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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 - September 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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Army invades Al Zababda and Sliat Al Harthia villages near Jenin and takes three prisoners International Middle East Media Center 9/28/2006 Israeli forces invaded the villages of Al Zababda and Sliat Al Harthia near the West Bank city of Jenin and took prisoner three residents on Thursday at dawn. Troops entered Al Zababda village east of Jenin and took Amar Abass, 29, and Mohamed Abu Khamis, 32, to unknown locations after searching a stone making factory where they work. Meanwhile, soldiers invaded Sliat Al Harthia village west of Jenin, searched and ransacked scores of residents' homes before taking Mahmoud Tahina, 20, to an unknown location, local sources reported. [end] PM: Palestinian prisoners won't be released until Shalit is freed Ha'aretz 9/29/2006 Hours after announcing plans to meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would not discuss releasing Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel, even as a goodwill gesture to Abbas, before abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was freed." I am not making gestures," Olmert told Israel Radio. "Until Gilad Shalit is freed, I will not deal with freeing Palestinian prisoners." In an interview on Army Radio, Olmert said his meeting with Abbas was not conditional upon Shalit's release. Olmert announced on Thursday that he intends to meet Abbas "in the coming days." The Prime Minister's Bureau later said that the meeting will not take place next week, as it requires advance planning. Hamas Demands Release of Palestinian Prisoners in Return For Israeli Soldier International Middle East Media Center 9/28/2006 Syrian-based Hamas leaders restated their demands Thursday that mediators first secure the release of Palestinian prisoners; only then would they free captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shilit. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he will not discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners until the question of Shilit’s release is resolved. Although Olmert is eager to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he reminded Abbas that negotiations must not be hasty, especially since Hamas controls the Palestinian government, he said in an interview with Israeli Radio Thursday. Abbas said on Thursday that they halted Egyptian mediation over talks to free Shilit in response to Hamas’s request for new arbiters. All Palestinian civil servants can withdraw NIS 1,500 from their accounts Thursday evening, Presidents' Office promises Ma'an News 9/28/2006 Ramallah -- "The Office of the President will pay $ 65 million to the governmental employees, as well as retirees and also to the families of the martyrs and prisoners," the director of the presidential office, Dr. Rafiq Husseini, said on Thursday. Dr. Husseini added that $ 5 million will be deducted from the mentioned amount in order to create a national fund. In addition, another amount will be deducted in order to pay off debts of the presidency office. In a press statement, Husseini added that all public sector employees will be able to go to an automated teller machine (ATM) on Thursday evening and withdraw an advance payment of NIS 1,500, (approximately US $ 350) regardless of the value of their annual salary. He stressed that the salaries will be in their accounts by Friday for sure. Army takes prisoners two residents from Nablus International Middle East Media Center 9/28/2006 The Israeli army took prisoner two residents in a predawn invasion to several parts of the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday. In Balata Refugee Camp troops attacked and ransacked scores of residents' homes and shot live rounds randomly at residents before taking a 20 year old young woman, Du'a Hussen, and another unknown youth from the refugee camp to unknown locations, eyewitnesses reported. Elsewhere, in the nearby Rojeb and Assira Al Shamaliha villages near Nablus, soldiers searched scores of homes and damaged families' belongings during the dawn invasion today. The army claimed they were looking for wanted people. [end] Army takes prisoner two residents in Abu Da'eif village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 9/28/2006 The Israeli army took prisoner Obaida Yassen, 21, and Ibrahem Yassen, 22, during a dawn invasion of Abu Da'eif village east of the West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday. Troops and army jeeps raided the village and conducted a house-to-house search campaign and ransacked families' belongings before taking the two detainees to unknown locations. [end] Army takes prisoner two residents in Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 9/28/2006 Israeli forces took prisoner two residents in a pre dawn invasion to the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday. More than 8 army vehicles surrounded Rakhmah area on the east side of Bethlehem, searched several homes, then took Rami Shawuria, 22, to an unknown location. Moreover, in Al Karkafa area, on the west side of the city, troops stormed, searched and ransacked the house of Moussa Zawahra, 44, then took him to an unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. [end] Israeli incursion into Balata refugee camp; at least two men taken prisoner Ma'an News 9/27/2006 Ma'an - During an Israeli military incursion into Balata refugee camp on Wednesday morning, there were clashes, explosions, shooting and reportedly a number of injuries and arrests. The Israeli army claimed that three Palestinians were injured and two arrested during the clashes in Balata, in the city of Nablus in the north of the occupied West Bank. However, our reporter in Nablus said that Palestinian sources denied the Israeli reports about injured Palestinians. The reporter confirmed that a number of young Palestinian men were taken prisoner by the Israeli forces, including Ala'a Sharay'ah, 21, and Jihad Shoufan, 17. Palestinian sources in Nablus also said an Israeli military vehicle was damaged when a roadside bomb exploded. Jewish terrorist who murdered four Palestinians gets four consecutive life sentences Ma'an News 9/27/2006 The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday sentenced a Jewish terrorist to four consecutive life sentences, plus an additional 12 years in prison, for the murder of four Palestinian men. Asher Weisgan was convicted on September 11th of murdering four Arab workmen and wounding a fifth at a factory in the West Bank settlement of Shilo where they all worked under