objectors’ behalf, preferably by fax, to:
- Mr. Ehud Barak,
Minister of Defence,
Ministry of Defence,
Hakirya,
Tel-Aviv 64743,
Israel.
E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Tel.: ++972-3-6975540 or ++972-3-6975423
Fax: ++972-3-6976711
Copies of your letters can also be sent to the commander of the military prison at:
- Commander of Military Prison No. 6,
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Another useful address for sending copies would be the Military Attorney General:
- Denny Efroni,
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-569-45-26
It
would be especially useful to send your appeals to the Commander of the
Induction Base in Tel-HaShomer. It is this officer that ultimately
decides whether an objector is to be exempted from military service or
sent to another round in prison, and it is the same officer who is
ultimately in charge of the military Conscience Committee:
- Gil Ben Shaul,
Commander of Induction Base,
Meitav, Tel-HaShomer
Military Postal Code 02718, IDF
Israel.
Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52
For
those of you who live outside Israel, it would be very effective to
send protests to your local Israeli embassy. You can find the address of
your local embassy on the web.
Here is a generic sample letter, which you can use in sending appeals to authorities on the prisoners’ behalf. Feel free to modify this letter or write your own:
- Dear Sir/Madam,
It has come to my
attention that Noam Gur (military ID 6084062), a conscientious objector
to military service, has been imprisoned for the second time for his
refusal to become part of the Israeli army, and is held in Military
Prison no. 6 near Atlit.
The imprisonment of
conscientious objectors such as Gur is a violation of international law,
of basic human rights and of plain morals.
I therefore call for the
immediate and unconditional release from prison of Noam Gur, without
threat of further imprisonment in the future, and urge you and the
system you are heading to respect the dignity and person of
conscientious objectors, indeed of all persons, in the future.
Sincerely,
3. Letters to media in Israel and in other countries
Writing op-ed pieces and letters to editors of media in Israel and other
countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully
pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in
bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.
countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully
pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in
bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.
Here are some contact details for the main media outlets in Israel:
Ma'ariv:
2 Karlibach st.
Tel-Aviv 67132
Israel
Fax: +972-3-561-06-14
e-mail: editor@maariv.co.ileditor@maariv.co.il>
2 Karlibach st.
Tel-Aviv 67132
Israel
Fax: +972-3-561-06-14
e-mail: editor@maariv.co.il
Yedioth Aharonoth:
2 Moses st.
Tel-Aviv
Israel
Fax: +972-3-608-25-46
2 Moses st.
Tel-Aviv
Israel
Fax: +972-3-608-25-46
Ha'aretz (Hebrew):
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-681-00-12
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-681-00-12
Ha'aretz (English edition):
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-512-11-56
e-mail: letters@haaretz.co.illetters@haaretz.co.il>
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-512-11-56
e-mail: letters@haaretz.co.il
Israel Hayom:
2 Hashlosha st.
The B1 Building
Tel-Aviv
Israel
e-mail: hayom@israelhayom.co.ilhayom@israelhayom.co.il>
2 Hashlosha st.
The B1 Building
Tel-Aviv
Israel
e-mail: hayom@israelhayom.co.il
Jerusalem Post:
P.O. Box 81
Jerusalem 91000
Israel
Fax: +972-2-538-95-27
e-mail: news@jpost.co.ilnews@jpost.co.il> or
letters@jpost.co.illetters@jpost.co.il>
P.O. Box 81
Jerusalem 91000
Israel
Fax: +972-2-538-95-27
e-mail: news@jpost.co.il
letters@jpost.co.il
Radio (fax numbers):
Kol-Israel: +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09
Kol-Israel: +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09
Galei Zahal +972-3-512-67-20
Television (fax numbers):
Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36
Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09
Channel 10 +972-3-733-16-66
Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36
Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09
Channel 10 +972-3-733-16-66
Relatives of Egyptian prisoners stage sit-in
EL-ARISH, (PIC)-- Relatives of Egyptian prisoners in Israeli jails have staged a sit-in in front of the Egyptian military intelligence headquarters in El-Arish in northern Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday.
The sit-in, which coincided with the Palestinian prisoner’s day and the start of a hunger strike in Israeli jails, demanded the immediate release of 60 Egyptians still held in those jails.
An Egyptian security official met with the relatives and took from them a list of names of 60 Egyptians held in Israeli jails and promised to relay their request to the concerned parties.
Israel released 25 Egyptian prisoners last year in return for the release of its spy Elan Grapel. Reports said that Cairo would release another convicted spy Oda Tarabin in return for the release of the remaining Egyptian prisoners.
'Israel mass grave must exclude Palestinians'
JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- A
group of relatives of Palestinians killed by Israel demanded Tuesday
that the Israeli government exclude their remains from a state plan to
bury unidentified remains.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported that 8,000 jars of human remains are to be given a proper burial, under a national program unveiled Sunday by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Palestinian relatives insisted that Israel follow through on its agreement with the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs in summer 2011 in which it agreed to release nearly 200 bodies of slain Palestinians.
