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| Human Rights |
| courtesy The Electronic Intifada |
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Vermonters
for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel |
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The
Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others |
Prisoners Archive - June 2006
Actors at an Israeli court demonstrate Israel’s torture methods used against Palestinian detainees as described by witnesses. Source: Miftah
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Palestinian resistance demands 1,000 Palestinian detainees be released in exchange for soldier International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 A new ultimatum issued by resistance groups holding an Israeli soldier captive demanded the release of 1,000 of the over 8,000 Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel - including women, children, party leaders and prisoners who are sick, elderly or disabled. "We are declaring to the public our just and humanitarian demands," said the statement faxed to news agencies by the Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam, the three groups claiming responsibility for holding the Israeli soldier. This is the second statement released by the groups - the first demanded the release of only women and children prisoners. The groups also demanded an end to the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. Israel Air Force hits Hamas, Fatah targets in Gaza Strip Ha''aretz 7/1/2006 Three Palestinian militant groups that captured an Israel Defense Forces soldier six days ago demanded in a statement Saturday that Israel free 1,000 Arab prisoners held in its jails and end its offensive in Gaza. (Click here for a map of Gaza)Israeli troops entered the southern Gaza Strip in the early hours of Wednesday, in a bid to pressure the Palestinians to release Corporal Gilad Shalit, abducted Sunday from a position near the Gaza border. The document titled "Military Statement Number Two", which was faxed to news agencies, did not specify whether the demands were for the release of Shalit. But a spokesman for the military wing of the governing Hamas party, one of the three factions, said they were conditions for freeing Shalit. Israel has repeatedly said it will not discuss releasing prisoners in exchange for Shalit. Fighters of the Al Aqsa Brigades say they abducted a soldier in the West Bank International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 A statement released by a group that belongs to the Al Aqsa brigades, the military wing of Fateh, reported that it abducted an Israeli soldier in the west Bank. The group said that it abducted, on Friday afternoon, an Israeli soldier identified as Haiman Keefer Shmoel. The Maan News Agency reported that the group gave the following details to confirm the abduction;Name of soldier: Haiman Kiefar Shmoel. Date of Birth: 24/8/1982. Identify Card Number: 062866256. Residency: Golan. A spokesperson of the Brigades said that Israel should immediately release the arrested Palestinian ministers and legislators, and should release all detainees held in Israeli jails. Also, the group demanded Israel to withdraw from the territories it invaded in Gaza and the west Bank and to stop its ground and air strikes. Hizbullah: Don''t give up soldier for nothing YNet News 6/30/2006 Lebanon''s terror group urges Palestinian terrorists to only free Israeli soldier captured in Gaza exchange for Palestinian prisoners. ‘There are 10,000 detainees and there is no method to free them except this method,'' organization chief Hassan Nasrallah says -- Lebanon''s Hizbullah terror group, which has swapped kidnapped Israelis for Arab prisoners in the past, urged Palestinian terrorists on Friday to only free an Israeli soldier captured in Gaza exchange for Palestinian prisoners. "There are 10,000 detainees and there is no method to free them except this method, except this path," Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah said. Terror victims: Don’t release prisoners for soldier YNet News 6/30/2006 In letter to prime minister, defense minister, terror victims’ organization Almagor warns of ramifications of freeing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for release of kidnapped soldier; organization’s suggested alternative: Threatening terrorists with death penalty -- The Almagor terror victims’ organization on Friday sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz, in which it calls on the two officials not to free Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of kidnapped soldier Corporal Gilad Soldier. The organization sent the letter in response to recent publications in Arab newspapers, according to which Israel is considering a deal in which it will free prisoners in exchange for the soldier’s release. Israel preparing charges against abducted Palestinian officials Ma''an News 6/30/2006 Bethlehem–Ma''an -- Bethlehem–Ma''an- Israeli sources confirmed that Israeli security decided to go ahead with abductions against Hamas members alongside "the closure of the money tap. " Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is expecting a menu of charges for the detainees from the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Shabak, Yoval Disken. The charges are being prepared because the legislative chancellor of the Israeli government refused to keep them under administrative detention, preferring to have them appear before a court within 96 days. [end] From the moment of their arrest, Palestinian governments begins nonviolent hunger strike Palestine News Network 6/30/2006 Palestinian human rights organization sources are reporting identical information regarding the immediate call to a nonviolent hunger strike upon the arrest of Palestinian government officials. Israeli forces arrested some 38 members of Palestinian government, including eight Palestinian Legislative Council members. However referring to this as “arrest” is difficult as it is for the over 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners’ currently in Israeli jails. These are more accurately referred to as “kidnappings,” as is being done regionally in the case of the elected government officials. The Palestinian Prisoner Society issued a statement denouncing these political arrests, as the Israeli government has been engaging in for years, regarding people in the prisons as bargaining chips. Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations: Safeguard the life and health of the abducted soldier B''tselem 6/27/2006 This coalition of organization calls on all groups holding the wounded soldier Gilad Shalit to adhere to the Geneva Convention which decrees responsibility to protect wounded and sick members of the armed forces and responsibility to provide adequate medical attention. In the Chapter dedicated to sick or wounded individuals, the Convention states specifically “Any attempts upon their lives, or violence to their persons, shall be strictly prohibited; in particular, they shall not be murdered or exterminated, subjected to torture or to biological experiments; they shall not willfully be left without medical assistance and care, nor shall conditions exposing them to contagion or infection be created. ”In the Chapter dedicated to prisoners of war, the Convention states that “Prisoners of war suffering from serious disease, or whose condition necessitates special treatment, a surgical operation or hospital care, must be admitted to any military or civilian medical unit where such treatment can be given. Israeli prison authorities transfer Qassam Brigades founder Ma''an News 6/30/2006 Salfit – Ma''an -- Israeli prison authorities transported Palestinian prisoner Zahir Ijbareen from a Beer Sheva prison to Hadarim Detention Center. Ijbareen is one of the founders of the Hamas related Izzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades in the West Bank and was arrested after years in hiding, he is accused of killing Israeli soldier Nikhshon Waxman thirteen years ago and was convicted by Israeli courts. Following his conviction, he was given a series of consecutive life sentences. [end] US military in Guantanamo scandal AlJazeera 7/1/2006 Guantanamo Bay detainees have had their letters and legal papers confiscated by military authorities investigating three apparent suicides at the prison three weeks ago, according to lawyers. Attorneys for prisoners at the facility said at least one detainee claimed the documents were taken because prison officials suspected the lawyers might have had advance knowledge of suicide attempts, or even encouraged them as a form of protest - an allegation the lawyers deny. "They think that they are going to find letters from us suggesting suicide. It''s ludicrous," said Clive Stafford Smith, legal director for Reprieve, a British human rights group that has filed legal challenges on behalf of about 35 men held at the prison for terrorism suspects. Found: ''Non-contactable'' witnesses who could free a Guantánamo detainee The Guardian 7/1/2006 Gardez, Afghanistan -- The United States government said it could not find the men that Guantánamo detainee Abdullah Mujahid believes could help set him free. The Guardian found them in three days. Two years ago the American military invited Mr Mujahid, a former Afghan police commander accused of plotting against the US, to prove his innocence before a special military tribunal. As was his right, Mr Mujahid called four witnesses from Afghanistan. But months later the tribunal president returned with bad news: the witnesses could not be found. Mr Mujahid''s hopes sank and he was returned to the wire-mesh cell where he remains today. AG refuses to ok use of Hamas officials as ''bargaining chips'' Ha''aretz 6/30/2006 Attorney General Menachem Mazuz refused a request by the Shin Bet security service and the government to place dozens of senior Hamas officials under administrative detention or hold them as "bargaining chips" under the Unlawful Combatants Law. Mazuz insisted that the arrests be carried out under ordinary criminal warrants that would require legal proceedings against the Hamas officials under the Prevention of Terror Ordinance. They will probably be charged with membership in or leadership of a terrorist organization. The detainees will be brought before a judge for a remand hearing within the next 96 hours, and legal proceedings against them will be carried out in military courts in the territories. Hamas official: Arrests a signal to kill Shalit YNet News 6/29/2006 Hamas will only release abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit when Israel releases all Palestinian prisoners, group leader in Lebanon Osama Hamdan says -- Hamas'' representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, told the Israeli Arab newspaper Kul al-Arab Thursday evening that "the Israeli government is determined to have the kidnapped soldier killed and its behavior sends a message to the resistance fighters that