his supervision, the day before the implementation of the Gaza disengagement plan in August 2005. At the end of the work day at the factory, Weisgan gave four Arab workmen a ride in his car, stole an M-16 assault rifle from the guard and used it to shoot his four passengers, killing three of them and wounding the fourth. He then he ran toward the factory and shot another workman before turning himself in to the security officer who arrived on the scene. Marwan Barghouti: Had Israel released Palestinian detainees, their soldiers wouldn't have been kidnapped Ma'an News 9/27/2006 Bethlehem -- The secretary of the Fatah movement in the West Bank, Marwan Barghouti has said, from his Israeli prison cell, that the war in Lebanon has changed the state of affairs in the region, revealing the limits of Israeli power and the importance of resisting the occupation. Barghouti, who was speaking during a visit to his Nafha prison by the Palestinian Knesset member Talab Al-Sani, added, "Israel's biggest fault was the rejection of the release of Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners." Upon being asked about the possibility of releasing him personally as a part of the prisoners' swap, Barghouti said "The freedom of the Palestinian people in general is more important than my own." Barghouti also criticized the Israeli position towards the "prisoners' document", which he depicted as a revolutionary change. MK Taleb A-Sanaa calls for Marwan Barghouti's release Jerusalem Post 9/27/2006 MK Taleb a-Sanaa didn't have to hold visits with Arab leaders in Damascus and Beirut to cause controversy, like other Arab MKs have done this summer. He only had to travel to Nafha Prison in the Negev in order to conduct his Wednesday meeting with Fatah-Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti. At the meeting, a-Sanaa said, he and Barghouti - who is serving five life sentences for his role in terrorist activity - discussed topics of local and global political importance, including the potential for a unity government in the Palestinian Authority, the practice of exchanging prisoners for captured IDF soldiers and the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The two met for 90 minutes in the head warden's office at the prison. Gaza a prison, says UN envoy AlJazeera 9/26/2006 Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a prison for Palestinians where life is intolerable, a human rights envoy has told the United Nations Human Rights Council. John Dugard, special UN rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, said on Tuesday that the US, Europe and Canada had failed the Palestinian people by withdrawing funds since Hamas's refusal to accept Israel's right to exist. He also described the Palestinians' lives as appalling and tragic. He said: "In other countries this process might be described as ethnic cleansing but political correctness forbids such language where Israel is concerned. If the international community cannot take some action, [it] must not be surprised if the people of the planet disbelieve that they are seriously committed to the promotion of human rights." Hamas MPs refused release on bail BBC 9/25/2006 An Israeli military court has ordered the detention of a group of Palestinian legislators from Hamas until the end of judicial proceedings against them. The decision reverses an earlier ruling ordering the release of the legislators on bail until they faced trial. The group includes three members of the Hamas-led Palestinian government who were seized after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier in June. They are charged with membership of an illegal terrorist organisation." The state of Israel has the right to defend itself against terror. Terror will not be allowed to continue," the appeals court said in its ruling. The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says there has been speculation that the politicians could be released as part of a prisoner-swap with the abducted soldier. Troops abduct a resident in Qabatia International Middle East Media Center 9/26/2006 Palestinian sources reported on Tuesday at night that Israeli soldiers abducted Ali Abu M'alla, 20, from Qabatia town, south of Jenin in the northern part of the West Bank. The sources stated that Abu M'alla was approaching his home when he was attacked and abducted by undercover forces of the Israel army. After the resident was taken prisoner, Israeli soldiers invaded the town and exchanged fire with resistance fighters, no injuries were reported. Army claims that the resident is a member of the Islamic Jihad Movement. [end] Army takes two prisoners from Hebron and a nearby village International Middle East Media Center 9/26/2006 Monther Hassan, 28, from the West Bank city of Hebron and Sobhi Zma'ra, 16, from the nearby Halhoul village were taken prisoners by the Israeli army on Tuesday morning. Troops stormed, searched and ransacked residents' houses in Hebron city and Halhou, before taking the two to unknown locations, their families reported. The sister of Zma'ra said that troops stormed their house in Halhoul 50 days ago and abducted her19-year old brother who remained in detention until now without charges or trial. [end] Army invades Kofer Dann village near Jenin, takes six prisoners International Middle East Media Center 9/26/2006 Tuesday at dawn, Israeli army invaded the village of Kofer Dan, west of Jenin in the northern part of the West Bank, and took six residents prisoners, including four brothers. Several army vehicle invaded the village and fired flares and sound bombs while soldiers conducted wide scale house-to-house search campaign and ransacked families belongings before taking the six to unknown locations. The detainees were identified as; Qaher Abed, 39, and his three brothers Samir, 33, Osama, 29, and Lotfi, 25, Mohamed Abu Al Hija, 21, and his brother Khairy, 20. [end] Former PMs offer formula for Hizbullah to disarm The Daily Star 9/27/2006 BEIRUT: A gathering of former prime ministers said on Tuesday that Hizbullah would disarm when all occupied Lebanese territory was liberated and all detainees were freed. Former Premiers Salim Hoss, Amin Hafez, Rashid Solh, Omar Karami and Najib Mikati signed a memorandum of accord on Tuesday, which said the issue of the Shebaa Farms and the detainees should be resolved through UN Security Council Resolution 1701." Then there won't be a need for the resistance's weapons," the document said. Gathered at Hoss' Beirut residence, the quintet warned that internal bickering would only "widen sectarian divisions and increase tension." The country's leading politicians should "agree on common views about crucial issues," they