Vermonters
for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel
Prisoners Archive - August 2007
Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others
Prisoners Archive - August 2007
Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others
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for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel Prisoners Archive - August 2007 Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others |
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Palestinian Detainees call on all faction to resume internal talks International Middle East Media Center 8/29/2007 Palestinian detainees imprisoned by Israel in the Galboa’ Prison, voiced an appeal to all Palestinian factions to resume their internal talks in order to end the ongoing tension between Fateh and Hamas, and focus on the important issues of the struggle against the occupation. The detainees also demanded the factions to focus more attention on their case imprisoned behind Israeli occupation bars for resisting the occupation. They added that they are all united, regardless of their political affiliation or interests. Meanwhile, one of the lawyers of the Nafha Society for defending the rights of the detainees and human rights, stated that detainee Ali Atatra is suffering from serious health issue due to a heart condition, and is repeatedly losing conscious but not provided with any medical help. Palestinian Detainees in Al Jamala Israeli prison held a one-day hunger strike International Middle East Media Center 8/28/2007 Palestinian detainees confined to solitary in Al Jalama Israeli interrogation center conducted on Monday a one-day hunger strike in protest to the bad conditions and the repeated attack they face. The detainees managed to smuggle a letter from the facility appealing human rights groups and their families and hold protests against the ongoing violations practiced against them by the soldiers and the prison administration. The detainees stated in their letter that they decided to hold a hunger strike after the Prison Administration rejected their demands to receive their rights which are guaranteed by the international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. They said that this one-day hunger strike in the first step of their ongoing protests which will include further protests and hunger strikes in the coming days. PCHR Is Concerned Over the Detention and Torture of a Number of Fatah Supporters by the Executive Force Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 8/27/2007 PCHR is deeply concerned over the arrest campaign waged by the Executive Force in the past two days against a number of supporters of Fatah movement in Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip. PCHR calls for an investigation into the torture and beating of a number of detainees during their detention by the Executive Force and to take legal action against the perpetrators. . According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Saturday morning, 25 August 2007, the Executive Force arrested 15 residents of al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City to interrogate them about their participation in the prayer conducted in the Unknown Soldier Yard in Gaza City on the preceding day, and the demonstration that followed. Fatah movement had called for doing the Friday Prayer in the Unknown Solider Yard, in protest to what it described... Israeli court extends detention of alleged Islamic Jihad members Ma’an News Agency 8/27/2007 Jenin - Ma’an – An Israeli military court on Monday extended the detention of a number of Palestinian prisoners from the Jenin area, accusing them of being members of Islamic Jihad. Human Rights lawyer, Ahmad Shawahnah, said in a statement that the Israeli military court in Salim extended the detention of Ahmad Nazzal from Qabatia until the 19th of November for being a member of Islamic Jihad and possessing weapons. The court also extended the detention of Dergham Husni from Sailat Al-Harithyya until the 24th of October for being a member of the Al Quds Brigades, possessing weapons and planning a military operation against Israeli troops. [end] Woman arrested en route to visit brother in jail Ma’an News Agency 8/27/2007 Tulkarem - Ma’an – A Palestinian woman was arrested by Israeli forces on Monday as she was on her way to visit her brother in prison, near Tulkarem. Nadia Yousef Tabal, 38, from the Ain Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarem was arrested at Teiba Crossing, south of the city, en route to Hadarim jail. The woman’s brother told Ma’an that his sister "was accused by the Israeli soldiers at the crossing of having a visiting permit which was not her’s and she was attempting to enter Israel illegally." She was taken to the Qadomim interrogation centre. She will be released after the family pays a fine. [end] Fatah leader admitted to Israeli prison hospital Ma’an News Agency 8/27/2007 Gaza – Ma’an – Sources close to imprisoned Fatah leader, Nahid Shiekh Khalil, aged 40, revealed on Monday that he was transferred from Ashkelon jail to a hospital at Ramla prison. Sheikh Khalil, who had been injured, was taken to hospital after his health deteriorated while he was being interrogated in Israeli prison cells. Sheikh Khalil’s family said that the Israeli occupation is responsible for his life and demanded his immediate release, stating that he suffers from a serious injury. He sustained the injury during violent clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip. Sheikh Khalil survived a targeted assassination attempt by Israeli forces that bombarded his car on 14th January 2002, following that, he was detained for five years. IDF has held African refugees in soldiers’ hostel for three weeks Nurit Wurgaft, Ha’aretz 8/27/2007 The Israel Defense Forces has been holding some 20 refugees and migrant workers from Africa - including pregnant women and a 10-year-old boy who was separated from his parents while crossing into the country - at a soldiers’ hostel in Be’er Sheva for the last three weeks, even though the police and Israel Prisons Service are supposed to deal with infiltrators once they cross the border. This is apparently the longest the army has ever held a group of infiltrators. The IDF said it is holding the Africans because the refugee camp at Ketziot Prison has no more room. But nongovernmental organizations active in the field, such as the Hotline for Migrant Workers, claim that the IDF has no authority to hold the infiltrators, and is also not prepared to care for them. Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jail was beaten to death, Asrana confirms Ma’an News Agency 8/26/2007 Jerusalem – Ma’an – Asrana (our prisoners) media office in Jerusalem on Sunday blamed the Israeli authorities in Ramla prison for the death of Palestinian detainee ‘Umar Masalmah, aged 24. Masalmah, from Hebron, was allegedly in good health just two days before he died, on Saturday. Director of the Asrana media office, Munqith Abu Roumi, said the organisation can confirm that Masalmah died after being severely beaten by Israeli soldiers." We have established, through the other prisoners, that the man was attacked and beaten by the Israeli soldiers," said Abu Roumi." At Ramla jail he was attacked and severely beaten by the soldiers," said Aby Roumi. Omar Masalma, detainee number 191 who dies in Israeli prisons International Middle East Media Center 8/27/2007 The Nafha Society for Defending the Detainees’ Rights and Human Rights, slammed on Sunday the ongoing Israeli violations against the detainees and their internationally guaranteed rights, and stated that detainee Omar Masalma, who died recently of medical negligence in an Israeli prison, is detainee number 191 who dies in Israeli prisons. The Society stated that over the past seven months, four Palestinian detainees died in Israeli prisons, which is another proof of the Israeli violations and illegal practices against the detainees. The Society also said that Israel always disregarded several cases of medical negligence which led to the death of dozens of detainees, in addition to not investigating dozens of "sudden death" cases, especially in interrogation centers. -- See also: Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli jail of medical negligence Family of Palestinian prisoner in need of urgent medical treatment appeals for his release Ma’an News Agency 8/26/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – Family of Palestinian prisoner Jihad Ibrahim Al Awja, aged 36, from ’Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, appealed to human rights organisations to campaign for his release as his health is deteriorating. The family said that Jihad was abducted from his home and severely beaten before he was incarcerated in Huwwara detention centre. His health started to deteriorate after that and he was transported to an Israeli hospital before being detained in Ofer jail, near Ramallah. Al Awja’s mother said "we were unable to visit him and we didn’t know where he was being held, especially in the beginning." The prisoner’s relatives said he is suffering from severe pains in his head, lungs and joints, and needs urgent treatment. Jihad Al Ajwa is a father of four children. -- See also: Family of Palestinian sick detainee appeals for saving his life Israeli jails are miserable and unbearable says Nafha prisoners’ society Ma’an News Agency 8/26/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – The Nafha prisoners’ society on Sunday condemned what it described as the Israeli prisons’ authorities neglect of healthcare in Israeli jails and maltreatment of Palestinian prisoners. The society issued a statement decrying the terrible conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and stating that the prisons are miserable and unbearable. The society urged human rights organisations to intervene, and advised Palestinians to bridge gaps in order to confront the Israeli occupation in a united way. [end] IDF still holding Sudanese refugees in hostel after 3 weeks Nurit Wurgaft, Ha’aretz 8/26/2007 The Israel Defense Forces has been holding some 20 refugees and migrant workers from Africa - including pregnant women and a 10-year-old boy who was separated from his parents while crossing into the country - at a soldiers’ hostel in Be’er Sheva for the last three weeks, even though the police and Israel Prisons Service are supposed to deal with infiltrators once they cross the border. This is apparently the longest the army has ever held a group of infiltrators. The IDF said it is holding the Africans because the refugee camp at Ketziot Prison has no more room. But nongovernmental organizations active in the field, such as the Hotline for Migrant Workers, claim that the IDF has no authority to hold the infiltrators, and is also not prepared to care for them. Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli custody Ma’an News Agency 8/25/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Informed Palestinian sources revealed that a Palestinian detainee in the Israeli prison of Ramla, 22-year-old ‘Umar Masalmah, died on Saturday evening. Masalmah was from Hebron in the southern occupied Palestinian West Bank. Chair of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association, Quddura Faris, said that Masalmah was in good health two days ago. Faris implied wrongdoing in the treatment of Masalmah in the Israeli prison. Faris also stated that Masalmah’s family visited him last Thursday and said that he was healthy. [end] Israeli military courts extend detention of several Palestinian prisoners Ma’an News Agency 8/25/2007 Nablus - Ma’an - Israeli military courts have extended the periods of detention of many Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. Petakh Tikva court extended the detention of four prisoners for periods of between 8 and 15 days, to allow for further interrogation before another hearing is held to determine whether or not they may be released. According to the Nafha Prisoner’s Society, Al Jalameh and Salem courts extended the detention of six prisoners from Qalqilia. The society also said that Al Jalameh court extended the detention of the Nafha Society Qalqilia branch head, Zaki Daoud, and Mohammad Hassan, the Director General, for a further 8 days of interrogation. [end] A comprehensive report on Israeli detention camps and prisons Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/25/2007 “Israeli Prisons, graves for living Palestinian detainees” A comprehensive report prepared by Abdul-Nasser Farawna, an ex-detainee, a specialist in Palestinian Detainee’s Affairs and the head of the census department of the Ministry of Detainees and Freed Detainees,prepared a comprehensive report on Palestinian detainees imprisoned by Israel. The report revealed that Israel kidnapped 700. 000 Palestinians since it occupied the Palestinian territories in 1967. The report also stated that Israel is violating the rights of the detainees which are guaranteed by the International Law. Farwana said in his report that Israeli prisons are "graves for living Palestinian detainees" as Israel violates their rights, tortures, isolates and medically neglect the detainees in addition to its illegal practices which violate the international law. Israeli court imprisons Palestinian man for attempting to visit his incarcerated brother Ma’an News Agency 8/24/2007 Jerusalem – Ma’an – The Israeli military court at Ofer sentenced a Palestinian man to five months in prison and 10,000 shekels fine (~$2,400 US) on Friday for entering Israel without a permit. 24-year-old Alaa Ahmad Muhammad Ermeen was en route to the Israeli Negev Prison to visit his brother when he was seized by Israeli police. Ermeen had received permission to visit his brother in jail from the Red Cross. Israeli forces allege that he did not have a valid permit for entering in Israel. [end] Detention of head of Nafha organization extended, alongside other prisoners Ma’an News Agency 8/23/2007 Nablus – Ma’an - The Israeli Salem military court has extended the detention of the Nafha prisoners’ society Qalqilia branch manager, Zaki Dawoud, for a further eight days of interrogation. Dawoud is currently held in the Al Jalameh Interrogation Center. The general director of the organisation, Muhammad Bsharat, along with many other members of the Nafha organization, are imprisoned without charge or trial, held under "administrative detention", a facility which, according to international law, can only be used in extreme circumstances. The court also extended the detention period for Hamza ’Inabi and Munther Al Hutari, for a further 15 days each. Dirty hypodermic needle infects Palestinian prisoner with disease Ali Samoudi, International Middle East Media Center 8/23/2007 The wife of Othman Suleiman, a Palestinian prisoner serving a lifetime sentence in Israeli detention camps, spoke with grave sorrow over the health condition of her husband. The suffering, Mrs Suleiman says, started several months ago, when her husband, 33, became very sick, and was transported to a military hospital located near the detention camp he was held in. The Israeli doctors in the military hospital diagnosed Suleiman with an advanced case of the Hepatitis C liver disease. According to Mrs Suleiman, several months ago, her husband was suffering from dental problems. After weeks and weeks of pain, doctors took him to the detention camp clinic, where he was injected using a used hypodermic needle, Israeli military sources confessed. A Detainees Society calls for urgent medical attention to an ailing detainee International Middle East Media Center 8/22/2007 The Waed Society Detainees and Freed Detainees issued an appeal for all medical and human rights institutions, headed by the Red Cross and Doctor Without Borders to intervene for the release of an ailing detainee imprisoned by Israel. The detainee was identified as Ribhi Suleiman Bsharat who is suffering from ulcer and internal bleeding while the Israeli prison authority is barring him from receiving the basic medical attention. Bsharat, 30, from Tammoun village near the West Bank city of Tubas, is currently imprisoned in Be’er Shiva prison and need urgent hospitalization. The Waed Society stated that the Israeli Authorities are still baring all sick detainees from receiving the needed medical attention and held Israel responsible for any further deterioration in their conditions. Prisoners in Howara detention centre appeal to ICRC for medicines Ma’an News Agency 8/22/2007 Nablus – Ma’an - Prisoners held in the Howara detention centre, south of Nablus, appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday to visit the centre and address the human rights abuses they are enduring. They called on the ICRC to put pressure on the detention centre’s administration to allow medicines and clothes to be brought to the prisoners. They said that the administration currently do not allow the lawyers for the detainees to bring clothes to them. [end] Palestinian detainees in Hawara asks Red Cross to inspect their conditions Palestinian Information Center 8/22/2007 NABLUS, (PIC)-- Palestinian detainees in the Israeli Hawara military detention center near Nablus city have appealed to the Red Cross to visit them and inspect their harsh incarceration conditions. The detainees said that the Hawara authority refuses to allow access of medicine and clothes to them even through their lawyers. Mohammed Basharat, the director of the Nafha society for prisoners and human rights and who is one of those detainees, expressed utter dismay at the Hawara authority’s violations of detainees’ rights. He appealed to the human rights institutions to have a first hand look into the conditions of those detainees and to demand the dismantling of this detention center due to the absence of humanitarian detention conditions. The Nafha society said that complaints against the Hawara center had increased recently... Female detainee release from Israeli prison after three years in detention Amin Abuwarda, International Middle East Media Center 8/22/2007 The media department at the Nafha Society for Defending the Detainees Rights and Human Rights, reported on Wednesday that the Israeli authorities released detainee Rasha Khalid Al Azza, from Dehesiha refugee camp in Bethlehem after three years in detention. He family and several residents of the camp, in addition to representative of detainees and social societies travelled to Jabara military roadblock, south of Tulkarem, in the northern part of the West Bank, to welcome her and transport her back home. Al Azza was born in December 28, 1986; she was taken prisoner after the army broke into her home in summer 2004, and remained in detention for 37 months after the Israeli security claimed that she aided resistance fighters, and charged her of membership of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fateh. PPS lawyer visits Salim jail Ma’an News Agency 8/22/2007 Ramallah - Ma’an – A lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society has visited prisoners the Israeli Salim jail in the northern West Bank. He said he talked to prisoners including two men who were arrested at an Israeli checkpoint, even though they thought they were no longer on Israel’s "wanted" list. Iyad Bisharat from Tamoun, in Jenin and Ahmad Husni from Maraqa, also in Jenin told the lawyer that they were among the 180 "wanted" Palestinians who were "pardoned" by the Israelis in July this year. They both said they were surprised when Israeli forces arrested them as they tried to go through one of the checkpoints three days ago. They informed the lawyer that they had not yet been interrogated. The lawyer added that there are 31 Palestinian prisoners in Salim Jail. Israeli military court orders imprisonment of mentally ill Palestinian Ma’an News Agency 8/22/2007 Hebron – Ma’an – The Israeli military court at ’Ofer on Wednesday sentenced a Palestinian suffering from mentally illness to 101 days in prison. Muhammad Ja’bari, 38, from Hebron in the southern West Bank will accompany Nasim Al-Ja’bari, 33, and Muhammad Ja’bari, 37, all of which received their sentenced together. The three Palestinians were arrested on the 5th August 2007 on charges of participating in attempts to prevent Israeli settlers from Kiryat Arba’, near Hebron, from taking control of a Palestinian home belonging to the Rajabi family. The fourth brother of the family, Bassam, stated that he held the Israeli authorities responsible for his brother’s life. He also appealed to all humanitarian organizations to intervene to save his mentally ill brother. Palestinian detainees in Petah Tikva Israeli prison on Hunger Strike International Middle East Media Center 8/21/2007 Palestinian detainees imprisoned in the Petah Tikva Israeli detention facility started on Tuesday an open-ended hunger strike in protest to bad living conditions and abusive treatment by the soldiers. In a letter which was leaked from the prison, the detainees stated that one of the reasons of the strike is the continued detention of some of them in Petah Tikva, which is an interrogation facility, instead of transferring them to central prisons. The detainees also stated in their letter that the food provided to them is of a bad quality and that the soldiers manning the detention facility carried repeated attacks against them. Meanwhile, the Nafha Society for Defending the Rights of the Detainees and Human Rights issued a press release calling on all human rights groups to act in order to