he should not be kept alive, but to kill him fast. " Hamdan spoke of the soldier''s kidnapping and the arrests that ensued: "Let the occupation stop trying to create a link between the kidnapping of the soldier in battlefield and its terrorist and criminal attitude in the form of the arrests of parliament members elected by the people in a democratic manner.... " Ramallah rises in protest Ma''an News 6/29/2006 Ramallah --Ramallah city witnessed any strikes and marches in which hundreds of Palestinian citizens participated to protest the Israeli attack on the strip and the kidnapping of Palestinian ministers and PLC members. Palestinian employees and citizens in the city participated in a strike in front of the PLC in te morning hours raising slogans and signs in which they reflect their strong condemnation to the Israeli" aggression". In the afternoon palestenian Islamic and national factions organized a march in which citizens participated , they raised signs and shouted slogans condemned the israeli attack and kidnapping of the Palestinian officials , they also raised slogans and shouted aginst Israel , the US and the EU, in addition to the raising of photos of the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. Palestinian prisoners'' families call for prisoner exchange at Jenin sit-in Ma''an News 6/29/2006 Jenin --Palestinian national and Islamic factions and the prisoners'' families organized a sit-in strike in front of the ICRC in the city of Jenin, Thursday. Palestinian representatives of many societies and associations participated in the strike in addition to the prisoners'' family members, calling on the Palestinian faction which captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, to exchange him for Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli prisons. [end] Hamas officials to stand trial YNet News 6/29/2006 Israel plans to submit criminal charges against senior Hamas leaders arrested Wednesday night, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz rules; according to Central Command chief, detainees won''t be used as bargaining chip -- Attorney General Menachem Mazuz ordered security forces to carry out criminal, rather than civilian arrests of Hamas senior officials, so that they can be tried according to the Terror-Prevention Act, sources in the Justice Ministry told Ynet Thursday. The detainees launched a hunger strike. Vice Premier Shimon Peres said in an interview to CNN that Israel intended to submit indictments against the Hamas members under arrest. Peres was asked in the interview why the Hamas top figures were arrested. He answered by saying that their arrest is not arbitrary... A Palestinian Behind Bars Islam Online 5/6/2006 Online dialog session:... What is the situation like in jail? Are you allowed to receive any personal visits? From your family or friends? Answer: Terrible, bad, bitter, list everything negative. We spend hard times in Israeli jails. Nagab and Ofera jails are the worst. They were recently opened. In Nagab jail there are 650 Palestinian prisoners. For example they were beaten and teargas was released at them. Not enough food, no electronic sets. No hot water, tents are crowded; more than 50 peeople in one tent. They lack food and clothes. There is a lot of sickness and disease.... Are you allowed to remain in touch with the outside world?... Answer: The Israeli authorities did their best to prevent us from being in touch with the outside world, they tried to separate some in solitude cells. Personally, I was isolated for 2 years... Supreme Court rejects Guantanamo military tribunals Information Clearing House 6/29/2006 Reuters -- In a sharp rebuke of President George W. Bush''s tactics in the war on terrorism, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down as unlawful the military tribunal system set up to try Guantanamo prisoners. By a 5-3 vote, the nation''s highest court declared that the tribunals, which Bush created right after the September 11 attacks, violated the Geneva Conventions and U.S. military rules. "We conclude that the military commission convened to try (Salim Ahmed) Hamdan lacks power to proceed because its structure and procedures violate" the international agreement that covers treatment of prisoners of war, as well as the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court majority. Israeli Troops arrest Legislative Council head, nine legislators, six ministers, mayor and deputy International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 In a wide-scale arrest raid carried in the West Bank, Wednesday after midnight, Israeli soldiers arrested head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, at least nine Legislators, seven ministers, the mayor of Qalqilia and his deputy. All of the arrestees are members of the Hamas movement. The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that soldiers arrested the head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Aziz Dweik, after surrounding a building in Al Baloa'' neighborhood, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Also in Ramallah, troops surrounded a residential building and arrested Vice Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, Dr. Nasser Al Deen Al Sha''er, Minister of Finance Dr. Omar Abdul-Raziq, Minister of Detainees Wasfi Qabha, and Minister of Planning Samir Abu Aisha. Gaza Invasion: EI co-founder and Shlomo Ben Ami on Democracy Now Electronic Intifada/Democracy Now! 6/28/2006 Israeli forces have invaded the Gaza Strip for the first time since withdrawing ten months ago. Israel says it''s launched the raid to recover captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was captured in a Palestinian operation on Sunday. The raid began after Israel rejected Shalit''s captors demand for the release of all Palestinian females and Palestinians below the age of eighteen in Israeli prisons. Israel opened the attack with a series of air strikes on three bridges and Gaza''s main power station. The attack left the power station in flames and knocked out electricity in most of Gaza City. Palestinian militants have reportedly taken up defensive positions around Gaza - setting the stage for a potential firefight with the invading soldiers. Palestinian deputy Prime Minister: the whole world moved to free the Israeli soldier, they must stop the genocide Ma''an News 6/28/2006 Ramallah --Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Nasser Addin Ash-Sha''er, said that the Palestinian factions who have signed the Prisoners'' Document will form a coalition government as soon as possible. The minister accused Israel of attempting to "demolish the National Unity Accord under the treads of tanks. "In the same joint press conference with the Palestinian treasurer, Dr. Omar Abdur-Razeq, the deputy prime minister added "We are waiting for crisis of the captured Israeli soldier to be over. The Palestinian government tries its best to preserve human life, endeavoring to provide security and stability for the Palestinians. " In this context, he appealed to captors of the Israeli soldier to preserve his life. He also said that he believes, "the life of the Israeli soldier is dependant on Israeli political decisions. " Hamas: Soldier to be kept alive YNet News 6/28/2006 Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy of Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal, says Israel''s military offensive in Gaza could jeopardize life of kidnapped Israeli soldier... believes abductors want to keep soldier alive to trade him for Palestinians detained by Israel -- Israel''s military offensive in Gaza could jeopardize the life of an Israeli soldier held by Palestinians, a senior Hamas official said Wednesday. Moussa Abu Marzouk, the deputy of Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal, spoke hours after Israeli jets blasted a Gaza power station, knocking out electricity in most of the territory, and Israeli tanks and thousands of troops took up positions near the town of Rafah.... "We don''t object to a political solution," said Abu-Marzouk. "But it''s up to Israel to accept the Egyptian mediation to talk about conditions for a deal regarding the Israeli prisoner. " Supreme Court overturns decision to keep 44 Africans in custody Ha''aretz 6/29/2006 The Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling Wednesday by finding substantial flaws in a Tel Aviv District Court decision to revoke the release of 44 African citizens currently in custody. Supreme Court Justice Miriam Naor yesterday ordered that a separate hearing be held for each detainee, that the hearings be attended by translators who speak a language spoken by the detainees, and that each detainee be provided with all relevant documents from the previous hearing. The detainees, from Togo, Liberia, Rwanda and Guinea, sneaked into Israel from Egypt during the past three months. The Court of Custody originally ordered the detainees be freed, after having been held without detention orders or under injunctions that did not apply to them. Former Israeli Knesset member, mother of slain soldier question Israeli "Rambo tactics" International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 In an exclusive interview with IMEMC, Uri Avnery, a former Member of the Israeli Knesset, and founder of the Israeli peace bloc Gush Shalom, warned, "If the Israeli army continues carrying out this operation, the life of the soldier will be in danger", referring to an ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank that aims to pressure Palestinian resistance groups to release a soldier abducted on Sunday. Avnery pointed out that a prisoner exchange, which would end the standoff, could be done out of the public eye, and such exchanges have been made before. He encouraged third-party involvement to negotiate a non-military solution. He challenged Israeli official accounts of the current situation, and criticized the international media for parroting the Israeli official accounts without question. Hamas makes deal with Fatah The Guardian 6/27/2006 Hamas and Fatah have reached agreement on a plan to end months of political deadlock in the Palestinian authority, but which may fall short of international demands to recognise Israel. The joint political platform, drawn up by militant prisoners in Israeli jails, calls for a Palestinian state ruled by a coalition government alongside an Israel confined within its pre-1967 borders. A Hamas MP denied that this implied the group now recognised Israel as one half of a two-state solution. "We said we accept a state [in territory occupied] in 1967 - but we did not say we accept two states," Salah al-Bardaweel told Reuters. A Hamas spokesman said the document - the subject of weeks of negotiations - included a "clear clause" referring to the group''s non-recognition of Israel. Knesset passes two amendments limiting security prisoners'' rights Ha''aretz 6/27/2006 The Knesset approved in second and third readings on Tuesday two significant criminal procedure law amendments