added. Israel releases names of Jordanian political prisoners for first time family visits Palestine News Network 9/26/2006 For the first time, the Israeli government has released the names of Jordanian political prisoners in Israeli prisons for visits. Jordanian families will ostensibly be able to visit their imprisoned family members. Political sources reported Tuesday that the impending visits will be lengthy in order to be sensitive to travel logistics and Israeli security measures. The same sources said that the upcoming visit need time not to become short, has become a reality because of the sensitivity of logistics and security measures in this direction according to these sources. This step comes after Israeli government approval two weeks ago for a doctor to give checkups to the 30 Jordanian political prisoners who were still barred from visits with relatives. Several of them suffer chronic disease. Among them is a man imprisoned for over 16 years in difficult health. UN says Gaza crisis 'intolerable' BBC 9/26/2006 Standards of human rights in the Palestinian territories have fallen to intolerable new levels, says a UN expert on the Mid-East conflict. John Dugard said Israel was largely to blame for turning Gaza into "a prison" and "throwing away the key". But he also criticised the US, Canada and Europe for withdrawing funds to the Palestinian Authority, run by Hamas militants who do not recognise Israel. An Israeli official said the statement was unrealistic and over-simplified. Mr Dugard, UN special rapporteur on Palestinian human rights, said three-quarters of Palestinians in Gaza now depended on food aid - a result, he added, of Israeli military raids, blockades and demolitions." I hope that my portrayal... will trouble the consciences of those accustomed to turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the suffering of the Palestinian people..." Rights group: Israel abducting civilians The Daily Star 9/26/2006 BEIRUT: The Khiam Rehabilitation Center for the Victims of Torture said Monday that Israel continues to abduct Lebanese citizens from Lebanese territories in a "clear violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 1701." The center said in a statement that "the convention prohibits the taking of hostages who have no active role in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those put out of action by sickness, wounds, detention or any other cause." The center urged the international community to force Israel to stop abducting civilians and release all Lebanese detained in its prisons. It added that Israel's actions violate Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. Prisoner's Mother Calls for Saving her Son's Life WAFA - Palestine News Agency 9/25/2006 TULKAREM, September 25, 2006, (WAFA)- A mother of patient prisoner, Shadi Mattar, called on international organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to intervene for providing her son with medicine. In an interview with WAFA, the mother, Um Shadi, said that her son, who is in Nafha Israeli jail, is in need for medical treatment, asserting that he might lose his right leg. She asserted that the Israeli jailers refuse accessing medicine to the prison or to provide him medicine from the clinic inside the prison. Um Shadi said that her son suffers sever inflammation in the two legs. He used suffering troubles in both legs. Shadi was shot in his left leg by Israeli soldiers during his arrest in 2003, she said. The mother of the prisoner added that her son suffers troubles in breathing and respiratory tract. One of President Abbas' guards seized by Israeli soldiers in a morning raid Ma'an News 9/25/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli forces seized one of Palestinian President Abbas' guards in a raid of a town in the south of the occupied West Bank early on Monday, Palestinian security sources have said. Palestinian sources reported that an Israeli contingent broke into the town of Adh Dhahiriya, southwest of Hebron, early on Monday morning and launched a house-to-house search. They surrounded the house of Nasser Nayef Hussein, 24, a member of the Palestinian presidential security guards, 'Force 17' and took him prisoner. [end] PCHR Organizes A Workshop on the Death Penalty Under the Palestinian National Authority Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 9/24/2006 On Sunday, 24 September 2006, PCHR organized a workshop on the death penalty under the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The workshop, which was attended by at least 5 representatives of civil society organizations and human rights defenders, was held at the offices of Sharek Youth Forum in Rafah. This workshop, which was the second of its kind, was held in the context of a series of activities organized by PCHR for the World Day against Torture on 10 October. PCHR had organized a similar workshop at its offices in Khan Yunis on Thursday, 21 September 2006. During the workshop, Dr. Tariq Mukhimer, a researcher at PCHR Democratic Development Unit, presented a position paper prepared by PCHR on the death penalty under the PNA. PM Haniyeh: We will accept a Palestinian state on the '67 borders and call a truce Ma'an News 9/22/2006 Gaza -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh has announced that his government will accept the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders in exchange for the Palestinian refugees' right of return and a 'hudna' or truce with Israel, not a recognition. In press statements after Friday prayers, Haniyeh said that the formation of any government will be based on the National Accord Document which was generated form the Prisoners' Document. In this way, Haniyeh has said that his government will call a ceasefire with Israel and work towards the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, but his Hamas-led government will not recognise the State of Israel's right to exist. Haniyeh also said that there is no discussion at present about dissolving the government. The discussions will resume after President Abbas has returned from his trip abroad. PM Haniyeh: We will accept a Palestinian state on the '67 borders and call a truce Ma'an News 9/22/2006 Gaza -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh has announced that his government will accept the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders in exchange for the Palestinian refugees' right of return and a 'hudna' or truce with Israel, not a recognition. In press statements after Friday prayers, Haniyeh said that the formation of any government will be based on the National Accord Document which was generated form the Prisoners' Document. In this way, Haniyeh has