save the lives of... Two Palestinian prisoners launch appeal to save lives Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 8/21/2007 Amjad Abbadi and Mohammad Samara, two Palestinian prisoners from the northern West Bank city of Jenin, launched an appeal on Wednesday to International Human Rights organization to intervene with the Israeli authorities to help save their lives. Thaer Abu Baker, member in the Directorate of Palestinian Prisoners Affairs in Jenin, reported that Abbadi is suffering from a serious bladder infection in the Jalbou’a detention center that threatens his life and causes him dreadful pain. He has a bladder infection, leaving him under a dreadful pain. He appealed for several related sides to help saving his life but with no response. The other imprisoned Palestinian, Samara, has spent three years in Israeli detention and is currently held in isolation in the Damoon detention center. Ex-prisoner Lu’ay Al Ashkar leaves Israeli detention in a wheelchair Maisa Abu Ghazala, International Middle East Media Center 8/20/2007 The lawyer for the ex-prisoner Lu’ay Al Ashakr has brought criminal charges against Israeli officials in the hope of gaining compensation for his client. Al Ashkar entered detention with full use of his legs, but after repeated torture was released paralyzed from the waist down. Bishara Jabali, Al Ashkar’s lawyer, has initiated a lawsuit against the state of Israeli, the previous head of Shabak (Avy Dekhter), the current head of Shabak (Youval Desken) and the investigators of Shabak, asking for the compensation of his client. Al Ashkar, who was held for two years, was kidnapped from his home in April 2005 on suspicion of involvement in an explosion in Israel. After undergoing medical tests in prison which proved his good health, Al Ashkar sustained a broken back after being tortured for three consecutive days. Cigarette ends found in prison food Ameen Abu Wardeh, International Middle East Media Center 8/20/2007 The Nafah committee for Palestinian Prisoners’ rights issued a report on Monday stating that Israeli soldiers manning the Howwara detention camp, located near Nablus city in the northern part of the West Bank, are dumping Cigarette ends in the food given to the Palestinian political detainees. According to reports the committee received from the detainees, the Israeli soldiers have previously dumped dirt, sand and human waster in the provided food. According to the committee, the food is usually unfit for human consumption, but that prisoners have no choice but to eat it as food brought by the families of detainees is not enough. On Monday, the Palestinian detainees in Howwara detention camp refused to take the daily meal in protest against its sub-standard quality. IOF troops kidnap branch manger of Nafha society in Qalqilya Palestinian Information Center 8/20/2007 QALQILYA, (PIC)- A large number of the IOF troops stormed at dawn Monday the house of Zaki Dawoud, the branch manger of Nafha society for the defense of prisoners and human rights in the Qalqilya city, northern West Bank and took him to an unknown destination. In an official statement issued on Monday, the society condemned the recent arrest campaigns executed against hundreds of Palestinians which exceeded the number of those released by the IOA as a "goodwill gesture" to the PA President in Ramallah, where the IOF troops kidnapped more than 350 Palestinians within two weeks. The society also stated that the kidnapping of Dawoud comes in the framework of punishing anyone who seeks to expose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian prisoners inside the Israeli jails. Legal statistics: IOF soldiers kidnapped 350 Palestinians in three weeks Palestinian Information Center 8/19/2007 NABLUS, (PIC)-- IOF troops kidnapped more than 350 Palestinians over the past three weeks from various West Bank districts along with a number of others from the Gaza Strip during recent incursions, according to human rights societies. The report said that the IOF arrests focused on Nablus and Qalqilia but covered all West Bank districts. It noted that the kidnapped were affiliated with all resistance factions, but mostly from Hamas. Israeli prisons, especially the detention centers of Jalama, Hawara and Petah Tikva, are overcrowded as a result of the increasing number of detainees. [end] African Refugees / Expulsion to Egypt may contravene int’l law Ruth Sinai, Ha’aretz 8/19/2007 Egypt did not meet its obligations, and the UN concluded that Sweden had violated international conventions against torture since it was aware of Egypt’s troublesome record on such matters. Israel’s expulsion of 50 nationals of African countries to Egypt on Saturday may also be viewed as a violation of that same convention, in light of testimonies received in the past about the conditions of incarceration and the torture suffered by African asylum-seekers who were expelled to Egypt from Israel. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz argues that Israel did not "expel" the refugees, but rather Israel "prevented their entry" into the country and is therefore not violating international accords. On the basis of this argument, a practice had been instituted called "immediate return," which permits deporting anyone caught crossing the border into Israel back to Egypt. Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention center threaten hunger strike Palestinian Information Center 8/19/2007 NABLUS, (PIC)-- Palestinian detainees in the Israeli Petah Tikwa detention center have threatened to go on a hunger strike if they remained in investigation cells. Mohammed Feidi, one of those detainees, said that physical and psychological pressures in the center were in violation of all rules. The complaints were voiced during a visit by a lawyer of the Nafha society for defending prisoners and human rights. The same lawyer visited the Hawara detention center and reported similar incarceration conditions where 50 detainees are crammed into the detention rooms that are small in size and are offered poor quality and quantity of food. [end] Palestinian detainee’s parents appeal for medical care for their ill son Ma’an News Agency 8/19/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Palestinian parents from Aida refugee camp in the Bethlehem area on Sunday appealed to human rights organisations to preserve the life of their son who is detained in Israeli jails. The family of detainee, 27-year-old Khalil Musallam, said he is suffering from several diseases, including ulcers, nasal problems, back pain and slipped discs. The family added that he is in urgent need of ulcer surgery. Musallam, who was abducted by Israeli forces five years ago, has been suffering from these ailments for a long time, said his family. Head of Public Relations in the Palestinian Prisoners Society of Bethlehem, Ahmad Huseiniya, said that Musallam was sentenced to eighteen life sentences and is held in Nafha prison. Huseiniya appealed to human rights organisations to exert pressure on Israel... Al Mezan Center demands a probe into the death of a Gaza resident International Middle East Media Center 8/19/2007 The Al Mezan Center of Human Rights issued a press release on Sunday demanding a probe into the death of a Palestinian resident who went missing last week, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and his body was found on Sunday morning bearing torture marks and a gunshot injury. Initial investigations by the Center revealed that the family of Nimir Abul-Karim Abu Mhadi, 44, received a phone call on Sunday at dawn, and the caller informed them that their son is near the evacuated settlement of Nitzarim, in the southern of the Gaza Strip. When his family went to the location they found their son bleeding and took him to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City where he died of his wounds. The investigation also revealed that an unknown caller phoned Abu Mhadi on his mobile at 2 a. The refugee road Nurit Wurgaft, Ha’aretz 8/19/2007 Returning from a visit at Ketziot prison, now a temporary home for many stranded African refugees, before reaching the main highway between Nitzana and Be’er Sheva, we saw six Africans walking by the roadside. Some wore wool hats, others had swathed their heads in shirts to protect them from the blistering midday sun. They looked like they had been walking for a long time, with their backpacks and bottles of water in hand. They were refugees from Ethiopia and Darfur, and this was their first day in Israel. Actually, they had reached the Israeli side of the border a week before. "It took four days before we reached an army base," one of the Ethiopian refugees said. "The soldiers brought us onto the base and we stayed there for three days. Last night [Sunday, N. Megiddo jail continues repressive measures against inmates Ma’an News Agency 8/18/2007 Nablus – Salfit – Ma’an – The administration of Meggido jail has raised the level of repression over the prisoners and their visitors, according to prisoners held there. The prisoners said that the general situation inside the jail is not good; the cells are overcrowded, there is not sufficient medical treatment for sick prisoners and malnutrition is rife, due to the severance of the medical canteens for the fourth month in succession. In addition, the security service is forbidding family visits, and not allowing prisoners to move between the cells. Inmates called for "real action against these practices to end the suffering of the prisoners". [end] IOA refuses to allow Palestinian prisoner to visit his dying father Palestinian Information Center 8/18/2007 NAZARETH, (PIC)-- MP Abbas Zakour, the Arab member in the Israeli parliament, has asked Israeli interior security minister Avi Dichter to allow Palestinian prisoner Ali Amaria to visit his dying father. The MP asked the minister and the director of the Israeli prisons authority to allow Amaria a sole one-hour visit to his father who is currently in Rambam hospital in Haifa suffering from an advanced cancer stage. He said that Amaria was willing to accept any conditions to visit his father, noting that the father was in a critical condition. Amaria, who is held in Jalbo prison west of Bisan city, was sentenced to 41 years behind bars for tossing a bomb that wounded 22 Israelis. He has spent 19 years so far in jail without allowing him to get out on such visits not even for once. He complained to the MP when he visited him last march, saying that he did not kill anyone. Prisoners affairs institute says Hamas and Fatah prisoners are separated in Israeli jails Ma’an News Agency 8/17/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – A lawyer from a prisoners’ affairs institute said the Israeli prison administrations are tightening