designed to facilitate the interrogation of security prisoners by the Shin Bet security service. The first amendment extends the amount of time a Shin Bet officer or head of an interrogation team can hold a prisoner before the prisoner must be brought before a judge. Previously, the prisoner could not be held before being brought before a judge for more then 48 consecutive hours. The amendment allows the prisoner to be held for 96 hours if the interrogator believes stopping questioning after 48 hours would harm the investigation. The decision to extend the interrogation beyond 48 hours will require the approval of the Shin Bet interrogation department head or deputy head. 1,200 Palestinian political prisoners in Al Naqab Prison on nonviolent hunger strike International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 In the Negev Desert, 1,200 Palestinian political prisoners have launched a hunger strike to protest the arbitrary practices of the prison administration praticed against them. The strike comes in the wake of Monday’s attack on one section of the prison in which prison officials raided the cells, and then proceeded to confiscate and destroy electrical equipment, televisions, tape recorders, and other devices belonging to the prisoners. Political prisoners told PNN that this raid was merely the latest action in a long slew of brutality and senselessness carried out by prison officials. On Sunday, the officials cut out all electricity to the prison after Palestinians were seen to be celebrating the attack carrried by resistance fighters in Gaza that led to the capture of an Israeli soldier. Palestinians Demand Release of Women, Children Palestine Chronicle 6/27/2006 Israel has ruled out freeing any of the 9,000 Palestinians in its jails and threatened a major military offensive in response to the attack. -- GAZA CITY (Reuters) - Three Palestinian groups, including the armed wing of Hamas, have joined have called for the release of all Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails in exchange for information on a kidnapped soldier. In a statement on Monday, the three groups said: "The occupation will not get any information about the missing soldier, except after committing to first immediately release all women prisoners from Israeli prisoners. "Secondly, [we demand] the immediate release of all children under 18 years," they added. Is prisoner exchange deal in the works? YNet News 6/27/2006 Secretary-General of Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Mohammad al-Ramahi, says Israel has sent envoys to discuss prisoner release deal with kidnappers of Gilad Shalit; Israel denies -- A senior Hamas official said Tuesday that Israel is secretely discussing a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian officials to secure the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit in return for freeing Palestinian prisoners. Remarks by Palestinian Legislative Council Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad al-Ramahi contradicted Monday''s declaration by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who ruled out negotiations with the kidnappers. "Israeli authorities have sent secret envoys to the Palestinians to check the possibility of releasing the soldiers in return for prisoners," al-Ramahi said. Israel rejects prisoner swap AlJazeera 6/27/2006 Olmert says releasing prisoners is not on Israel''s agenda -- Israel has rejected a demand by Palestinian groups to release jailed women and children in return for information on an abducted Israeli soldier. Instead, Israel has threatened a punishing offensive in the Gaza Strip. In northern Gaza, Palestinians began blocking roads with mounds of earth as Israeli armour massed on the other side of the border and Israel awaited word on the fate of Corporal Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by fighters who infiltrated on Sunday. Izz al-Din al-Qassam, the governing Hamas movement''s armed wing, along with the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and the Islamic Army, said Israel would not get information about the soldier unless it freed all jailed Palestinian women and prisoners under 18 years old. Israel: A history of prisoner deals The Independent 6/27/2006 Israel has a history of negotiating prisoner exchanges with her enemies, who have often used hostage taking as a political tool. In 1985 Israel agreed to the release of more than 1,150 Palestinian prisoners in return for three soldiers taken captive in Lebanon. Almost 20 years later, a similar deal was reached with the militant group Hizbullah, in which years of German-brokered negotiations led to an agreement between Israel and the militants in early 2004 to release more than 400 militants in exchange for the businessman Tannenbaum Elhanan, who had been captured four years earlier, and the bodies of three soldiers. Despite a suicide bomber killing 10 Israelis on the day of the prisoners'' release, the exchange went ahead without a hitch. Israeli troops gather at Gaza borders as Palestinians try to find hostage The Guardian 6/27/2006 Olmert readies army for retaliatory strikes · Abbas urged to secure corporal''s release -- Israel continued to mass forces on the borders of Gaza yesterday to reinforce its demand for the immediate release of a captured Israeli soldier while Palestinian security services attempted to track down the kidnappers. Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, said he had told the Israeli army "to prepare for a broad and ongoing military operation to strike the terrorist leaders and all those involved". He said: "It should be clear. There will be immunity for no one. "In Gaza, the militant groups believed to be holding Gilad Shalit, 19, said they would release information about him when Israel frees all its female prisoners and those under 18. Israel insists that the release of its hostage should be unconditional. -- Listen: 27.06.06, audio: Chris McGreal reports from Israel (4:48) Exiled Hamas leader says Palestinians should seize more soldiers Ha''aretz 6/28/2006 A Hamas official close to the group''s exiled leader said Tuesday that the Palestinians should try to capture more Israel Defense Forces soldiers, criticizing Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for helping Israel search for a soldier seized by militants. Further complicating matters as IDF troops and armor massed on the Gaza border, another Hamas official from the exiled leadership said the soldier was considered a "prisoner of war" and it would be hard for Israel to win his release without making concessions. Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19, was seized Sunday by militants who infiltrated Israel''s border by a tunnel. The militants'' demanded the release of detained Palestinian women and children in return for information about Shalit. Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Paralyze Lives of Civilians in the Gaza Strip Electronic Intifada/PCHR 6/27/2006 PCHR views with gravity the collective punishment currently being imposed by IOF on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. This punishment is being inflicted through the complete land and sea closure of the Gaza Strip, including the closure of Rafah International Crossing Point on the border with Egypt, prevention of fishermen from going out to sea and constant aerial surveillance. In addition, PCHR is apprehensive over the consequences of the current situation, following the military operation near Kerem Shalom checkpoint on Sunday 25 June 2006, and the possibility of a wide scale ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The operation resulted in the death of two Palestinians from the group that conducted the operation and two IOF soldiers. Another IOF soldier was taken prisoner during the operation. State seeks to bar detainees from lawyer for 30 days Ha''aretz 6/27/2006 A controversial government bill that would significantly reduce detainees'' rights will be voted on today by the Knesset Constitution Committee. If approved, it will then go to the plenum for its second and third readings. As currently worded, the bill would enable security forces to hold security suspects for 96 hours without bringing them before a judge and to bar them from meeting with a lawyer for 30 days - both time periods significantly longer than the current limits. However, under pressure from Constitution Committee Chair Menachem Ben-Sasson (Kadima), Justice Ministry officials promised last week that they would submit a more moderate proposal today. Human rights organizations oppose the bill vehemently, charging it would eliminate the safeguards needed to protect detainees'' basic human rights. Hamas takes step towards recognition of Israel The Independent 6/28/2006 Hamas bowed to the combination of an ultimatum from the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and relentless international pressure last night by committing itself for the first time to a two-state solution of the conflict with Israel. In an important step towards the recognition of Israel sought from Hamas by the international community, the Islamic faction agreed to a deal intended to pave the way for a new coalition government which Mr Abbas hopes will bolster his standing as a potential partner for peace negotiations with Israel. Faced with Mr Abbas''s threat of a referendum next month on agreement to a two-state solution, Hamas agreed to a document based on that drawn up by a group of Fatah and Hamas prisoners which envisages a "final" settlement of the conflict with Israel. Fight breaks out between Jihad, Fatah security prisoners YNet News 6/23/2006 Roughly 150 prisoners from Fatah and Islamic Jihad serving sentences in Israel’s Shata prison came to blows after religious leader in prison criticized Abbas during Friday sermon -- A massive altercation broke out Friday afternoon amongst security prisoners from Fatah and Islamic Jihad factions incarcerated at the Shata prison. The fight erupted after one of the prisoner leaders delivered a Friday sermon in which he criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Following the sermon, which defined Olmert as “our enemy,” a mass quarrel broke out among roughly 150 of the prisoners. Climbdown as ''Hamas agrees to Israeli state'' Ha''aretz 6/22/2006 Yasser Abed Rabbo says group recognises right to exist · Hope for end to crippling sanctions on Palestinians -- Hamas has made a major political climbdown by agreeing to sections of a document that recognise Israel''s right to exist and a negotiated two-state solution, according to Palestinian leaders. In a bitter struggle for power, Hamas is bowing to an ultimatum from the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to endorse the document drawn up by Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails, or face a national referendum on the issue that could see the Islamist group stripped of power if it loses. But final agreement on the paper, designed to end international sanctions against the Hamas