said that his government will call a ceasefire with Israel and work towards the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, but his Hamas-led government will not recognise the State of Israel's right to exist. Haniyeh also said that there is no discussion at present about dissolving the government. The discussions will resume after President Abbas has returned from his trip abroad. Urgent appeal to save the life of Palestinian political prisoner in Israeli jail Palestine News Network 9/22/2006 The Palestinian Prisoner Society received an urgent letter Friday. It was an SOS, written on behalf of Palestinian political prisoner Abdel Raouf Abu Atcha. The 39 year olds life is in serious danger. The Silwad resident has six children and has been imprisoned since 17 May 2004. His eldest is now 13 years old. In the letter penned to the Prisoner Society the request was clear. Atcha has three clots in his brain and heart, leaving him half paralyzed. He cannot move other than by wheelchair. Fellow political prisoners wrote that the man is also suffering from a stomach ulcer, lack of full use of his limbs, and severe back pain. The Israeli Prison Administration will not allow the clearly in-need Palestinian to receive any medical treatment. Urgent appeal to save the life of Palestinian political prisoner in Israeli jail Palestine News Network 9/22/2006 The Palestinian Prisoner Society received an urgent letter Friday. It was an SOS, written on behalf of Palestinian political prisoner Abdel Raouf Abu Atcha. The 39 year olds life is in serious danger. The Silwad resident has six children and has been imprisoned since 17 May 2004. His eldest is now 13 years old. In the letter penned to the Prisoner Society the request was clear. Atcha has three clots in his brain and heart, leaving him half paralyzed. He cannot move other than by wheelchair. Fellow political prisoners wrote that the man is also suffering from a stomach ulcer, lack of full use of his limbs, and severe back pain. The Israeli Prison Administration will not allow the clearly in-need Palestinian to receive any medical treatment. Detainee facing death as health condition sharply deteriorates International Middle East Media Center 9/22/2006 In an urgent letter sent by the detainees to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), the detainees in Be'er Sheva Israeli prison appealed human rights organizations to save the life of detainee Abdul-Raouf Mustafa Abu Atsha, 39, from Silwad. Abu Atsha, a father of 6 children, was taken prisoner on May 17, 2004. He suffered three strokes causing paralysis that forced him to depend on a wheelchair. Yet, he also suffers ulcer and slipped disc. The detainees wrote in their letter that the Israeli Prison Administration does not provide Abu Atsha with any medications or medical equipment, and still refuses to transfer him to Al Ramleh detention hospital. They appealed human rights organizations and the Red Cross to interfere for the release of Abu Atsha in order to enable him receive the needed medical treatment and attention. Detainee facing death as health condition sharply deteriorates International Middle East Media Center 9/22/2006 In an urgent letter sent by the detainees to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), the detainees in Be'er Sheva Israeli prison appealed human rights organizations to save the life of detainee Abdul-Raouf Mustafa Abu Atsha, 39, from Silwad. Abu Atsha, a father of 6 children, was taken prisoner on May 17, 2004. He suffered three strokes causing paralysis that forced him to depend on a wheelchair. Yet, he also suffers ulcer and slipped disc. The detainees wrote in their letter that the Israeli Prison Administration does not provide Abu Atsha with any medications or medical equipment, and still refuses to transfer him to Al Ramleh detention hospital. They appealed human rights organizations and the Red Cross to interfere for the release of Abu Atsha in order to enable him receive the needed medical treatment and attention. Palestinian prisoners send S.O.S message in an attempt to save the life of fellow inmate Ma'an News 9/22/2006 Bethlehem -- Palestinian prisoners in Be'er Sheva prison have managed to send out an S. O. S message expressing their concern for the life of fellow inmate Mustapha Abu Atsha who was arrested in May 2004. The 39 year old father of six from Ramallah in the West Bank has been in jail ever since. From the contents of the message it would appear that Abu Atsha is suffering from blood clots of the heart and brain which may have caused partial paralysis. The prisoners further stated that it is difficult to move him as he is also suffering from severe back pains, but that they fear his condition is critical. The prisoners have also complained that the prison authority has refused to assist Abu Atsha with the proper medicines or treatment. They also stated that the prison authority will not move him to the prison hospital in Ramla. Palestinian prisoners send S.O.S message in an attempt to save the life of fellow inmate Ma'an News 9/22/2006 Bethlehem -- Palestinian prisoners in Be'er Sheva prison have managed to send out an S. O. S message expressing their concern for the life of fellow inmate Mustapha Abu Atsha who was arrested in May 2004. The 39 year old father of six from Ramallah in the West Bank has been in jail ever since. From the contents of the message it would appear that Abu Atsha is suffering from blood clots of the heart and brain which may have caused partial paralysis. The prisoners further stated that it is difficult to move him as he is also suffering from severe back pains, but that they fear his condition is critical. The prisoners have also complained that the prison authority has refused to assist Abu Atsha with the proper medicines or treatment. They also stated that the prison authority will not move him to the prison hospital in Ramla. Money runs out for excavating oldest church Globes 9/17/2006 The Christian altar found at the Megiddo Prison dates to the third or fourth century CE. -- The tourist development venture at a Christian altar found at the Megiddo Prison, considered the world’s oldest church dating to the third of fourth century CE, has been halted because of a lack of money. The Israel Antiquities Authority financed the excavations and preservation of the site for years, but says it can no longer bear the cost. Since the relevant authorities have not allocated the necessary resources to dedicate the site and develop it into a global tourist attraction, the Antiquities Authority has had to cover the ruins with sand and a tarpaulin in order to preserve them. The purpose is to prevent natural or human-induced damage