restrictions on both Palestinians in Israeli jails and their relatives who try and visit them. Buthaina Duqmaq from the Mandella Institute said the institution’s lawyers made several visits to various prisons, where they found that prisoners affiliated to Hamas and Fatah were separated from each other. Extended family members were also barred from visiting their relatives in prison. Prisoners are demanding that the separation policy of Hamas and Fatah prisoners be stopped and that those prisoners in solitary confinement should be returned to regular cells. They are also requesting that their children under the age of 10 should be allowed to visit them in prison. Megiddo Prison Authority escalates its repressive measures Palestinian Information Center 8/17/2007 SALFIT, (PIC)-- The Megiddo Prison Authority has escalated its repressive measures against the Palestinian captives in that prison and their visitors, according to the captives. The prisoners said in a letter they smuggled out of prison that the general conditions for captives are bad, the prison is overcrowded, there is lack of medicine for the sick prisoners, there is lack of nutritious food as the captives have not received their food allowance, from the PA, for four months, banning of visits and banning prisoners to visit prisoners in other wings. The captives also complained of the constant moving of prisoners between different prison wards and different prisons causing the captives extra psychological stress. The captives stressed in their letter the need for pressure to be exerted on the occupation authority... Israeli court refuses to release head of a detainees’ society International Middle East Media Center 8/18/2007 The Ofer Israeli military court refused on Friday an appeal to release Mohammad Bisharat, head of the Nafha Society for Defending the Detainees Rights and Human Rights. Bisharat was kidnapped by the army twenty days ago and is currently imprisoned in Huwwara detention facility. So far, the Israeli authorities did not file any charges against him. Bisharat is known for his activities in defending human rights and the rights of detainees imprisoned by Israel, he was kidnapped first after the Al Aqsa Intifada inflamed late 2000. The Nafha society slammed the continued detention of Bisharat and called on human rights groups to practice pressure on Israel to lease him and to stop its ongoing attacks against human rights institutions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Mandela lawyer: "Israel continues its violations against the detainees" IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 8/17/2007 Bothaina Doqmaq, lawyer of the Mandela Institute for political detainees in Israeli prisons, stated that the Israeli Prison Administration (IPS) continued its violations and illegal attacks against the Palestinian political detainees and their parents. Doqmaq visited a number of detainees in Eshil, Galboa’ and Be’er Shiva Israeli prisons, and the detainees informed her that the administration carried repeated attacks against them in addition to transferring several detainees to other detention facilities. They added that the IPS barred for one month all visitations to detainees imprisoned in Ehsil prison. The detainees demanded the IPS to allow them to receive more satellite channels, including the Palestinian TV, and demanded it to widen the yard where they go to when they are allowed out of their rooms. Fatah spokesman Jamal Tirawi, indicted on 17 charges Ma’an News Agency 8/16/2007 Nablus – Ma’an - The Israeli public prosecutor on Thursday issued 17 indictments of against Deputy spokesman for the Fatah parliamentary bloc in the West Bank, Jamal Tirawi, including causing death, and possessing weapons and explosives. Tirawi was arrested at his home in the Balata refugee camp 85 days ago and is now being held at Al Halma prison. Tirawi’s lawyer, Ahmad Al Sharif, during a press conference held by the Office of the Attorney in Nablus, asked for the formation of an international committee to defend the detainee’s deputies, accusing the Palestinian Authority of negligence in the case of the defence of the deputies. He also claimed that the Israeli police deal with the deputies inside prisons as if they were criminals, pointing out that the prisoners and deputies are subjected to deliberate medical negligence. Gaza residents tell of demeaning questioning by Shin Bet Amira Hass, Ha’aretz 8/15/2007 In the most recent Israel Defense Forces raids in the Gaza Strip, during which dozens of people were detained for interrogation by the Shin Bet, the security service adopted a procedure unknown in recent years: The detainees were forced to undress in the presence of another detainee and a soldier or a member of the Shin Bet and then be interrogated while wearing a disposable, blue paper overall. This emerged in cumulative testimony from the Strip. In the West Bank, apparently, the color of the overall is white. According to a clarification by Haaretz with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, this procedure has been implemented in the last three months with detainees from Beit Lahia, the Al Fuhari neighborhood in Khan Yunis and twice with detainees from the agricultural town of Shuka east of Rafah, on June 9 and on August 3. Prisoners in Mageddo detention center demand a committee of lawyers to observe their condition Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 8/15/2007 The prisoners in Mageddo detention center requested a committee of lawyers formed by the Prisoner Society in order to study abduction conditions affecting many imprisoned Palestinians. The requisition came through a statement from Mageddo detention center directed to the Directorate of Prisoners’ Affairs. Tha’er Abu Baker, from the Directorate of the prisoners’ Affairs, said that prisoners are asking all International and Human Rights Organizations to provide support to them. They also seek an end to violent actions implemented by the Israeli prisons’ administration. The imprisoned Palestinians in Mageddo detention center said that 300 Palestinians are under administrative detention at that facility. The army has renewed the administrative detention of most of them for more than one time. Israeli prison authorities segregate West Bank and Gaza detainees with new uniform Ma’an News Agency 8/15/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – An Israeli journalist, Amira Hass, revealed on Wednesday in Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, that the Israeli forces have adopted a new policy in their dealings with Palestinian detainees. Hass said that the incarcerated Palestinians are forced to undress and put on a blue nylon uniform. The new policy was recently practiced on several detainees from Gaza, who were gathered in a military base and forced to wear the new uniform. Hass added that the West Bank prisoners will be forced to wear a white nylon uniform. When questioned regarding the new policy, the Israeli interior intelligence agency, Shin Bet, responded, "Each apprehension is dealt with after studying the circumstances and the dangers which could result. Israeli Aishel prison bans family visits to Palestinian detainees Palestinian Information Center 8/15/2007 RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli Aishel jail have denounced the prison administration’s claims to the Red Cross that they refused visits from their families. One of the prisoners told a visiting lawyer of a legal center called ’Resalat Al-Hukuk’ that he along with a number of other internees were deprived of family visits because he tried to solve a dispute with a "Zionist" prisoner in his capacity as the representative of the prisoners. The prisoner, Zayed Salman, said that the detainees in a solidarity protest measure refused to receive their visitors, prompting the prison authority to tell the Red Cross that the prisoners were refusing visits from their families. In a related development, the Nafha society for prisoners and human rights condemned the Israeli jailors’ continued assaults on Palestinian prisoners... Judge orders 20 African infiltrators released from jail Shahar Ilan and Or Kashti, Ha’aretz 8/15/2007 The release of some 20 jailed infiltrators from Eritrea and the Ivory Coast has been ordered by Elad Azar, head of the Custody Tribunal, over the last two days. The ruling pulls the rug out from under the state’s plan to keep the infiltrators in camps. Azar was sharply critical of the authorities for keeping the infiltrators in Ketziot Prison beyond the 14-day limit without judicial oversight, saying it impaired "the basic principle of respect for human rights and constituted a failure by the state authorities." In earlier rulings, he said that he would also order the release of Sudanese families. The state has held all infiltrators in detention for weeks under the Law to Prevent Infiltration, a harsh piece of emergency legislation that requires no judicial oversight of detentions. Prisoners’ rights organization condemns continuing prisoner abuse in Israeli jails Ma’an News Agency 8/14/2007 Nablus - Ma’an – The Nafha organization for prisoners’ rights on Tuesday condemned the ongoing abuse of the rights of prisoners in two Israeli prisons. They named the Israeli Nafha prison and Ramon prisons, located south of Beersheva, as places where prisoners had been abused. Nafha are an organization that work for the rights of prisoners held in Israeli jails. [end] Four Palestinians killed by IOF; Al Mezan calls for protection of civilians in Gaza Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, ReliefWeb 8/14/2007 Today, 14 August 2007, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) escalated its attacks on the Gaza Strip. Four Palestinians have been killed by IOF, thus raising the toll of deaths since the start of July 2007 to 32 (one in an Israeli prison). Additionally, 67 have been injured from IOF fire in Gaza. According to information available to Al Mezan, at approximately 12. 30am today Israeli Special Forces entered about a kilometer into Abassan Al Jadida town, east of Khan Younis. Soldiers broke into houses and stationed inside and on the roofs of some of them. At approximately 1. 