In a statement, the group condemned Israel's "defiance of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in which Israel is obligated to return victims of war to their families."
It was not immediately clear if the unidentified remains kept by Israel would include Palestinians.
The burial process will start on May 20, Haaretz reported.
Families who wish to have their loved ones' tissues and organs buried together with relatives, instead of in a mass grave, will be permitted to do so, according to the report.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported that 8,000 jars of human remains are to be given a proper burial, under a national program unveiled Sunday by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Palestinian relatives insisted that Israel follow through on its agreement with the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs in summer 2011 in which it agreed to release nearly 200 bodies of slain Palestinians.
In a statement, the group condemned Israel's "defiance of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in which Israel is obligated to return victims of war to their families."
It was not immediately clear if the unidentified remains kept by Israel would include Palestinians.
The burial process will start on May 20, Haaretz reported.
Families who wish to have their loved ones' tissues and organs buried together with relatives, instead of in a mass grave, will be permitted to do so, according to the report.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The torment of an isolated captive’s family continue 21 years on
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Palestinian captive Rizk Abdallah Muslim Rajoub from Dura south of Al-Khalil spent 11th month in the solitary confinement in "Ohali Kidar" prison. Rajoub spent twenty-one years in occupation jails on aggregate so far.
Rajoub's wife says that the occupation did not stop arresting her husband repeatedly since 1980 (two years after their marriage) that marked the beginning of the family's suffering and deprivation.
She explains to "Quds Press" reporter that her husband (55 years) is now suffering from serious health problems such as anemia as a result of repeated detentions and that on his last arrest in 25th November 2009, he was sentenced to three years and a half from which he spent 11 months in solitary confinement deprived of his family's visits.
The family's torment was augmented by occupation's arrest of their eldest son Ahmad at the age of eighteen years, in addition to administrative detention for most of Rajoub's extended family members whose only guilt was knowing "Abu Ahmed". Yet, the wife stressed on the family’s steadfastness and readiness to confront the occupation until their last breath.
Tunisia: Call for a ship to cruise Mediterranean in solidarity with prisoners
TUNISIA, (PIC)-- "The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights" called for an international campaign in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in the occupation jails, who launch on Tuesday 17 April an indefinite hunger strike to achieve their demands in improving their conditions.
The League said it was important to "organize a broad campaign in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners through sending a ship from Tunisia towards the Mediterranean countries' ports," that aims at highlighting and internationalizing the prisoners' issue, and that will be loaded with an exhibition of Palestinian prisoners' products and creative works, in order to introduce people of the Mediterranean to their cause. "
In a press statement on the occasion of "Palestinian Prisoners' Day", the League welcomed holding an international symposium hosted by the UN in Tunisia to discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners in occupation jails, stressing the need to "find serious and effective solutions to stop the occupation's repressive and inhuman practices against prisoners, especially the administrative detention policy and to force the Zionist entity to abide by all international norms and conventions in its treatments to the Palestinian prisoners, as the Geneva Convention. "
Halhale slips into a coma
[ 17/04/2012 - 04:19 PM ]
He said that the health condition of his son greatly deteriorated over the past few hours after 50 days of hunger strike.
Aziz explained that his son was suffering from fainting ever since Monday night in addition to non-stop bleeding from his mouth and nose.
Thaer is between life and
death, the father said, and called on the human rights groups and those
concerned with prisoners’ affairs to immediately intervene to save his son’s
life before it is too late.
Britain resumes bid to deport Bethlehem-born cleric
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| Preacher Abu Qatada is seen in this undated file image taken from television footage, appealing for the release of Briton Norman Kember who was taken hostage in Iraq. (Reuters/HO) |
LONDON (Reuters) --
Britain said on Tuesday it had re-arrested a Bethlehem-born cleric once
described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" and would
resume plans to deport him to Jordan, where he has been convicted in his
absence of involvement in terrorist plots.
Preacher Abu Qatada, who holds Jordanian nationality, has been under virtual house arrest at his family home in London since February, when he was freed from a British prison after a court said his detention without trial was unlawful.
The court's decision followed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in January that Qatada would not receive a fair trial in Jordan because evidence against him may have been obtained using torture.
The findings have embarrassed the British government, which maintains that Qatada is a national security risk, and prompted calls from politicians to defy the European court and deport the cleric before London hosts the Olympic Games in July and August.
Qatada, whose real name is Omar Othman, has been fighting attempts to deport him for six years and his case has become an important test of how Britain treats foreign suspects accused of having links with groups such as al-Qaida.
Britain says videotapes of his sermons were found in a German apartment used by three of the people who carried out al-Qaida's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
A court in Jordan has found Qatada guilty in absentia of involvement in two bomb plots and a senior British judge has described him as a "truly dangerous" supporter of radical Islamist groups.
Qatada, a father of five, denies belonging to al-Qaida.