government that have crippled the Palestinian economy, has been slowed by wrangling over a national unity administration... Jailed PFLP leader sues British gov''t over abandoning Jericho prison Ha''aretz 6/22/2006 Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmed Saadat has filed a lawsuit against the British government for pulling wardens out of a West Bank prison that was later stormed by Israel Defense Forces forces, his lawyer said Wednesday. Attorney Kate Maynard said she had filed papers on behalf of Saadat, who is being held by Israel, alleging his human rights had been violated. The Foreign Office said it was aware the legal claim had been lodged. A High Court judge will decide whether the case can proceed. Saadat claims his human rights were violated by the March withdrawal of British wardens from a prison in Jericho where he was held. British and U.S. monitors supervised the prison under an unusual 2002 agreement. Palestinian detainees tortured, facing bad mental and health conditions International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that Palestinian detainees in Al Maskobiyya Israeli Prison in Jerusalem are facing bad treatment, torture and are suffering from deteriorating mental and health condition as a result of torture and abuse during interrogation. Detainee Jamil Hasan Mizhir, 20, from the West Bank city of Ramallah, stated that he was tortured during interrogation and was kicked and punched by the soldiers on various parts of his body. Also, one of the soldiers was continuously sticking Mizhir with a tip of a bullet on his back causing cuts to his skin. Also, the soldiers used the laser lights they have on their gun as a method of torture by repeatedly pointing it at the eyes of Mizhir. Mizhir was also tied to a chair for several hours, and then was forced to stand with his legs spread and hand up for an additional period of time. Palestinian Prisoner Society highlights tragic living conditions detainees face International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 The Palestinian Prisoner Society )PPS) is currently preparing to send a delegation of lawyers to visit Palestinian political prisoners in Al Naqab (Negev Desert) Prison inside southern Israeli borders. The visit comes in the wake of a hunger strike by prisoner Essam Faiz Aufa of Tulkarem. Aufa has declared a hunger strike for two day after he was repeatdly beaten by Israeli soldiers and prison officials. In addition to the cruel treatment he has endured while at Israeli Al Naqab Prison, Aufa also noted the injuries he suffered prior to his arrest, which included being shot in the leg. The lawyers'' visit to Al Naqab Prison comes in a time of criticism against Israeli prison officials for the poor and degrading living conditions that Palestinian prisons face while in captivity. Inmate appeals Prison Service policy of vetting letters Ha''aretz 6/21/2006 The Israel Prison Service (IPS) prohibits inmates from publishing letters in the press without prior authorization of their content, according to Mahmoud Rayid Magadba, an inmate currently serving a sentence at Shata prison. Magadba appealed to the Nazareth District Court against the IPS this week through his lawyer, Lila Margalit of the Association for Civil-Rights in Israel (ACRI). The appeal contests the IPS'' policy on the grounds that it contradicts a High Court of Justice ruling from 1996, according to which inmates'' freedom of speech can''t be violated since it is part of their human dignity. A year and a half ago, Magadba requested permission to publish a series of essays that he wrote about his experiences in prison. Suicide attacks to be ‘crimes against humanity''? YNet News 6/22/2006 Simon Wiesenthal Center in Australia spearheading international campaign to criminalize any act that support suicide bombings; ‘Australia should drive campaign because of pain suffered by its citizens in Bali bombings -- The Australian Federal Government is being urged to consider a convention to make suicide bombing a crime against humanity – a move that would have prevented Indonesia from releasing Jemaah Islamiyah’s spiritual leader, Abu Bakar Bashir, from prison last week. The convention, proposed by the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), was tabled at a meeting between Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and the SWC’s director of international relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, on Wednesday afternoon. Islamic Jihad: We would consider stopping the projectile-launching if all Israeli aggressions stopped Ma''an News 6/22/2006 Bethlehem -- The Islamic Jihad Movement has rejected the calls for the Palestinian factions to stop launching projectiles in the wake of the Israeli escalation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Khadir Habib, a prominent Islamic Jihad leader, said that Abbas'' call for the projectile-launching to be stopped is not enough as Abbas should have also called for the Israelis to stop their attacks and raids against the Palestinians. Speaking to Ma''an, Habib said that his movement may review its policy of launching projectiles if the Israeli troops stop their aggression against Palestinians. "We will continue defending our people," Habib said. Habib expressed reservations in regard to the Prisoners'' Document, saying that possibly Fatah and Hamas can bridge the gaps but there are many things in the document which the Islamic Jihad Movement does not agree with... Police preparing to evacuate illegal outposts next month Ha''aretz 6/22/2006 The Israel Police is readying to evacuate dozens of illegal outposts at the beginning of next month, sources said Wednesday. The decision to remove the outposts is still pending a cabinet decision, but the police are preparing for the possibility that they will be asked to implement the evacuation immediately. The evacuation is expected to begin with about 20 outposts, including Skali Farm and Havat Maon in the southern Hebron hills, the sources said. Police Operations Commander Bertie Ohayon yesterday met police, IDF and Prisons Service officers and outlined each body''s role in the evacuation. The participants were instructed to prepare action plans for logistics, technology, communications and media. Jew threatened pro-Palestinian French figures YNet News 6/22/2006 Raphael Schoemann receives 10-month suspended prison sentence for sending bullets accompanied by threatening notes reading ‘next one won''t arrive by post’ to high-profile figures considered sympathetic to Palestinian cause -- A 65-year-old French Jewish man was convicted in Paris Thursday for mailing bullets to high-profile figures considered sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Raphael Schoemann, who said he was a Holocaust camp survivor, received a 10-month suspended prison sentence for sending the bullets accompanied by threatening notes reading "the next one won''t arrive by the post. " Those who received the menaces included anti-globalization activist Jose Bove and Israeli filmmaker Eyal Sivan. Poll: Abbas plan unlikely to pass AlJazeera 6/20/2006 Abbas is engaged in a power struggle with the Hamas -- Palestinians may not pass a statehood referendum called by Mahmoud Abbas as they see the vote as a symbol of the power struggle between the Palestinian president and the Hamas government, a poll has found. While 75% of Palestinians backed the contents of the ''prisoners document'', only 47% said they would vote in favour of it in a referendum if it were held today. The survey, carried out by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, said 44% would vote against the document. The document, drawn up by Palestinian prisoners in an Israeli jail, implicitly acknowledges the existence of Israel and the supremacy of the Palestinian umbrella organisation, the PLO. Haniyeh: No unity government in PA YNet News 6/19/2006 Palestinian prime minister clarifies that Hamas will continue to be strong element of PA government for next four years, and only one of its leaders will head PA. EU Commissioner doesn’t plan to meet with Hamas leaders during tour of region -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh cooled winds Monday regarding the possibility of establishing a unity government headed by an independent Palestinian official. Haniyeh said the every government in the next four years would be appointed by Hamas and be led by a representative of the party, because it simply holds the most seats in the PA parliament.... Haniyeh said that it was too early to speak of a national unity government but noted that a dialogue between Palestinian faction regarding the Prisoners’ Document was progressing seriouslyand positively. Haniyeh: Hamas would form new government; salaries will be paid Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Gaza -- Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh has said that speaking about forming a new government as an alternative to the current government is premature and he has stressed that Hamas, as the largest bloc in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), would form any future government over the next four years. Haniyeh, who was speaking to the press after meeting Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustapha Barghouthi, highly praised the atmosphere of dialogue and said: "the discussion is continuing amongst a high sense of responsibility to reach an understanding on the rest of the Prisoner''s Document". Barghouthi said that his meeting with Haniyeh was positive and that serious discussions took place in regard to the formation of a new government in order to end the siege imposed on the Palestinian people. Al Quds Al Arabi: There will be a new Palestinian government of national unity Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Ma''an -- The Hamas movement has told the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper that they have agreed to the Prisoners'' Accord Document after some amendments were made to the document. They said that all the political factions had agreed to these amendments. Salah Bardawil, spokesman for the Hamas block in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), said that the amendments made related to the illegality of the occupation and that there will be no recognition of this illegal occupation. He confirmed that the dialogue in Gaza is proceeding positively and said that the road is gradually being paved for the formation of a national unity government. Palestinian sources said that the Haniyeh government will resign over the next few days and that a new government will be formed. Prisoners'' Supporters Society appeals to human rights institutions to immediately intervene to save their manager''s life Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Nablus -- Nablus-Ma''an–The Prisoners'' Supporters Society has appealed to human rights institutions for immediate intervention in order to save the life of the society''s general manager, Sa''id Yassin, who is being investigated in an Israeli prison at Petah Tiqwa. The manager of the society, Muhammad Basharat, told Ma''an that the society''s lawyer visited Yassin today, Monday, in his prison and reported that the sick man is subjected to internationally banned violations after 110 days of imprisonment. Basharat added that Yassin began a hunger strike three days ago, despite his illness. The society holds the Israeli authorities responsible for Sa''id Yassin''s safety and called upon international and humanitarian institutions to mediate with the Israelis to save Sa''id''s life. Five Palestinians arrested at Qalandia on Monday Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian citizens at the Qalandia checkpoint north of the city of Jerusalem on Monday. Palestinian sources said that the citizens came from Husan, a village south of Bethlehem, and included among the detainees were two brothers from the city of Bethlehem. [end] Hamas-Fatah Deal Possible within Two Days Palestine Chronicle/Haaretz 6/18/2006 Hamas parliament member Yunis Al-Astal said he expects the formation of a Palestinian national unity government within the coming days. -- A Fatah-Hamas agreement on the prisoners'' document - a blueprint for a national unity government drafted by Palestinians jailed in Israel - can be reached within the coming two days, Palestinian Parliament Chairman Sheikh Aziz Dawik of Hamas said on Saturday. Other senior Hamas leaders also said extensive efforts are being made to resolve the crisis between the two organizations. Hamas parliament member Yunis Al-Astal said he expects the formation of a Palestinian national unity government within the coming days. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas described the atmosphere in the most recent negotiations between the sides as "very positive. " Sa''adat may sue the UK government Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Bethlehem -- The committee defending Ahmad Sa''adat in Britain demanded on Monday a copy of the request for judicial review from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office that relates to the British role in the illegal seizure of Sa''adat from the Jericho jail in March 2006. On March 14, 2006 Israeli forces stormed the Palestinian prison in Jericho and re-arrested Sa''adat and a number of other Israeli detainees being held there under the Ramallah Agreement of 2002 whereby American and British observers monitored the Palestinian prison and the prisoners. The international monitors withdrew just minutes before Israeli forces attacked the prison and since that day, allegations have abounded about the role of the British and American monitors in the affair... Israeli administration will not allow lawyer to meet with his client, Palestinian political prisoner from Al Qassam Brigades Palestine News Network 6/18/2006 Prisoner Supporters issued a statement yesterday indicating that the Israeli prison administration is disallowing visits to Palestinian political prisoner Ibrahim Hamid. Israeli forces took him from his home late last month and have held him since in a prison camp for interrogation near Jerusalem. Lawyer Salih Mahameed submitted a request to visit the prisoner Ibrahim Hamid for the third time since his arrest on 23 May and was once again denied based upon “security concerns. ”Mahameed reported, “The arrest of his client Hamid, and the renewal of his imprisonment and rejection for visits four consecutive times in just three weeks is against the law. The lawyer is legally allowed to visit his client. Israeli forces break into Islamic charities, the university, homes, and arrest a Palestinian in another raid on the southern West Bank Palestine News Network 6/18/2006 Israeli forces raided the southern West Bank again this morning, taking a 22 year old university student from a northwestern Hebron village to an unknown location. At the same time Israeli forces broke into several homes in the town of Yatta to the south of Hebron. Official sources in the Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoner Society reported that Israeli military forces also raided the town of Sourif late in the night. They surrounded the house of Abd al Fattah Al Hour, west of the town, and burst into the family home of 22 year old university student, Saif. His father now has no idea where his son is. Israeli forces also raided Yatta in the south, hitting the local campus of Al Quds Open University, the local hospital, and an Islamic charity office, in addition to a number of homes. Poll: Small majority for prisoners'' document YNet News 6/19/2006 New poll published by Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shows close call between those who would vote for and against the prisoners'' document -- Anyone who expected sweeping support for the prisoners'' document in the Palestinian street will have to reconsider their expectations following a new poll released by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research head, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, showing that there is doubt whether Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas can win approval for the document. The most interesting figure in the survey addressed the intentions of those who said they would come and vote in the referendum. Of those, only 47 percent said they would vote for the prisoners'' document, while 44 percent said they opposed the document. Hamas: Zionists want PA civil war YNet News 6/17/2006 Group demands probe into transfer of 3,000 US-made M-16 rifles, large quantity of ammunition earmarked for President Abbas’ Force 17; ‘Arms transfer part of Zionist-American plot aimed at igniting civil war in PA,’ Hamas says in statement; Abbas denies reports of arms transfer -- Despite reports of progress in Fatah-Hamas talks on the prisoners’ document, Hamas demanded Saturday that the Palestinian Legislative Council launch an investigation on the transfer into the PA of 3,000 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition earmarked for President Mahmoud Abbas’ Force 17. The group said in a statement that trucks carrying 3,000 US-made M-16 rifles and three million bullets have crossed the Allenby Bridge in the past few days. Hamas and Fatah respond to Yasser Abed Rabbo''s comments about referendum Ma''an News 6/19/2006 Jerusalem -- The statements of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee member Yasser Abed Rabbo regarding the referendum has been responded to by both the Fatah and Hamas movements. Abed Rabbo has said that reaching agreement on the Prisoners'' Accord Document is not enough and that preparations for the referendum should continue. The Ma''an correspondent in Jerusalem asked the Minister of Refugee Affairs, Dr. Atif Adwan, to comment. He said that Abed Rabbo is an ''''odd'''' man with strange points of views and a man who cannot be steadfast to the national interest. He added that many people are against his statements and positions in general. Detainee lawyers Club conducting visits to a number of prisons Palestine News Network 6/16/2006 A recent visit by members of the Palestinian Detainee Lawyers Group to Israeli prisons has confirmed what many Palestinian officials have suspected to be true: general conditions inside the prisons are poor and do not appear to be improving. The lawyers described the living conditions and health care within with prison system to be inappropriate and inhumane. Upon visiting Kweji Central Prison, the lawyers spoke with several detainees including Ibrahim Habish of Nablus and Shadi Fayez Shabith of Qalqilya. Habish noted the lack of medical treatment he has received for an injury he suffered to his abdomen before the arrest. Shabith added his concern over the lack of medical attention he received for a knee injury that prevented him from sitting. Hamas PLC member''s car shot at by unknown gunmen in Jenin Ma''an News 6/16/2006 Jenin --Unknown armed men shot at the car of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, Khalid Said, of the Hamas Movement, in front of his house in Jenin in the northern West Bank on Friday morning. No injuries were reported. Palestinian sources said that Khalid Said told them that some armed men shot at his Subaru car, severely damaging it. He said that it was only the car which was shot at and that the house was not shot at. It is known that Said is a Hamas legislator who supports the dialogue based on the national accord, or prisoners'', document. Speaking to Ma''an, Said told the reporter that he is not accusing anybody. He added, however, that he believes the groups who oppose the dialogue''s success are behind such attacks. Sit-in in Jericho on Thursday demanding salary payment Ma''an News 6/16/2006 Jericho -- Governmental employees and prisoners'' families arranged a sit-in in the city of Jericho on Thursday protesting against the non-payment of their salaries. The participants distributed a statement calling on the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the International Red Cross Committee, all nations and world leaders to support and demonstrate their responsibilities towards the Palestinian people and children and take efforts to life the siege imposed on them. [end] Fatah Movement spokesman in Nablus praises Abbas'' comments at An-Najah Ma''an News 6/16/2006 Nablus --The Fatah movement praised the visit of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, to the city of Nablus on Thursday and his participation in the opening of the new An-Najah University campus. The movement also welcomed the position of Abbas granting a week to the Palestinian factions to complete a national dialogue about the National Accord Document, also known as the Prisoners'' Document. The media spokesman for the Fatah movement in the city of Nablus, Yusef Harb, said that Abbas'' speech gives confidence to the Palestinian nation again, in the hope that the completion of the national dialogue will give a complete understanding of the national issues and will be a call for unity under the difficult circumstances caused by the financial and the social blockade imposed on the Palestinian people. Bodies sent home from Guantanamo AlJazeera 6/17/2006 The bodies of three men who committed suicide at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre have been sent home, according to US officials. A commercial charter jet transported the bodies from the camp in Cuba to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Navy Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gordon, a defence department spokesman, said on Friday. Funeral rites were administered at Guantanamo by a Muslim imam assisted by Muslim personnel at the base, Gordon said. "The remains of the deceased detainees were treated with the utmost respect. " The two Saudis and one Yemeni hanged themselves with clothes and bedsheets in maximum security cells on June 10. The US military identified the three men as Ali Abdullah Ahmed of Yemen, and Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi al-Utaybi and Yassar Talal al-Zahrani, from Saudi Arabia. Sources reveal to PNN that relations between Haniya and Abbas are calming Palestine News Network 6/15/2006 The Palestine News Network has learned from sources close to Hamas and the Palestinian Government that a breakthrough in relations with the Presidency has occurred in recent days. President Mahmoud Abbas of Fateh and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas have come to several crucial agreements during their marathon meetings. The sources confirmed that a state of satisfaction prevailed among the Hamas party in light of assurances from President Abbas regarding the prisoners document. The President assured the Prime Minister that the document does not intend to overthrow the Hamas-led Government, as had been thought. ... Some figures in the office of the Prime Minister held meetings with Legislative Council and Fateh member Mohammad Dahlan, aiming to defuse tensions between Hamas and Fateh. US haredi groups slam PA prisoners’ document YNet News 6/15/2006 Coalition of American Orthodox Jewish organizations says document contains ‘unbridled affirmation of Palestinian violence against Israelis,’ and attempts to undermine Road Map for peace -- A coalition of American Orthodox Jewish organizations on Thursday strongly criticized the “Palestinian National Accord,” also known as the Prisoner’s Manifesto or document. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Rabbinical Council of America, National Council of Young Israel and Religious Zionists of America said in a joint statement, “People interested in Middle East peace cannot accept the ‘Palestinian National Accord,’ as it was written by terrorists and mass-murders currently serving time in jail for their horrendous crimes. " Inside Iran''s most notorious jail BBC 6/14/2006 Iran has for the first time opened the gates of its biggest and most notorious prison, Evin jail, to a group of foreign and local journalists. Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad said it was because some internet sites had published stories criticising Iran''s human rights record in prisons ahead of next week''s meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. We were only shown the women''s ward of Evin jail in the northern suburbs of the Iranian capital, Tehran, and were not allowed to film any of it, except for some empty dormitories. All the buildings we were shown appeared to have been recently refurbished. We were not allowed to choose where we went. Psychotherapy: The tour began with the hospital building, which the prison authorities said had been constructed in the past two years. Palestinian prisoners announce hunger strike in protest at their harsh conditions International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli detention center of Qadomem east of the West Bank city of Tulkarem have announced a hunger strike in protest at their conditions in the center, on Wednesday. The prisoners have informed the Palestinian prisoner society''s lawyer of their decision and said it comes as protest at the harsh medical conditions, bad food and the interrogation methods used by Israeli jail guards which include the beating of prisoners, forcing them to remain standing for long hours and subjecting themto sleep deprevation. The prisoners said that the jail administration are not allowing sick prisoners medical care or that if any care is given it so bad that it does more damage then good. [end] Israeli soldiers abuse Palestinian prisoners at Damoun prison Ma''an News 6/14/2006 Bethlehem -- The lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoners'' Society has reported that Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli Damoun prison on the outskirts of Haifa, during a search of prison cells. In a statement, the prisoners said that the prison administration found a cellular phone on Mufeid Tahaynah from Jenin during an Israeli strip-search of him. The soldiers beat him Tahaynah severely during the strip-search, causing injuries to his chest. Tahaynah has now been transferred to the prison clinic and given medicine and sedatives. The prison authorities have refused to transfer him to the hospital despite his obvious need for further medical treatment. [end] Israeli soldiers abuse Palestinian prisoners at Damoun prison Ma''an News 6/14/2006 Bethlehem -- The lawyer for the Palestinian Prisoners'' Society has reported that Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli Damoun prison on the outskirts of Haifa, during a search of prison cells. In a statement, the prisoners said that the prison administration found a cellular phone on Mufeid Tahaynah from Jenin during an Israeli strip-search of him. The soldiers beat him Tahaynah severely during the strip-search, causing injuries to his chest. Tahaynah has now been transferred to the prison clinic and given medicine and sedatives. The prison authorities have refused to transfer him to the hospital despite his obvious need for further medical treatment. [end] Palestinian female prisoners call hunger strike against conditions in Israeli prison Ma''an News 6/14/2006 Bethlehem -- Palestinian female prisoners suffer harsh conditions in the Israeli ''Talmund'' prison. It is reported that the Israeli authorities have put five female prisoners into solitary confinement and moved another prisoner, Amnah Muna, to an unknown location. Sources from the prison reported to the Prisoners'' Media Center that the prisoners have called a hunger strike protesting against the conditions that the jail''s administration imposed on them in solitary confinement. Through the strike they are calling on international human rights organizations to take action against the conditions of their imprisonment. TOMORROW: Paul Larudee Finally Gets His Day in Court International Solidarity Movement 6/14/2006 Tomorrow morning at 11:30, Paul Larudee, the 60 year-old piano tuner and ISM peace activist will get a court hearing to decide whether or not the state of Israel will succeed in its efforts to deny his entry to Palestine. In the Tel Aviv district court (Weizman street 1), Judge Pilpel will hear the arguments from both sides and decide whether or not to deport him back to California. Paul has been held in detention since the 4th of June. Paul’s reading and writing materials were confiscated by the Israeli authorities, but the latter were returned after consular and legal intervention. Only the representatives of the American consulate and his attorney are being allowed to speak with him. Unlike most other detainees in the same prison, he has not been allowed to use his cellular phone. Deteriorating conditions in Salem Israeli military prisons International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), Mustafa Al Azmouty, said that the conditions at Salem Israeli detention camp, west of the West Bank city of Jenin, are sharply deteriorating, while Prison Administration is rejecting to improve them and provide the detainees with their basic rights guaranteed by the International Law. After visiting several detainees on Tuesday, Al Azmouty said that the detainees complain of the mistreatment they face, the crowded rooms and insufficient food. Soldiers are punishing the detainees every time they complain of mistreatment or the over crowded rooms, and are confining several detainees to solitary without apparent reasons. One of the detainees told Al Azmouty that the room are very hot and filled with humidity, yet the Prison Administration is placing 40 detainees in seven small rooms... Prisoners'' families hold weekly sit-in outside IRC in Tulkarem Ma''an News 6/13/2006 Tulkarem -- Many prisoners'' families in the Tulkarem governorate held their weekly Tuesday sit-in in front of the headquarters of the International Red Cross in Tulkarem. These weekly protests are jointly organised by the Prisoners'' Families Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners'' Society in Tulkarem. Halima Irmilat from he Prisoners'' Society said that the sit-in was held to highlight the difficult conditions under which Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli jails. They emphasized the need for the provision of medical treatment of Palestinian prisoners as the Israeli prison authorities deny medical treatment to Palestinian prisoners. [end] Israeli military court extends Administrative Detention sentence, without charge or trial, for several Palestinian young people Palestine News Network 6/13/2006 Israeli authorities extended Administrative Detention periods, meaning without charge or trial, for several young Palestinians. According to the latest report from the well-respected Palestinian Prisoner Society, the of youth are all being held for varying periods of time based on secret information. Israeli courts routinely do not allow the accused or their lawyers to see the “evidence” used against them, leading any international lawyer to question the legitimacy of such a court system. Political prisoners and elected officials such as Marwan Al Barghouti of Fateh and Ahmed Sa’adat of the leftist PFLP “do not recognize the legitimacy of the occupation court” due to other reasons, they are still not respected in influential circles outside their own and the United States administration. PLO member calls for formation of national unity government Ma''an News 6/13/2006 Ramallah -- Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)Executive Committee member, Yasir Abed Rabbo, suggested in a press conference held in Ramallah, on Tuesday afternoon that a national unity government be formed, with a president that did not belong to a political faction. He suggested that the members of the government could also be independent. Abed Rabbo said that those who are familiar with the Prisoners'' National Accord would know that item 6 calls for the formation of a national unity government. This matter was not discussed at the national dialogue conference which meant that there was complete agreement on this item, which is contrary to other items in the document. Family disputes Guantanamo suicide AlJazeera 6/14/2006 The US detention centre has outraged the world -- The family of a Yemeni man US officials said killed himself at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay denied his death was a suicide, saying he had been murdered. Ali Abdullah, father of a Yemeni detainee found dead at the US prison on June 10, said: "This idea of suicide is a lie. My son wouldn''t commit suicide. My son was among those who memorised the Quran and was committed to his religion. He was assassinated by American soldiers and I call on the Yemeni and American governments for an international investigation," he told Aljazeera. The US military has identified the Yemeni who died at Guantanamo as Ali Abdullah Ahmed but the Aljazeera interview identified the father by that name and the son as Salah Ali. Egypt arrests 13 foreigners illegally crossing into Israel Ha''aretz 6/12/2006 Egypt arrested 13 foreigners trying to cross into Israel early Monday to seek asylum, a security