30am, an IOF helicopter gunship lunched a missile at a crowd in the town killing 24-year-old Muhammad Yousif Abu Msameh, and injuring many others. An Israeli armored force stormed into the town and reached Al Farahin neighborhood, about two kilometers deep, where they opened fire intensively. Released female detainee develops tumour after three years of torture Ma’an News Agency 8/14/2007 Tulkarem – Ma’an – Released Palestinian female prisoner, Faten Daraghmeh, from Tulkarem in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, on Tuesday went into the operation room at Al Araby Hospital in Nablus, for the removal of a tumour from her neck. Local sources have speculated that the tumour was caused by the daily torture which Daraghmeh suffered at the hands of the Israeli prison personnel. Siima Anbas, another released prisoner, told Ma’an that Daraghmeh was brutally beaten by the Israeli soldiers from the day she was arrested until she was released." Daraghmeh, who was one of 256 prisoners recently released in an agreement between the PA and Israel, served three years of her five-year sentence and is suffering from terrible health. The type of tumour she has in her neck is unknown," said Anbas. Family demands the release of her underage detained son International Middle East Media Center 8/14/2007 The family of detainee Mohammad Al Jada’, from Borqeen near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, demanded the release of their 17-year old son imprisoned by Israel since several months after the Israeli army broke into their home and abducted him. The family stated that two other brothers of Mohammad are also detained by Israel for membership in the Islamic Jihad movement. Lawyer Ahmad Shawahna, who is active in the issue of the detainees’ rights, stated that Ashraf, the brother of Mohammad, was kidnapped by the army four years ago, and that he was only 18 years old. The army claims that Ashraf planned to carry a suicide bombing in Israel. He was sentenced to eight years and was severely tortured which caused a fracture in his jaw, and that he currently needs medical intervention but deprived from his medication rights. Prisons Service nixes entry to Sudan refugees at Ketziot jail Ha’aretz 8/13/2007 The Israel Prison Service (IPS) on Monday refused to admit a group of 30 Sudanese refugees who infiltrated Israel from Egypt into Ketziot Prison in the south. In light of this development, the Israel Defense Forces is planning to move them to a lodging complex for soldiers in Be’er Sheva, where a group of 70 Sudanese refuges who arrived in Israel over the weekend is currently housed. The IPS has yet to comment on the details of the event, but an IPS spokesperson told Haaretz on Saturday that there was no room for any more men at the facility. [end] Israeli jails transformed into schools by prisoners, says Hamdoneh Ma’an News Agency 8/12/2007 Gaza – Ma’an – President of the prisoners centre for research, Ra’fat Hamdoneh, said on Sunday that the "decision-making and unity notion" between prisoners in Israeli jails is a "wonderful phenomenon, deserving of respect and appreciation". Hamdoneh issued a statement in which he describes how the "dark and hopeless situation in Israeli jails has been transformed into schools and universities by prisoners". Hamdoneh said "the illiterate prisoner soon learns how to read and write, he becomes an educated person who loves to read and eventually studies languages and the Qu’ran. He will read science and research, and specialise in the fields he enjoys." Hamdoneh expressed pride in the ability of prisoners to forge unity between the different factional affiliates inside the prisons. Israel collaborator appears after Hamas claims Fatah killed him Ha’aretz 8/12/2007 Palestinian legislator Khaleda Jarrar said she had been misled about Bani Odeh by Tawfiq Tirawi, head of the PA General Intelligence Service. -- Palestine TV on Saturday broadcast footage of the interrogation of Muayad Bani Odeh, a prisoner held for collaborating with Israel, who Hamas claimed was tortured to death by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ security forces. Bani Odeh, 25, told interrogators he had been a member of Hamas since 2002 but had collaborated with Israeli security forces. Odeh said that in 2003 he gave Israel information that led to the killing of five fugitives, including three from Hamas, in his home village of Tamoun in the West Bank. The video was marked with Friday’s date, the same day deposed PA prime minister Ismail Haniyeh announced Bani Odeh was tortured to death in a West Bank prison. Statement from the Bani Odeh family Palestinian Information Center 8/11/2007 "We and the entire village were subjected to a nerve-twisting game by the security agencies." - Translated by Khalid Amayreh - “The Palestinian (Authority) security agencies arrested our son Mo’ayad nearly 20 days ago at our home in the village of Tammoun. The arrest occurred specifically on 22 July, 2007. When we visited him at the Jenin Prison, where he was transferred, he told us that he was subjected to severe and harsh torture. Other inmates, who were later released, gave us the same account. Mo’yad was coerced (via torture) to give false confessions which he vehemently denied later when he was brought before the court and confronted with other inmates who had given incriminating confessions against him. Mo’yad was transferred to the (notorious) Juneid prison on Thursday, 2 August, 2007...." Palestinian women in Israeli jails risk rape, says director of research institute Ma’an News Agency 8/11/2007 Gaza – Ma’an – Director of the Prisoners Center for Studies and Research, Rifat Hamdona, said on Saturday that female Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are at risk of rape. Hamdona said that the Israeli prisons’ officers are threatening to rape women during interrogation in order to force them to confess to crimes. However, Hamdona said that there have been no documented cases of rape in the prisons and expressed doubt that such cases exist. He said that the threat of rape is only used in order to exert pressure on female detainees to obtain a confession." Many Palestinians in Israeli jails have died to preserve their dignity and are regularly on hunger strikes, but I have not heard of any case of rape," said Hamdona. [end] Palestinian security forces detain a Cameraman and release him after several hours Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2007 Palestinian security forces arrested a Palestinian Camera man from his home in Beit Hannon town in the northern part of the Gaza strip on Saturday morning; the man is working for Ramatan News Agency, a local Palestinian agency working in the Gaza strip and the West Bank. The executive force of Hamas, who did the arrest, was involved in stopping a Fatah supporters rally organized in Beit Hannon lat Friday night, the Camera man Ra’ed Kafarnah, told IMEMC that he was covering the incident, later his footage was aired in several international and local TV stations. Kafarnah added that on Saturday morning members of the executive force came to his home and took him to a nearby interrogation center, after several hours he was released. Kafarnah stated clearly that during the questioning he was not assaulted or tortured. IOA extends detention of chairmen of legal society, chairperson of Huda society Palestinian Information Center 8/11/2007 NABLUS, (PIC)-- The Israeli military court has extended the detention of Mohammed Basharat, the chairman of the Nafha legal society catering for prisoners and human rights for 11 days without leveling any charge against him. Basharat was kidnapped more ten days ago at the hands of IOF troops and is currently held in the Hawara army detention center south of Nablus without trial. The court also extended the detention of Nada Al-Jaysui for 11 days for further interrogation. Jayusi, the chairperson of Huda charitable society for women has been held for more than 35 days without any indictment list being leveled against her. Abu Obaida, the husband of Jayusi, said that the Huda society was licensed by the PA interior ministry, and appealed to PA chief Mahmoud Abbas to step in and save her life in view of the tragic incarceration conditions she is suffering in Maskobeh detention center... Sudanese refugees wait to find out who can stay, who can go Ha’aretz 8/11/2007 More than a month has passed since Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced that the interior and defense ministries would collect the names of African refugees in Israel to determine who may stay and who must return to Egypt. Meanwhile, the temporary solutions found for the asylum seekers are beginning to crumble. The refugees will evidently be divided into three groups. Refugees from Darfur will be absorbed by Israel, migrant workers will be sent back to Egypt, and non-Darfur Sudanese and people from other African countries also will be deported to Egypt. For the time being, however, no long-term plan exists for the 1,200 Sudanese refugees dispersed throughout the country, cared for by charitable organizations and housed in kibbutzim, private homes or Ketziot Prison. African refugees refused lodging in Ktsiot prison Anat Bereshovsky, YNetNews Despite Internal Security Ministry decision to allow dozens of African refugees to lodge in southern prison, 70 Africans were refused entrance due to lack of room; sent to Beit Hachayal in Beersheba - Seventy African refugees who crossed into Israel from Egypt will be taken to Beit Hachayal hostel in Beersheba after being refused entrance to Kstiot prison despite being promised lodging there according to a Internal Security Ministry decision. The Israel Prison Service argued that there was no more room to hold the refugees in Ktsiot. The Internal Security Ministry recently decided to set up a camping site for the refugees after weeks of transferring them from place to place, without the state consolidating an official plan on how to deal with the problem. [end] Hamas member dies after being tortured in jail run by Palestinian Authority Ma’an News Agency 8/10/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – Hamas have said that Palestinian security sources in the West Bank have confirmed the death of a Hamas member they claim was tortured in a Palestinian security prison. Twenty-two-year-old Mou’aiad Bani Odeh in an Israeli hospital, from Tamon in the north of the West Bank Tobas, died in an Israeli hospital after he was transferred fromAl Junied Jail in Nablus. The Palestinian media centre said that according to Palestinian sources, "Bani Odeh died after he was severely tortured in Al Junied Jail, which is run by the Palestinian Authority. Bani Odeh’s family are blaming the Palestinian security services for their son’s death. In a news conference Hamas said that this is an example of the torture their members are facing in Palestinian Authority jails. Hamas prisoner at a P.A prison is clinically dead International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2007 Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, stated that one of its members who was imprisoned and tortured at a Palestinian prison was pronounced clinically dead on Thursday after he was transferred to an Israeli hospital. Hamas added that Moayyad Bani Odah, 22, was severely tortured in Jneid prison in