to the uncovered mosaic. Money runs out for excavating oldest church Globes 9/17/2006 The Christian altar found at the Megiddo Prison dates to the third or fourth century CE. -- The tourist development venture at a Christian altar found at the Megiddo Prison, considered the world’s oldest church dating to the third of fourth century CE, has been halted because of a lack of money. The Israel Antiquities Authority financed the excavations and preservation of the site for years, but says it can no longer bear the cost. Since the relevant authorities have not allocated the necessary resources to dedicate the site and develop it into a global tourist attraction, the Antiquities Authority has had to cover the ruins with sand and a tarpaulin in order to preserve them. The purpose is to prevent natural or human-induced damage to the uncovered mosaic. Groups Denounce Deal on Detainee Rights Inter Press Service 9/22/2006 WASHINGTON, Sep 22 (IPS) - Human and civil rights groups have broadly denounced a compromise deal on the application of the Geneva Conventions to detainees in the "global war on terror" worked out between the White House and a group of rebellious Republican senators whose efforts have been backed until now by their Democratic colleagues. While the deal, the product of two weeks of intense negotiations, appeared to make some concessions to the rebels, who were also supported by scores of retired senior military officers, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, most analysts expressed scepticism that it would make a substantial difference in the way the administration intends to treat detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. Groups Denounce Deal on Detainee Rights Inter Press Service 9/22/2006 WASHINGTON, Sep 22 (IPS) - Human and civil rights groups have broadly denounced a compromise deal on the application of the Geneva Conventions to detainees in the "global war on terror" worked out between the White House and a group of rebellious Republican senators whose efforts have been backed until now by their Democratic colleagues. While the deal, the product of two weeks of intense negotiations, appeared to make some concessions to the rebels, who were also supported by scores of retired senior military officers, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, most analysts expressed scepticism that it would make a substantial difference in the way the administration intends to treat detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. Israeli army invades Beit Fourik near Nablus, sets one house ablaze, takes one prisoner International Middle East Media Center 9/20/2006 Israeli forces invaded the village of Beit Fourik at dawn on Wednesday, set one house ablaze and took one person prisoner. Soldiers surrounded the house of Ferass Militat, 30, and then took him to an unknown location. The army claims that Militat is a member of the Islamic Jihad. Troops fired sound bombs into resident's houses in the village, setting the house of Abdullah Hannini on fire causing massive damage. Also, soldiers detained several children and took them to a nearby military post where they where held over night, interrogated and abused, Fadi Hamdan, an eyewitness and resident of Beit fourik reported. Hamdan added that army invasions are becoming daily events in the village. [end] Incursion into Jenin refugee camp and Tammun, 2 detained Ma'an News 9/20/2006 Jenin -- Israeli forces seized an Islamic Jihad activist in Jenin refugee camp during their invasion of the city of Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday morning. They also took prisoner one member of the Palestinian intelligence apparatus during an incursion into the town of Tammun south of the city of Tubas. Palestinian security sources reported that the Israeli forces raided the camp and seized Muhammad Brik after breaking into his house. The Israeli army claimed that he is affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement. The Israeli forces also seized Bashar Bsharat, a member of the Palestinian intelligence forces after breaking into his house in Tammun during an invasion by dozens of Israeli military vehicles. [end] Israeli Army enters a town near Bethlehem and takes one prisoner International Middle East Media Center 9/20/2006 Siraj Yousif, 23, was taken prisoner by the Israeli army during an incursion to Al Doha town west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday at dawn. A number of army vehicles stormed the town, surrounded the Al Radidah building and then searched and ransacked Yousif 's home before taking him to an unknown location, Yousif works as a police officer in Bethlehem, local sources reported. [end] Army invades Al Dohaisha refugee camp in Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 9/20/2006 An Israeli force invaded the Dohaisha refugee camp in the southern part of West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday. Troops conducted a wide scale search campaign in the refugee camp. Residents said that soldiers violently forced their way into their houses, searched them then ransacked their belongings. The army left without taking any prisoners. [end] Mobile phones are the window of freedom for Palestinian political prisoners Palestine News Network 9/20/2006 In spite of their isolation, Palestinian political prisoners find methods of communicating with the outside world. Families, friends and media are able to receive periodic calls from inside Israeli prisons. That is the quickest method of receiving information regarding conditions and health. Palestinians inside have been able to secretly use mobile phones over the years. But as it turns out it is no secret. Israeli intelligence services claim to be listening in on the calls, and say that resistance activities are discussed with affiliated party members abroad. The subject of mobile phones has been debated in the Israeli Knesset, among prison administrators, and military forces. The current Mejido Israeli Prison administration took over from the army in 2005. HRW accuses Jordan of prison abuse AlJazeera 9/19/2006 A New York-based human rights group has accused Jordan's security services of carrying out frequent arbitrary arrests and torturing detainees. Human Rights Watch (HRW) also alleged that many suspects were held in solitary confinement without being charged before they were eventually released. The group urged George Bush, the US president, and members of the US Congress to take up the matter with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Major General Muhamad al-Dhahabi, the head of the main detention facility, both of who are currently visiting the United States. Christoph Wilcke