official said. The 13 were captured at dawn trying to climb over a coil of barbed wire that lines the border between Israel and Egypt in the northeast Sinai desert, police said. The were found south of the official border-crossing with Israel, and some 40 kilometers east of El Arish, where the group was dropped off by a Bedouin gang of smugglers, officials said. The detainees included 11 Chinese and two men from Ghana, another official said. The Ghanaians were students at Cairo''s Al-Azhar Islamic University, he said. Jailed Hamas members retract their support for prisoners'' document after Abbas calls referendum Ha''aretz 6/13/2006 The Hamas prisoner who helped draft a proposal that would implicitly recognize Israel withdrew his name from the document yesterday on behalf of all Hamas prisoners. This deepens Palestinian divisions ahead of a referendum on the plan. A top Islamic Jihad prisoner who helped author the proposal withdrew his name as well. Spokesmen from the groups said the two retracted their support to protest a referendum on the document called by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Senior prisoners from Hamas and the rival Fatah movement drafted the platform in an Israeli prison last month as a way toward ending rising internal tensions. The plan calls for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, implicitly recognizing Israel''s existence. PLO Executive Committee member Tayseer Khalid: referendum does not mean door has closed on dialogue Ma''an News 6/12/2006 Gaza -- Tayseer Khalid, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, has stated that setting a date for the referendum does not mean that the door has closed on dialogue between the Palestinian factions and the reaching of an agreement. In a press conference held in Gaza, Mr. Khalid said that this referendum is the only way out of the current crisis faced by the Palestinians, particularly at a time when the Israelis are escalating the situation and their aggressions against the Palestinian people and factions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Khalid sees the referendum as the way out of the crisis and he called for the Palestinian factions, and all those participating in the dialogue, to find mutual ground of understanding. He expressed hope that an agreement will be reached on the prisoners'' document. [end] Two-thirds of Ma''an readers believe Palestinian factions should adopt the Prisoners'' Document Ma''an News 6/12/2006 Bethlehem -- The most recent poll held on Ma''an News Agency''s English-language website shows that two-thirds of Ma''an readers believe that the Palestinian political factions, predominately Fatah and Hamas, should adopt the Prisoners'', or National Accord, Document. Compared to the Arabic-language poll, a higher proportion of participants voted "yes" to the question "Should Fatah and Hamas adopt the National Accord Document? " while a lower proportion voted "no". 66% said "yes" on the English site whereas 58% said "yes" on the Arabic site. 26% said "no" on the English site compared to 39% on the Arabic site. However, a higher percentage (8% compared to 3%) said they did not know how to respond in the English-language poll. [end] Guantanamo suicides a ''PR move'' BBC 6/11/2006 A top US official has described the suicides of three detainees at the US base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as a "good PR move to draw attention". Colleen Graffy told the BBC the deaths were part of a strategy and "a tactic to further the jihadi cause", but taking their own lives was unnecessary. But lawyers say the men who hanged themselves had been driven by despair. A military investigation into the deaths is under way, amid growing calls for the centre to be moved or closed. Speaking to the BBC''s Newshour programme, Ms Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, said the three men did not value their lives nor the lives of those around them. Guantanamo suicides ''not PR move'' BBC 6/12/2006 The US state department has distanced itself from comments by a top official that the three suicides by prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were "a good PR move". Colleen Graffy told the BBC the deaths were part of a strategy and "a tactic to further the jihadi cause", but taking their own lives was unnecessary. "I would not say that it was a PR stunt," said spokesman Sean McCormack. Meanwhile, a US lawyer has said that one of three who killed themselves was due to be freed but did not know it. Mark Denbeaux, who represents some of the foreign detainees at the US camp in Cuba, said the man was among 141 prisoners due for release. He said the prisoner was not told because US officials had not decided which country he would be sent to. Suicides fuel new pressure to close Guantanamo The Daily Star 6/13/2006 Europeans on Monday seized on the suicides of three Guantanamo prisoners as more proof the US camp should be closed, and a top US official disowned a colleague''s comment that the deaths were a "good PR move. " Relatives of two Saudi detainees who died said the men could not have committed suicide as the US military reported, because they are strict Muslims, newspapers said on Monday. "Guantanamo should be closed. This is an occasion to reiterate that statement," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told reporters on arrival at a meeting of the bloc''s foreign ministers in Luxembourg. Germany said the US government had promised to provide it with a full explanation of the suicides. EU MPs back report on CIA jails AlJazeera 6/13/2006 EU lawmakers have backed accusations that the US Central Intelligence Agency had kidnapped and illegally held terrorism suspects on EU territory and flown them to countries that used torture. Their report draws largely the same conclusions as that issued by the Council of Europe last week, adding to the embarrassment faced by European governments over possible cooperation with US policies unpopular with domestic opinion. "In a number of cases, the CIA or other US services have been directly responsible for the illegal seizure, removal, abduction and detention of terrorist suspects on the territory of member states," read the text of the report approved late on Monday by a special committee of the European Parliament. Meshaal backs continued dialogue on subject of Prisoners'' Document Ma''an News 6/9/2006 Ma''an-The president of Hamas'' political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, said during his meeting with the Syrian foreign minister, Walid Al Muallim, that he backed the continuation of inter-Palestinian dialogue on the basis of the Prisoners'' Document. Al Muallim confirmed Syria''s wish for all possible efforts to be taken for the sake of strengthening Palestinian national unity and lifting the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people. He also reiterated Syria''s continued support for the Palestinians'' democratic choice. [end] PLC member Qaraqi'' backs the Prisoners'' Document as first Palestinian-led initiative since 2002 Ma''an News 6/9/2006 PLC member Issa Qaraqi'' has said that the prisoners'' document is the first Palestinian initiative since 2002 when the Saudi monarch spearheaded the Arab Initiative in Beirut. Israel rejected this initiative. In a statement issued on Friday, Qaraqi'' said that, in the current situation where the political horizon is blocked, the negotiations broken off and Israeli is trying to implement its unilateral plans, the prisoners'' initiative has ended the political freezing and formed a response to the Israeli allegations that there is no Palestinian partner. The PLC member also said that the document is trying to find common ground with the Hamas position and calls for a commitment to Arab and international law in accordance with the fourth Geneva Convention. Abbas''s political gambit Christian Science Monitor 6/9/2006 A two-state solution is implicit in a referendum that the Palestinian leader is likely to promote Saturday. -- JERUSALEM – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected Saturday to issue a decree that would set in motion a referendum on a document penned by prominent Palestinian prisoners on statehood that implicitly recognizes Israel. The Islamist Hamas Party rejects the proposal to take the question to the streets. Hamas insists that January''s election, which swept it to power, speaks for itself. The call to hold a referendum on the prisoner manifesto is a bold gambit by Mr. Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, who has been running low on options since the election of Hamas, which refuses to deal with Israel or forgo militancy against it. London chemical bomb suspects freed AlJazeera 6/10/2006 Some 250 officers were involved in last Thursday''s raid -- British police say they have freed without charge two brothers who were arrested in an anti-terrorist raid in east London last week, in which one of them was shot. Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, who is recovering from a gun-shot wound, and Abul Koyair, 20, were released on Friday after being held for questioning at a high security prison since police swooped on their house at dawn a week ago. The house in the ethnically mixed area of Forest Gate in east London that police suspected of being used for making a chemical bomb was raided by more than 250 officers. PA official: Mahmoud Abbas to hold referendum on July 31 Ha''aretz 6/9/2006 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will hold a referendum on a statehood proposal that implicitly recognizes Israel on July 31, after Hamas rejected the plan, officials said on Thursday. Abbas will issue a decree on Saturday formally announcing the referendum date, said the officials close to the PA chairman. The referendum will refer to the prisoners'' document, drafted by Palestinians jailed in Israel, which implicitly recognizes Israel by calling for a Palestinian state on all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day war. After initially calling the referendum earlier this week following failed talks with the Hamas-led government, Abbas has offered a few more days to reconsider its position. Israeli forces reinvade southern West Bank Hebron City, arrest 7 including a school teacher Palestine News Network 6/8/2006 This morning at dawn Israeli forces once again raided the southern West Bank city of Hebron, taking seven Palestinians to unknown locations. Israeli forces began Thursday morning''s invasion with a search campaign, opening fire and breaking into sleeping homes in several Hebron neighborhoods simultaneously. According to official sources from the Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Chamber of Commerce in Hebron, and joint operations of the Palestinian National Security, the invasion was large-scale, but par for the course.... For the first three days after an arrest, no one is allowed to know the locations of the people, not even the Red Cross. These three days are generally reported the same via