the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Legislative Council, dominated by Hamas, stated that Bani Odah was arrested by security forces, loyal to Fateh, in July 2 2007, and was severely tortured in prison. The Council added that this assault is a violation to human rights and violates article number 3 -- 2001 of the Palestinian law. The Council also stated that political arrests violate decision of the previous legislative council which forbids political arrests. Hamas activists declared dead after being tortured at PA jails Palestinian Information Center 8/10/2007 NABLUS, TUBAS, (PIC)-- Mo’ayyad Bani Oadah, a 22-year-old Hamas activist was declared clinically dead at an Israeli hospital according to PA security sources. Bani Oadah was moved to an Israeli hospital from the PA Junaid jail in Nablus where he was subjected to torture at the said prison according to Palestinian sources. The family of Bani Oadah held the Abbas’s security forces responsible for the death of their son who was arrested by those forces on the 2nd July from his house in Tamoun village. The victim’s family say that their son used to work in tiling and that he was in very good health before his arrest. The family said in a statement that they were told by the PA security that their son will be brought before a court in Nablus and that a defence lawyer was appointed to represent him. Detainees in an Israeli prison on hunger strike for the tenth day IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 8/10/2007 Palestinian detainees in Eshil Israeli detention facility continued their hunger strike for the tenth day after one detainee died of medical neglectat the Nafha central prison in the Negev desert. Detainee Shadi Al Su’edi, 27, from Al Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza strip died of medical neglect in an Israeli prison on Tuesday July 31, 2007. The media department at the Nafha Society, which is a society defending the rights of detainees and human rights, stated that the detainees in Eshil will continue their strike until the Israeli prison administration stops its violations and stops it illegal practices against the detainees. Meanwhile, the family of detainee Murad Rajoub, who is sentenced to 38 years and imprisoned in Eshil, stated that the administration barred all visitation to the parents of the detainees as a punishment for the detainee’s strike. Imprisoned Palestinian in Palestinian’s detention transfers to Israeli hospital Ameen Abu Warda, International Middle East Media Center 8/9/2007 Sources of Hamas movement reported that Palestinian Security forces in the West Bank have transferred one Hamas prisoner to an Israeli hospital inside the Green Line. This transfer was done because the prisoner’s health has deteriorated due to torture he received. The same sources stated that Hamas activist Mo’ayad Bani Odeh, 22, now faces dangerous health problems, and that his health was fine before he was jailed. Hamas sources indicated that the youth Bani Odeh was abducted 10 days ago, imprisoned in one of the Jenin city detention centers, and was released 3 days ago. The same Hamas sources said that the Palestinian force called Bani Odeh again in his house located near Tubas village. They wanted him to return to Al Junied detention center in Nablus city to deal with an urgent issue. Judge Orders Baby Sent to Palestine No Light in August for Texas Refugees Greg Moses, MIFTAH 8/9/2007 An infant girl who was nearly born into a Texas immigration prison has been ordered deported to the same occupied Palestinian territories where her older sister suffered gas poisoning during an Israeli assault on the family home in 2000. The deportation order will be appealed, says family attorney John Wheat Gibson. The baby girl was born to Hanan Ibrahim since the pregnant woman was released from the T. Don Hutto immigration prison in early February. Hanan, her husband Salah, and four of their children – ages 5 to 15 – received global attention when they were impounded for three months in Texas immigration prisons for the crime of not vacating to countries that would not take them. During the family’s imprisonment, a fifth child was placed into foster care with her uncle Ahmad. Israeli authorities deny 20 prisoners family visits due tomorrow Ma’an News Agency 8/8/2007 Tulkarem - Ma’an - Israeli authorities have stopped the families of 20 prisoners from visiting their imprisoned relatives in Ramon prison, located near Tulkarem. The family of imprisoned Hatem Al Jayousi reported that the Red Cross had contacted them, informing them that the Israelis had prevented 20 prisoners from seeing their parents, in visits due to be made tomorrow, Thursday. The family added that their son, and young prisoners who were with him, are being held in solitary confinement in Ramon prison. [end] Detainees in Azion detention facility facing solitary and abuse Najeeb Farraj - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 8/7/2007 The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) reported on Tuesday that Palestinian detainees held in the Azion Israeli detention and interrogation facility, in Azion settlement bloc west of Bethlehem, are facing abuse, torture, and that their conditions are gradually declining. One of the lawyers of the society stated that he visited a number of detainees in Azion and that there are 80 detainees imprisoned in the detention facility, totally isolated from the rest of the world since two months as visitation for their parents and are not allowed. Detainee As’ad Al Haimouny stated that he was kidnapped by the army two months ago and was subjected to different sorts of torture during interrogation, and added that he and the rest of the detainees are placed in detention rooms that lack the basic component of human livelihood. Israeli occupation army, Abbas’s forces hound, round up Hamas activists in WB Khalid Amayreh in the West Bank, Palestinian Information Center 8/6/2007 Israeli occupation forces and masked militiamen belonging to the American-backed Palestinian Authority regime in Rmallah have been raiding Palestinian population centers, arresting dozens of Hamas supporters and activists, local sources and relatives of the detainees said. The campaign coincides with a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, due to take place in the Palestinian town of Jericho Monday afternoon. In the central West Bank , near Ramallah, Israeli occupation troops on Sunday arrested three Palestinian activists at the village of Abu Falah, north west of Ramallah. A fourth activist was arrested at the Jalazone refugee camp also near Ramallah. The Israeli army said it arrested a fifth young Palestinian in the Hebron region. Prisoners call on Palestinian organizations to highlight their plight Ali Samoudi, International Middle East Media Center 8/7/2007 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers have directed a call to all the Palestinian organizations, factions and leaders to revive the prisoners’ cause, asking that they not be forgotten. In a message sent to the Prisoners’ Center for studies and research, prisoners stated that "we are loosing our lifetime far from the excitement of life, far from our wives and children, for the sake of our nation". There are approximately 11,000 prisoners in Israeli detention centers, among them over 300 elderly prisoners, some of whom have spent 30 years in prison. Ra’fat Hamdonah, director of the Prisoners’ Center for studies and research, stated that the center publicized the message for all the concerned parties. The prisoners’ messages refers to medical neglect, ransacking operations, and the practice... Army is expanding Huwwara detention facility near Nablus IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 8/7/2007 The Nafha Society for Defending the Rights of the Detainees and Human Rights reported on Tuesday that the Israeli army is currently expanding the Huwwara detention facility near the northern West Bank city of Nablus due to the increasing number of kidnappings carried by the army during the daily invasions and attacks in the West Bank and especially in Nablus area. The Society started that the detainees are not provided with sufficient and decent food, are not allowed to receive clothes from their parents and are repeatedly beaten, abused and confined to solitary. The Society also stated that the Red Cross did not provide the detainees with sufficient essential foods and that they do not have sugar, salt, and tea since ten days, and they have did not have water for two days. Arab Liberation Front calls on Mahmoud Abbas to intervene in the case of a prisoner held for almost twenty years Ma’an News Agency 8/7/2007 Khan Younis - Ma’an - The Arab Liberation Front has called on Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to intervene immediately in the case of a prisoner held in an Israeli prison for almost twenty years. Ahmad Shukri was arrested in 1989. In a statement The Arab Liberation Front said that the crimes committed by the Israeli prison administration were against both international law and against human rights. [end] Two babies, imprisoned in Israeli jails, are prohibited from leaving their cells Ma’an News Agency 8/6/2007 Tulkarem – Ma’an – The official internal security in Tel Mond prison, on Monday issued a decision denying two detained babies, the children of incarcerated women, the right to leave their cells. The prison’s authority refused to allow the infants to leave their cells during break-times in the jail. The mothers attempted to discover the reason for the ruling and appealed to the administration to revoke their decision, but their attempts failed. The children are Ghada Jaser Abu Omar, aged ten months, daughter of Khawula Zeitawi, and Bara’ Subeih, aged thirteen months, the son of Samar Subeih. [end] Israeli forces abduct Palestinian citizen from Abu Dis after beating him Ma’an News Agency 8/6/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israeli military forces on Monday morning detained a Palestinian man from Abu Dis, in the central occupied Palestinian West Bank. The Asrana (Our Prisoners) media office, located in Jerusalem, said that a large Israeli military contingent, reinforced by border guards and Special Forces stormed the town and arrested Abdallah Arafat Abu Sbitan after invading his house and searching it for more than two hours. The Israeli soldiers beat the man in front of his family, who they then locked up in one of the rooms. Abu Sbitan has been arrested before in 2005; he has served 18 months in prison. [end] Hamdona appeals for ending Shukri’s 18 years of solitary confinement Palestinian Information Center 8/5/2007 RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- The prisoners’ studies center has called