He was described as bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" by Spanish high court judge and human rights investigator Baltasar Garzon in 2004 after 191 people were killed by bombs put on board commuter trains in Madrid by Islamist militants.
British Home Secretary Theresa May, responsible for domestic security, traveled to Jordan in March to seek a deal that would allow the deportation to proceed by gaining assurances that torture evidence would not be used against Qatada.
She was due to update parliament later on the progress of negotiations with Jordan.
Qatada was expected to appear in a specialist court where the government would seek to overturn his bail and return him to prison.
"UK Border Agency officers have today arrested Abu Qatada and told him that we intend to resume deportation proceedings against him," the Home Office said in a statement.
Al-Qaida last week warned Britain against sending Qatada to Jordan, saying in a statement on an Islamist website that such a move would open the "door of evil" for the British government and its people.
Qatada was born in 1960 near Bethlehem, then controlled by Jordan and now part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Never formally charged with an offense, he has been in and out of custody since he was first detained under anti-terrorism laws in 2002.
Since his release Qatada has had to wear an electronic tag to allow the police to keep track of him and spend 22 hours a day at his family home. He was also banned from using the Internet and mobile phones.
Preacher Abu Qatada, who holds Jordanian nationality, has been under virtual house arrest at his family home in London since February, when he was freed from a British prison after a court said his detention without trial was unlawful.
The court's decision followed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in January that Qatada would not receive a fair trial in Jordan because evidence against him may have been obtained using torture.
The findings have embarrassed the British government, which maintains that Qatada is a national security risk, and prompted calls from politicians to defy the European court and deport the cleric before London hosts the Olympic Games in July and August.
Qatada, whose real name is Omar Othman, has been fighting attempts to deport him for six years and his case has become an important test of how Britain treats foreign suspects accused of having links with groups such as al-Qaida.
Britain says videotapes of his sermons were found in a German apartment used by three of the people who carried out al-Qaida's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
A court in Jordan has found Qatada guilty in absentia of involvement in two bomb plots and a senior British judge has described him as a "truly dangerous" supporter of radical Islamist groups.
Qatada, a father of five, denies belonging to al-Qaida.
He was described as bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" by Spanish high court judge and human rights investigator Baltasar Garzon in 2004 after 191 people were killed by bombs put on board commuter trains in Madrid by Islamist militants.
British Home Secretary Theresa May, responsible for domestic security, traveled to Jordan in March to seek a deal that would allow the deportation to proceed by gaining assurances that torture evidence would not be used against Qatada.
She was due to update parliament later on the progress of negotiations with Jordan.
Qatada was expected to appear in a specialist court where the government would seek to overturn his bail and return him to prison.
"UK Border Agency officers have today arrested Abu Qatada and told him that we intend to resume deportation proceedings against him," the Home Office said in a statement.
Al-Qaida last week warned Britain against sending Qatada to Jordan, saying in a statement on an Islamist website that such a move would open the "door of evil" for the British government and its people.
Qatada was born in 1960 near Bethlehem, then controlled by Jordan and now part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Never formally charged with an offense, he has been in and out of custody since he was first detained under anti-terrorism laws in 2002.
Since his release Qatada has had to wear an electronic tag to allow the police to keep track of him and spend 22 hours a day at his family home. He was also banned from using the Internet and mobile phones.
IOF soldiers arrest Palestinian woman
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian woman at a roadblock in Al-Khalil city after claiming she had a knife in her possession.
The IOF said that the knife was found with the 21-year-old woman during a regular search of passing by citizens.It claimed that the young woman might have been planning to attack an IOF soldier or a Jewish settler.
Gaza man seeking family reunification 'detained at Erez'
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) --
Israeli forces detained a Palestinian man at a military crossing from
the Gaza Strip last week, relatives told Ma'an.
Eyhab Ahmad Abu al-Jidyan, 39, attended an interview with security officials at the Erez crossing last Monday and never returned, his family said.
Abu al-Jidyan was seeking permission to bring his children, who are currently staying at a facility for people with disabilities in the West Bank, back to Gaza.
He currently visits his three children, who are blind, at the Ash-Shorouq center in Beit Jala once a year. Seeking to reunite the family, he tried to bring the children to his home in Jabalia refugee camp, where he is the sole parent of 10 children.
A spokesman for Israel's military department in charge of the crossing said he had no information about the detention.
Eyhab Ahmad Abu al-Jidyan, 39, attended an interview with security officials at the Erez crossing last Monday and never returned, his family said.
Abu al-Jidyan was seeking permission to bring his children, who are currently staying at a facility for people with disabilities in the West Bank, back to Gaza.
He currently visits his three children, who are blind, at the Ash-Shorouq center in Beit Jala once a year. Seeking to reunite the family, he tried to bring the children to his home in Jabalia refugee camp, where he is the sole parent of 10 children.
A spokesman for Israel's military department in charge of the crossing said he had no information about the detention.
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