the Palestinian Prisoner Society by those who survive them—interrogation and torture. Sleeping town awoken again at dawn by invading Israeli forces who arrest three young people Palestine News Network 6/7/2006 Israeli forces took three Palestinians to unknown locations during their early morning raids, which are a daily occurrence not only in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, but also in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Three Palestinians from Hebron are now undergoing the three-day period of interrogation, described as torture by political prisoners via lawyers working for the Palestinian Prisoner Society. Israeli forces took two brothers from northwestern Hebron at dawn while the town of Beit Ula attempted to sleep. According to local village sources, a major Israeli military force raided the village at 3:00 am Wednesday and began breaking into and invasively searching homes. The incursion lasted for hours... Abbas to set date for referendum AlJazeera 6/8/2006 The Palestinian president will hold a referendum on July 31 on a statehood proposal that implicitly recognises Israel, officials say. The plan by Mahoud Abbas favours a two-state solution to end the conflict with Israel. "Mr Abbas is to sign the decree setting the date for the referendum on Saturday, which means it will be held 50 days later," on July 31, Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesperson for Abbas, said. A referendum would be seen as a confidence vote on the government run by the Islamic militant group Hamas, whose election led the West and Israel to sever funds to the Palestinian Authority. After initially calling the referendum earlier this week, Abbas gave Hamas a few more days to reconsider its position on a manifesto written by Palestinian prisoners in an Israeli jail. Court rejects Pollard''s petition for Israel to act for his release Ha''aretz 6/8/2006 The High Court of Justice on Thursday rejected a petition submitted by Jonathan Pollard who was convicted of spying on behalf of Israel, demanding that Jerusalem acts for his release from an American prison. A panel of three Justices accepted the state''s argument that there was no room for legal intervention in diplomatic affairs. Pollard was convicted twenty-one years ago of spying for Israel and was sentenced for life. All attempts bringing to his release have failed and he is currently being held at a North Carolina prison. In his petition Pollard said that Israel, led by then-prime minister Shimon Peres, turned its back on him and left him at the mercy of American authorities despite a U.S. pledge to release him once the confidential documents he obtained were returned. Abbas delays referendum over two-state proposal The Independent 6/7/2006 Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, has extended his deadline for calling a referendum by giving Hamas until the end of the week to sign up to a document aspiring to a two-state solution of the conflict with Israel. The last-minute postponement of the deadline came after what Mr Abbas''s office said had been "intense mediating efforts by some Arab and Islamic leaders" on Mr Abbas. A statement added: "President Abbas cannot appear as intransigent in the face of calls for mediation. "Mr Abbas''s deferral of the decree authorising a referendum - which Hamas has said it strongly opposes - was a short-term concession to his internal opponents. But he appeared to be still determined to go ahead with the referendum if Hamas failed to agree a two-state document drawn up by Fatah and Hamas prisoners in Israel''s Hadarim prison. Abbas extends ultimatum; Gaza fighting intensifies Ha''aretz 6/8/2006 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas yesterday extended his ultimatum to Hamas, giving it until the weekend to agree to the so-called Prisoners'' Document. Abbas had originally said that he would call a referendum on the document - a blueprint for a national unity government drafted by Palestinians jailed in Israel - if Hamas did not accept it by today. Such a referendum could be viewed as a vote of confidence in the two-month-old Hamas government. Representatives of Hamas and Abbas''s Fatah party left for Yemen yesterday to continue negotiations with the assistance of Yemeni President Abdullah Salah. The Hamas delegation was led by Khaled Meshal, who heads the organization''s overseas wing. King Abdullah: I oppose unilateral pullout YNet News 6/7/2006 Jordanian king says prisoners'' document is way for Palestinians to enter negotiations as Amman watches West Bank nervously -- Jordan''s King Abdullah is concerned over Israel''s plan for a unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, the leader told Yedioth Ahronoth in an exclusive interview. Ahead of his anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Abdullah said that any unilateral move on Israel''s part might deprive the Palestinians of their legitimate and internationally recognized right for an independent state. Such a unilateral step would foster insecurity and doubts not only in the Palestinian Authority, but among the rest of the peace partners in the region, he added. Fatah: Many of our members in Israeli jails did not get an allowance Ma''an News 6/7/2006 Tulkarem-Ma''an- Sameir Naifah, Fatah media spokesman in Tulkarem, has said that the prisoners'' allowances of NIS 800 was not paid to all members of Fatah who are in Israeli jails. Consequently the Fatah Movement has no knowledge of how and which prisoners were paid allowances. In a statement, Naifah confirmed that many prisoners, especially those who are members of Fatah, did not receive an allowance of this amount. He said that those who needed an explanation for this should speak with the Hamas government and the Ministry of Prisoners'' Affairs. [end] DFLP: The next few days are crucial for Palestinians Ma''an News 6/7/2006 Jenin-Ma''an-Abdul Kareim Qais also known as Abu Laila, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, and representative of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, (DFLP)in the National Dialogue Committee, called on all political parties to make maximum effort to ensure a successful outcome of the dialogue. He said that the Prisoners'' Document should be the basis of the discussion and this can be used to engage in dialogue and agree on joint mechanisms and a political programme. These days ahead were crucial because there were just a few days before President Abbas would declare a date for the referendum. Murderers of son and mother caught by IDF YNet News 6/7/2006 In 1996, Ita and Ephraim Tzur were murdered in an ambush by Ramallah; the PA sentenced the murderers to life in prison, but they were released, and arrested last night by security forces -- The Shin Bet and IDF arrested two wanted suspects in Ramallah, members of the Popular Front, responsible for the murder of Ita Tzur and her 12 year-old son Ephraim, in a shooting attack ten years ago. A second daughter was seriously injured in the attack and three other family members were lightly wounded. During a joint operation by security forces, 34 year-old Ibrahim Alikam and 35 year-old Ibrahim Hani were arrested in Ramallah. The two are the main suspects in carrying out the shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle on December 11, 1996. Gitmo Detainee Says Clash Involved Qurans The Guardian 6/8/2006 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A Guantanamo Bay detainee who participated in a clash with U.S. military guards last month said it was sparked when guards tried to search prisoners'' Qurans, contradicting the military''s account of the melee, his defense attorney said Wednesday. The detainee also denied the contention by military officials that prisoners in the May 18 clash in Guantanamo Bay lured guards into a cell by staging a suicide attempt, defense attorney Kristin Wilhelm told The Associated Press. The military, in its account soon after the clash occurred at the prison in southeast Cuba, said 10 prisoners used makeshift weapons to battle 10 guards. Flouting Syria''s martial law, bold students advocate democracy Christian Science Monitor 6/6/2006 ALEPPO, SYRIA – Two years ago, Syrian student Muhammad Arab was imprisoned for calling for reform of his country''s political system. Now released and back studying at the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Aleppo, he is determined to continue promoting democracy. "Prison wasn''t great, but living without freedom is worse," says Mr. Arab, a broad-shouldered young medical student. Arab is one of a handful of students agitating for reform and struggling to build a pro-democracy student movement in Syria, where martial law imposed in 1963 forbids unofficial political gatherings or groups. "The student movements are not very significant in terms of being able to change things now," says Joshua Landis, professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Oklahoma. Report: European nations aided CIA AlJazeera 6/7/2006 The report says the CIA held prisoners at Romanian airstrips -- Fourteen European countries - including Britain, Italy and Germany - colluded with the CIA in operating secret prisons and transferring suspects for interrogation. On Wednesday, a report by the Council of Europe identified a "spider''s web" of landing points around the world used by the US authorities for the practice of "extraordinary rendition", the secret transfer of security suspects to third countries or US-run detention centres. "The United States... actually created this reprehensible network. But we also believe to have established that it is only through the intentional or grossly negligent collusion of the European partners that this ''web'' was able to spread also over Europe," the report said. Abbas, Hamas fail to reach deal AlJazeera 6/6/2006 Abbas said talks with Hamas to reach a political deal had failed -- The Palestinian president will on Tuesday fix the date of a referendum following the failure of Palestinian factions to reach a political accord, his office has announced. Mahmoud Abbas told delegates from Palestinian factions on Monday that efforts aimed at getting the Hamas government to recognise Israel have failed, and he will call a referendum, a participant at last-minute talks said. The meeting ended munutes before a midnight deadline Abbas gave Hamas for accepting a document written by prominent Palestinian prisoners in an Israeli jail, accepting a Palestinian state and impliticly recognising Israel.... Hamas has been calling for more time to discuss the proposal and suggested changes in the language. Top Hamas leaders vow to boycott referendum Ha''aretz 6/6/2006 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is expected to announce a referendum on the so-called "Prisoners'' Document" today, but Hamas leaders told Haaretz that they would urge people to boycott the vote. Abbas gave Hamas an ultimatum 10 days ago, saying that if it did not accept the document - a blueprint for a national unity gover |