on legal institutions and human right organizations to save the life of Palestinian prisoner Ahmed Shukri who has been held in Israeli jails for 18 years in complete isolation. Ra’fat Hamdona, director of the center, said that the prisoner managed to send him a message asking him to campaign for an end to such a condition, which Shukri described as "hell". Hamdona said that Shukri, who is described by Israel as one of the most dangerous security prisoners, should be transferred to central prisons and should mingle with others after 18 years of total isolation especially as he suffers from a number of diseases. Shukri is serving a life sentence for killing an Israeli settler and for attempting to steer a bus into a valley but the operation failed and he was arrested since 1989. Israeli authorities release Palestinian youth after three-and-a-half years in jail Ma’an News Agency 8/5/2007 Salfit – Ma’an – The Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday released Palestinian prisoner 19-year-old Tamir Masoud Khweira after three-and-a-half years in detention in Israeli jails. Khweira was arrested in March 2004 from Nablus and was subjected to harsh interrogation, then 41 months imprisonment, most of which he spent at a youth detention centre at Tel Mond, in Israel. [end] Nafha society: Israel is responsible for the health of imprisoned general director Muhammad Bsharat Ma’an News Agency 8/4/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – The Nafha society for the defending human rights of prisoners on Saturday held the occupying Israeli authorities completely responsible for the deterioration in health of the society’s general director, Muhammad Bsharat, after depriving him of necessary treatment in Israeli jail. In a statement received by Ma’an, the society declared that Bsharat, recently imprisoned in Israel, suffers from hyper-sensitivity and severe spasms as a result of kidney stones, and should be transferred to hospital. The Nafha society appealed to the Red Cross and all humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately in order to secure the release Bsharat from Israeli prison, or at least to ensure that he can receive the necessary medicines. [end] Minister of prisoners’ affairs visits Bethlehem and discusses issue of Palestinians in Israeli jails Ma’an News Agency 8/4/2007 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Palestinian minister of prisoners and ex-prisoners affairs, Ashraf Al-Ajrami, on Saturday visited the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The visit began with a meeting with local governor, Salah Ta’mari, who stated the importance of pursuing the issue of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails as a government priority. Head of the Bethlehem society for detainees’ affairs, Muhammad Hameida, delivered a speech in which he appealed to the Palestinian Authority to avoid any prisoners swap bound by Israeli demands. He also requested that the PA pay any fines imposed on Palestinian citizens by the Israeli courts. Al-Ajrami said that the PA will not accept any prisoners exchange limited by Israeli conditions, but that they welcome the release of any Palestinian prisoner. [end] Palestinian detainees suffering harsh living conditions, ill-treatment IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 8/3/2007 Akram Abu Siba’, secretary of the Detainees Office in Jenin district, stated on Friday that Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons are facing harsh living conditions, abuse and are deprived from their basic rights, while dozens of detainees are placed in solitary confinement for extended periods. He added that dozens of detainees are sick and need medical treatment but the Israeli prison administration is neglecting their rights and depriving them from the needed medical attention. Some of the cases mentioned in the report are; detainee Khader Turkman is suffering from a neurological disease, detainee Adeeb Al Qit, was shot and injured prior to his arrest and need surgeries, detainee Yasser Nazzal suffers from several diseases, detainee Montaser Abu Ghalion need ophthalmic treatment, detainee Anan Abu Khurj... Israeli authorities deliver body of Shadi Sa’ayda to his family Ma’an News Agency 8/3/2007 Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli authorities on Friday have handed over the corpse of the Palestinian prisoner, Shadi Sa’ayda, who died in the Nafha prison on 31st July. The body was delivered to the prisoner’s family at the Erez crossing, before it was transferred to the Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Ma’an’s correspondent reported that the body will be buried at Al-Maghazi refugee camp, also in the central Gaza Strip. Sa’ayda, 28, was arrested on 30th July 2005, and was sentenced to 8 lifetime imprisonments. He was accused of partaking in the ’Ein ’Areik operation in 2002, in which 6 Israeli soldiers were killed near Ramallah. After his health deteriorated, the prisoner was delivered to Soroka hospital inside Israel, where he later died. [end] OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report 25-31 Jul 2007 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - OCHA, ReliefWeb 7/31/2007 Of note this week - Gaza Strip: Seven Palestinians, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas members, were killed and seven others were injured from IDF military operations and IAF air strikes. Three Palestinians were killed, including two females, and nine others were injured in family disputes and other forms of internal violence. One Palestinian died due to illness on the Egyptian side of the closed Rafah crossing and another died in an Israeli prison. 17 mortars were fired at IDF bulldozers during IDF incursions into the Gaza Strip (Gaza and Khan Younis). In addition, 29 Qassam rockets, 31 mortar shells, and one RPG were fired towards Israel. These included two rockets and 12 mortars fired towards IDF Kissufim military base, eight rockets towards Sderot, one rocket and five mortars towards Kerem Shalom crossing, and five mortars towards Erez crossing, among others. Soldiers break into the house of a female detainee in Ramallah IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 8/3/2007 Palestinian sources reported on Thursday that Israeli soldiers broke into the house of detainee Nada Al Jayyousi, head of the Al Huda society for women in Al Biereh town, near the northern West Bank city of Ramallah, and searched the house causing damage in addition to terrifying her children. Abu Obaida, the husband of Nada, stated that soldiers broke into the house of Thursday at dawn and violently searched it while deliberately destroying and sabotaging the furniture and belongings of the house. Abu Obaida added that soldiers also confiscated two computers and several private documents including his identity card and family photo albums. He stated that soldiers deliberately confiscated pictures of their his children in order to practice physiological pressures on their detained mother during interrogation. Israeli army invades home of imprisoned head of women’s society Ameen Abu Warda, International Middle East Media Center 8/2/2007 The Israeli army invaded the house of the Nada Al Jayousi, the imprisoned head of the Al Huda Society for women in Ramallah, destroying furniture and taking photographs early on Thursday morning. Abu Obiedah, the prisoner’s husband, reported that the Israeli force refused to speak to him during the invasion. The soldiers damaged furniture and took two computers, personal documents, the husband’s identity card and a photo album. The Israeli soldiers also took photographs of Al Jayousi’s children, presumably to be used to impose pressure on Al Jayousi during interrogations. This action came shortly after Israel issued a law which prevents the use of psychological torture on prisoners during interrogations. Abu Obiedah appealed to the Red Cross and the Human Rights Association to work for to release his... Israeli military storms home of imprisoned head of Al Huda woman’s association Ma’an News Agency 8/2/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – A large contingent of the Israeli army on Thursday raided the house of Nada Al Jyousi, the head of the Al Hudna women’s association, currently in prison. During the raid, Israeli soldiers demolished much of the furniture. Al Jyousi’s husband declared that the soldiers did not address him or explain why they were there. The troops confiscated two computers, much of the husband’s papers, and his ID. The soldiers took pictures of Al Jyousi’s children that will, according to the husband, be used to put pressure on Al Jyousi during interrogation. Nafha, the Palestinian Association for the Defense of Human Rights, said that "these inhuman actions of putting psychological pressure on prisoners during investigation are against the law." [end] Head of Nafha Prisoners Association arrested by Israeli forces Ma’an News Agency 8/2/2007 Nablus – Ma’an – Israeli military forces on Thursday arrested the head of the Nafha prisoners association, Mohamad Bsharat. At dawn, they stormed his home and took him to an unknown location. In reaction, the Nafha society condemned his arrest. According to Nafha, the arrest comes as "revenge for the association’s activities in defending the rights of prisoners." The association assured they would reveal all crimes the occupying forces commit against Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Nafha appealed to humanitarian associations to intervene for the release of Bsharat. [end] Palestinian detainees carry hunger strike in protest to medical neglect Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/1/2007 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons and detention facilities carried a one-day hunger-strike on Wednesday in protest to the Israeli policies of medical neglect of all detainees. The protest was carried out after detainee Shadi Al Su’edi, 27, from Al Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza strip died of medical neglect in an Israeli prison on Tuesday. The Media Department of the Nafha Society for Defending Human Rights and the Rights of the Detainees reported that 11000 detainees carried a hunger strike on Wednesday in protest to these policies and called on all Palestinian human rights institutions and Palestinians civil society institutions to carry protests against the illegal Israeli practices especially since hundreds of detainees are in immediate need for medical treatment while the Israeli Prison Authority refuses to provide them with the needed medical treatment. Three Palestinian prisoners’ societies call on international intervention in the wake of deaths in Israeli jails Ma’an News Agency 8/1/2007 Gaza – Ma’an – Three Palestinian