told reporters that the allegations, contained in a 66-page report, were based on findings from 16 cases, mostly involving Islamists. He said, however, that there were “many more cases” of such abuse. Detainee Paralyzed During Torture in Israeli Prison International Middle East Media Center 9/20/2006 Every Palestinian detainee has their own story of the horrors of being held in Israeli detention, but in the case of detainee Luay Al Ashqar, 28, from Saida village, near Tulkarem (in the northern part of the West Bank), the result and the outcome are clearly apparent on his body, which has been paralyzed due to Israeli torture. Al Ashqar is currently in Majeddo prison after the Israeli Salim military court sentenced him for 26 months. Here is his story, in his own words, of how he became paralyzed: “During interrogation, I was seated on a chair, my back was bent backwards, and my head nearly reached my legs (a common torture technique used by Israeli interrogators that has been documented by human rights groups and condemned on multiple occasions).... 25% of Palestinians have been imprisoned by Israel since 1967 Ma'an News 9/19/2006 Gaza -- The Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs has revealed that 700,000 Palestinians have been arrested and imprisoned in Israeli prisons since 1967. This means that 25% of the total population of the occupied Palestinian territory has been held in Israeli jails over the last 29 years. In a report, the ministry pointed out that 50,000 of them were arrested during the current, Al Aqsa Intifada (which began in September 2000) and 10,300 of them are still in Israeli prisons. The ministry added that 5,000 Palestinian children have been arrested during this Intifada. 391 children are still in Israeli jails, of whom 105 need medical attention. The report added that there are approximately 667 detainees in Israeli prisons who were arrested when they were children and are now over the age of 18. -- See also: Israeli forces have arrested a quarter of the population since the 1967 occupation began Two killed in the West Bank one of them a pregnant woman International Middle East Media Center 9/19/2006 Two West Bank residents were killed by the Israeli army on Tuesday morning, one of them a pregnant woman who was delayed at an army checkpoint. Bushra Sultan, 27, from the Saflit region of the West Bank, died at an Israeli military checkpoint - East of Saflit - which had been closed by Israeli soldiers on Tuesday morning. Medical teams tried to revive Sultan but all attempts failed, leading to her death due to being unnecessarily held at the checkpoint. Israeli soldiers stationed at checkpoints located all over the West Bank delay ambulances for hours as they search Palestinian vehicles. This action often leads to the death of patients in ambulances waiting to cross checkpoints. Elsewhere Nabile Hanini, 25, from Sanour village south of the West Bank city of Jenin was shot and killed and another four taken prisoner... -- See also: Palestinian woman dies at checkpoint Female detainees facing severe punishment in Telmond International Middle East Media Center 9/20/2006 Detainee Suad Abu Hamad, from Nazareth, said that female detainees in Telmond Israeli prison are facing harsh procedures and collective punishment after the prison administration claimed that two detainees attempted to escape by “digging a tunnel” in one of the rooms. The statement of Abu Hamad came on Friday September 17, during her meeting with Hanan Al Khateeb, a lawyer working with the Palestinian Prisoners Society. Detainee Abu Hamad and three other detainees identified as Areen Ahmad, Abeer Amro and Shereen Al sheikh, were confined to solitary on September 12, 2006.... Detainees in Israeli detention facilities and prisons are facing harsh living conditions, bad treatment and are denied of their medication rights. Hundreds of detainees are barred from their visitation rights, isolated and tortured. Israeli troops invade West Bank villages, take nine youths prisoner Ma'an News 9/19/2006 Bethlehem -- Ma'an - Israeli forces stormed a Bethlehem village early on Tuesday and took two youths away. More Israeli forces invaded Nablus and a nearby village, taking a further seven Palestinian youths captive. Dozens of Israeli military vehicles and armoured personnel carriers raided the village of Ash Shawawra, south east of the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and closed off the village's entrances. Soldiers broke into a number of houses and seized Ala'a Shawawrah, 25, and Nidal Rabay'ah, 19. The brother of Ala'a Shawawrah explained that Ala'a was only released from Israeli prison 5 days ago after spending 9 months imprisoned for alleged affiliation to Fatah. Ala'a's brother confirmed that the Israeli soldiers beat up Ala'a in front of his family and attacked his mother and brothers with rifles. Army takes seven prisoners from Nablus district International Middle East Media Center 9/19/2006 Israeli forces stormed the West Bank city of Nablus and Osren nearby village, taking seven prisoners on Tuesday. Soldiers troops stormed Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, and took Rashad Yassein, 16, and Fadi Abu Koshik, 18, to unknown locations. Also soldiers took Bara'a Abu Ja'afar, 21, after searching several houses in the city. In Osren village, south of Nablus, soldiers broke into dozens of homes and ransacked families' belongings before taking Amin Qdili, 20, Turki Adili, 20, Salim Azimah, 19, and Haitham Adili, 20, to unknown locations, local sources reported. [end] Israel confirms: Letter received from Shalit YNet News 9/20/2006 Letter from kidnapped soldier reaches Israel as part of negotiations for prisoner swap deal opposite Palestinians -- Israel on Wednesday night confirmed for the first time that a letter has been received from Gilad Shalit. Channel 2 reported that the letter, which was reported by Arab media in recent days, indeed exists and was received by Israel. Egyptian Foreign Minister Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his optimism on Monday regarding the chances that Shalit would be released. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the UN headquarters in New York, he said that he was very optimistic that it would happen within days. "We will bring him," he said. Israeli forces have arrested a quarter of the population since the 1967 occupation began Palestine News Network 9/19/2006 The Palestinian Ministry Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Statistics Department issued a report Tuesday on political prisoners in Israeli jails. The photo shown appeared for a brief period on the Ha'aretz Daily website with the caption, "Israeli court" a few years ago. Since 1967 Israeli forces arrested 700,000 citizens, or roughly 25 percent of the Palestinian population of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Fifty-thousand of them were arrested during the Al Aqsa Intifada, which began in September 2000. The number of current prisoners is approximately 10,300. Those who have been imprisoned since before Oslo, and therefore required to be released numerous times, number 367. Israeli forces arrested over 5,000 Palestinian children since September 2000. -- See also: 25% of Palestinians have been imprisoned by Israel since 1967 Political prisoners prepare to spend Ramadan in Israeli jails Palestine News Network 9/18/2006 More than 2,400 Palestinian political prisoners in Al Naqab (Negev) Prison are hoping to receive goods from the local community. As Ramadan approaches, the Israeli prison administration is expecting to allow just one delivery truck. Several Palestinians in the desert prison spoke with PNN via mobile phone. Abu Yahya Jabari from Hebron told PNN, “Al Naqab is the largest of the prisons with 2,400 of us.... Abu Yahya, an alias used for fear of repercussion for having a cell phone in his possession continued. “The prison administration refused to introduce trucks carrying supplies, instead forcing us to be things at the Cantina for their profit..." ... The Ministry spokesperson added, “In addition to material support the Ministry distributes a total of 600,000 NIS per month to prisoners. ” [For 10,000 prisoners, that's about $13 per month each. ] Mubarak: Israel could free many Palestinians YNet News 9/18/2006 Egyptian president says Israel agreed to release more Palestinian prisoners than expected as part of possible deal covering release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit; Mubarak fails to specify exact number of prisoners to be freed -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Israel may release more Palestinian prisoners than expected as part of a possible deal covering the release of an Israeli soldier held by Palestinians. "The outlines of the agreement, which is not yet complete, affirm the release of the Israeli prisoner in exchange for an initial large batch of women and children and then the release of Palestinian prisoners in three batches," the state news agency MENA said, quoting Mubarak speaking on Sunday night. Prime Minister prevented from reaching PLC meeting in Gaza; Fateh members leave in protest Palestine News Network 9/18/2006 As Prime Minister Ismail Haniya arrived to the Gaza location of today’s Legislative Council meeting chaos broke out in the streets. The Prime Minister intended to make a statement during the PLC meeting concerning the current circumstances surrounding the issues of political prisoners, the strikes, and the coalition government. Several people accompanied the Prime Minister but they too were unable to navigate the crowd of Fateh and Hamas protesters, each with different agendas, but all angered by lack of salaries since the US and Israel imposed a political and economic blockade when Hamas took office. Members of the Executive Forces fired shots in the air to disperse demonstrators that were in the courtyard. Air Force sex scandal: 9 more soldiers incarcerated YNet News 9/18/2006 Soldiers, who allegedly had sexual relations with 14-year-old girl in their base, convicted of behavior unbecoming, shameful conduct. Each will serve sentence of 14 to 30 days in military prison. Eleven others due to be sentenced in near future -- Nine soldiers who were allegedly involved in the sexual relations scandal with a 14-year-old girl in the Nevatim Air Force base in the south of Israel were sentenced Monday to a period of 14 to 30 days in a military prison for behavior unbecoming, and for shameful behavior. These sentences were given despite sharp criticism from the public and from women's organizations claiming that the soldiers were not given harsh enough sentences.... So far, the most a single soldier was sentenced to was 42 days. Female prisoners suffer in Telmond prison Ma'an News 9/7/2006 Bethlehem -- Bethlehem - Ma'an – The lawyer from the Mandela Society for Prisoners' Care, Buthaynah Doqmaq, said that the society has noticed a recent trend, where the numbers of prisoners who are mothers is dramatically increasing. The lawyer confirmed that conditions for these women are deteriorating in several different Israeli jails. In a statement issued by the society, Doqmaq said that in Telmond prison, the authorities are overcrowding prisoners, leading to their suffering. Each section of the prison is overloaded, which has had a major impact on the level of medical care available. The prisoners also complain of the heat in the rooms. The statement also said that there are two infants currently in the jail. Soldiers severely abuse young Palestinian and take a picture of themselves on his cell phone B'tselem 9/6/2006 On 26 August 2006, soldiers detained Tha'ir Muhsen, 18, from a-Neqora, a village near Nablus , while he was on his way home after registering at a-Najah University , in Nablus. The soldiers sat him down next to another Palestinian who had been detained. The other fellow told Muhsen that the soldiers had beaten him. When one of the soldiers threw a stick to another soldier present, the other detainee fled. The soldiers chased him but returned empty- handed. They then began to abuse Muhsen. The maltreatment lasted for about two hours, during which time the soldiers beat him over his whole body with their hands, sticks, and stones, kicked him, pulled his hair, and threw him to the ground. Muhsen lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness, the abuse continued. Syria disrupting Shalit negotiations Jerusalem Post 9/7/2006 Negotiations over the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit have stalled because of the intervention of Syria, which is exerting pressure on the Hamas leadership not to accept proposals made by the Egyptian mediators for a prisoner swap with Israel, Palestinian Authority officials here told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. "Syria is playing a very negative role," said one official. "[Hamas leader] Khaled Mashaal, who is based in Damascus, is refusing to approve an Egyptian-brokered deal because the Syrians are inciting him." Another senior PA official told the Post that the Syrians were clearly unhappy with the involvement of the Egyptian government in the negotiations. "The Syrians believe that Egypt is representing the interests of Israel and the US in the region... ' Livni calls for direct talks with Abbas Zajel Youth Exchange Program 9/7/2006 IMEMC & Agencies -- Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, said