prisoner interest groups; Hussam, the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Society, the National and Islamic Prisoner and Martyrs Committee, and the Prisoners Centre for Research and Study, have expressed their grief over the death of Shadi Said Suleiman, who died in an Israeli jail on Tuesday. The three organisations issued a joint statement in which they urged human rights organisations to support the prisoners. The statement read "what is going on behind bars is a humanitarian crime; everybody should intervene and pressure the Israeli authorities to treat the sick prisoners." The societies criticised the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and appealed for it to intervene, especially because there are so many incarcerated patients in the Israeli jails. [end] Israeli military court extends sentences of Palestinian detainees and imprisons man for ’resisting occupation’ Ma’an News Agency 8/1/2007 Qalqilia – Ma’an – The information department of the Nafha society for defending human and detainee rights in Qalqilia, said on Wednesday that the Israeli military court at Salem and Jalama extended the period of detention for eleven prisoners. The military court of Salem also sentenced Jihad Adil to 15 months imprisonment and 1,000 NIS (~$230) for the crime of resisting the occupation. [end] Israeli military court extends detention period for Jihad Abed Al Hadi Shtawi until 2011 Ma’an News Agency 8/1/2007 Qalqilia - Ma’an - The Israeli military court at Salem has extended the detention period of Jihad Abed Al Hadi Shtawi until 30th November 2011. The detainee’s father reported that the court today extended the period of his son’s detention without giving any reason. [end]  Articles
Walking in Palestinian Shoes Joharah Baker, MIFTAH 8/29/2007 Many times, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict deserves lengthy and deep analyses.There are historical, cultural, political and religious considerations that need to be picked apart before reaching some sort of theory as to why this tiny slice of earth is so tormented. Then there are those times when a simple glance at the obvious is enough to clarify the complete injustice of the Israeli occupation. This is not even about the more significant issues such as political assassinations, home demolitions, prisoners or military operations that claim scores of lives. No, this is about everyday matters, most often taken for granted, which when one takes a moment to contemplate, show just how sinister a military occupation can be. Take an innocuous trip to the coastal town of Herzeliya. One of the more ritzy areas in Israel, the main mall in the town center is picture perfect.Not only is the actual structure aesthetically appealing, but the spacious piazza onto which the mall opens is breathtaking, overlooking the equally picturesque port, lined with sailboats, motorboats and luxurious yachts. Too many authorities Amira Hass, Ha’aretz 8/23/2007 Not only are some 1.5 million Gaza residents living like prisoners in the largest jail in the world, but they are also subjected to daily attacks by Israel that leave them with more dead to bury. Two children were killed on Tuesday, and not only those suspected of firing Qassam rockets. And if there’s no shelling, there’s a short-term incursion, and dozens of people are arrested and undergo a day-long campaign of humiliation. There are also murders by fellow Palestinians, though fewer than during Fatah rule. But the vendetta cycle continues to be a threat. Fatah members were arrested and tortured, and a Fatah supporter’s wedding was raided by Hamas gunmen. The economy has been completely paralyzed for two months now. Tens of thousands of private-sector workers have not made even NIS 100 in the past two months. There is zero export because the Karni crossing is closed. This situation will continue for a long time if Israel’s attitude toward Hamas remains as is. Lights Go out in Gaza MIFTAH, MIFTAH 8/18/2007 “We have not received fuel since Thursday morning”. This was the message conveyed by the agitated Chairman of the Gaza Generating Company, Rafik Malikha, following the closure of three out of four of the company’s generators on Friday. Although it is unsure as to how many people in Gaza will be affected by this fuel shortage, with estimations varying between sources over whether the Gaza Generating Company is responsible for a quarter, a third or three quarters of Gaza’s electricity, it is clear that Israel supplies the plant with all of its fuel.According to Palestinian and Israeli officials, Gaza utilizes roughly 200 megawatts of power per day. Sixty percent is from the Israeli Electric Corporation, 32% from the Gaza Generating Company and 8% from Egypt. Israeli sources claim they have ceased the transportation of fuel to Gaza for “security reasons”, namely the consistent attacks on Israeli border crossings by Palestinian activist groups. Since Hamas took control of Gaza on June 14, Israel has closed all crossings, transforming Gaza into an enclosed prison of poverty and humanitarian crisis. Erez, Karni and Nahal Oz are now partially open but not nearly transporting the sufficient amount of aid required. In addition, when these crossings are attacked, they are closed thus further exacerbating the situation in the Strip. A Year After Israel’s Second Lebanon War Jonathan Cook, ZNet 8/16/2007 This week marks a year since the end of hostilities now officially called the Second Lebanon war by Israelis. A month of fighting -- mostly Israeli aerial bombardment of Lebanon, and rocket attacks from the Shia militia Hizbullah on northern Israel in response -- ended with more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians and a small but unknown number of Hizbullah fighters dead, as well as 119 Israeli soldiers and 43 civilians. When Israel and the United States realised that Hizbullah could not be bombed into submission, they pushed a resolution, 1701, through the United Nations. It placed an expanded international peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, in south Lebanon to keep Hizbullah in check and try to disarm its few thousand fighters. But many significant developments since the war have gone unnoticed, including several that seriously put in question Israel’s account of what happened last summer. This is old ground worth revisiting for that reason alone. The war began on 12 July, when Israel launched waves of air strikes on Lebanon after Hizbullah killed three soldiers and captured two more on the northern border. (A further five troops were killed by a land mine when their tank crossed into Lebanon in hot pursuit.) Hizbullah had long been warning that it would seize soldiers if it had the chance, in an effort to push Israel into a prisoner exchange. Israel has been holding a handful of Lebanese prisoners since it withdrew from its two-decade occupation of south Lebanon in 2000. Can you hear the cries from Gaza? Sonja Karkar, ZNet 8/16/2007 No one seems to hear the cries from Gaza enough to act, despite the reports that talk about imminent economic collapse, dangerous food shortages, total aid dependency and impending humanitarian disaster. Neither the cries nor the reports appear in the headlines or news alerts in our mainstream media. And, while the statistics make shocking reading when they do emerge, it is the cries that we should be hearing because they come from people like us – real flesh and blood people who bleed, feel pain and grieve. They are the cries that give rise to the statistics, the cries of Palestinians no less human and no less vulnerable than any one of us would be as prisoners of Israel’s merciless occupation. For all the recent news about the infighting that has gripped internal Palestinian politics, there is no mistaking under whose suffocating matrix of control, the Palestinians are actually forced to live. Israel has threatened the Palestinians’ right to exist on their own land since it was created and it has no more disengaged from Gaza than it has from the West Bank. Instead, Israel has made a prison of Gaza and completely sealed it off from the West Bank and the outside world. Deeming it a place too dangerous to visit, Israel likes to portray the Palestinians as a violent people whose acts of resistance threaten Israel’s existence and necessitate the punitive measures that Israel takes against them. However, according to international law, resistance is a legitimate response of an occupied people and collective punishment by an Occupying Power against a civilian population is prohibited. The outrage in all this is the world’s acquiescence to Israel’s suppression of the Palestinians and the oppressive force it uses to reduce them to a sub-human existence. This cuts to the core of our humanity and it is simply not enough to say, “there but for the grace of God go I”. Unmercifully Trespass Humanitarian Borders In Gaza Nicola Nasser, ZNet 8/14/2007 The major political players who are involved in sealing off 1.5 million Palestinians into an open air prison in the world’s most densely populated 360-square-kilometre area of the Gaza Strip are unmercifully trespassing humanitarian borders there; they perceive in the collapsing economy of the Mediterranean coastal strip, which is rapidly developing into a humanitarian crisis, a political “window of opportunity.” Ironically they are counterproductively citing security and peace making as their casus belli, but they are creating on the ground an explosive humanitarian disaster that could blow off the local as well as the regional security in a way that precludes any credible efforts towards reviving a deadlocked peace process, moribund since 2000. Human rights and morality as well as realpolitics are facing a critical test in the Gaza Strip, where the culprits of the tragic status quo perceive a “window of opportunity.” According to Yoram Meital, Chairperson of the Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies & Diplomacy at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University (ynetnews.com on August 6), the first to point to this “window of opportunity” was the U.S. president, George W. Bush, who last month vaguely proposed an ambiguous public relations “international” conference on Middle East in the fall with the aim of advancing the peace process. In parallel, the Israeli prime minister suggested an “agreement of principles” for a final-status deal with the Palestinians. On August 8, Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni joined Bush’s new “vision” on the opportunity: “Gaza creates a security threat for us, while the other part (West Bank) controlled by the new Palestinian government (of Salam Fayyad) can create an opportunity,” she said. 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