during a press conference in Haifa that Israel should hold direct talks with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, adding that direct talks will enable Israel “ to know what is going on, what is possible and what's not possible”. The statements of Livni came several days after a statement by the Israeli Prime Minister , Ehud Olmert, saying that he will be willing to meet Abbas “only after the Abducted Israeli soldier in Gaza, Gilad Shalit, is freed”. Israel still rejects any talks with the Hamas-led Palestinian government since it considers Hamas a terrorist organization. Eight ministers of the new government and 29 legislators were abducted by Israel and taken prisoners since the abduction of Shalit. European watchdog calls for clampdown on CIA The Guardian 9/8/2006 UK is urged to take lead in monitoring agents · Scathing attack on Bush, 'the King John of USA' -- The head of Europe's human rights watchdog yesterday called for monitoring of CIA agents operating in Britain and other European countries, after President George Bush's admission that the US had detained terrorist suspects in secret prisons. Terry Davis, secretary general of the Council of Europe, said CIA agents operating in Europe should be subject to the same rules as British agents working for MI5 and MI6. "There is a need to deal with the conduct of allied foreign security services agents active on the territory of a council member state," Terry Davis said. "In the UK there is parliamentary scrutiny of the intelligence services but there is no parliamentary scrutiny of friendly foreign services. The UK should be in the lead on this issue." Army takes one prisoner from Beit Kahil village near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 9/6/2006 Thiab Al Asafra, 41, a resident of Beit Kahil village, near the West Bank city of Hebron, was taken prisoner by the Israeli army on Wednesday morning. Al Asafra was taken to an unknown destination when troops stormed the village searched several houses and ransacked family belongings. Local sources reportred that Al Asafra was released from the Israeli jails two months ago after serving a one-year sentence. [end] Israel: By refusing to free troops Lebanon is violating truce Ha'aretz 9/7/2006 Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said on Wednesday that Hezbollah's continued detention of Israeli soldiers violated the Security Council resolution, and that Lebanon must act to release them unconditionally." UN Security Council Resolution 1701, on which the cease-fire is based, calls unequivocally for an unconditional and immediate release of the soldiers being held hostage," he said." The continued holding of our soldiers is a grave violation of the cease-fire. A continuation of this violation will have consequences." Lebanon said on Wednesday two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah would not be released unless Israel was prepared to discuss a prisoner swap. The unconditional release of the soldiers is called for in the preamble [to] UNSCR 1701]. The same preamble "encourages" the settling of the issue of Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel. Hopes high with the possibility of political prisoner release Palestine News Network 9/6/2006 The frequent news reports regarding a possible prisoners release is giving renewed hope to many Palestinians. Negotiations for an exchange are in the works. The Israeli government is expected to release 800 Palestinian political prisoners, down from the original 1,200, in exchange for the Israeli soldier captured while he invaded the southern Gaza Strip earlier this summer. Times have been so dismal that this news of a mere possibility is raising morale through the roof. Israeli political sources have finally confirmed news reports that they have been denying for days. The reports include details of the terms of the possible agreement. The deal is sponsored by the Egyptian government and includes 800 Palestinians to be released from Israeli jails in three stages. Fateh waits on bated breath for Prime Minister Haniya’s speech Palestine News Network 9/6/2006 Prime Minister Ismail Haniya’s public address is slated for tomorrow and is bringing much anticipation. He is expected to fully cover all of the challenges that plague his government. The Prime Minister will most likely outline his political program, and at its forefront the National Accord (Prisoners) Document. Fateh is hoping that Hamas will work speedily to implement the coalition government. Fateh Political Committee of the Legislative Council Spokesperson, Abdullah Abdullah, is concerned that while in the midst of political, security, economic and administrative crises, “the nation’s position has diminished in international and regional importance. ”Abdullah says that the lesson of the current crisis has made Fateh and other parties wish to rekindle past accomplishments... Palestinian minister of prisoners' affairs speaks out against strike Ma'an News 9/6/2006 Hebron -- Hebron - Ma'an – The Palestinian minister of prisoners' affairs and deputy minister of education, Wasfi Qabha, stated on Wednesday that there are some people who want to politicise the strike, and aim to confuse the Palestinian government. He confirmed that the government supports the employees' demands, "but on the condition of not paralyzing life in Palestine at the barrel of a gun." This was taken as referring to the fact that the weapons of Palestinians must only be raised in the face of the Israeli occupation, rather than being raised at teachers and school headmasters who wanted to open their schools. The minister stated that it was not the Hamas government which is responsible for the absence of salaries. He leveled the blame at the occupation and the United States of America. Bush Admits the CIA Runs Secret Prisons The Guardian 9/7/2006 WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday acknowledged for the first time that the CIA runs secret prisons overseas and said tough interrogation forced "terrorist" leaders to reveal plots to attack the United States and its allies. Bush said 14 suspects - including the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and architects of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole and the U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania - had been turned over to the Defense Department and moved to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for trial." This program has been, and remains, one of the most vital tools in our war against the 'terrorists','' Bush said.... Nearing the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, Bush pressed Congress to quickly pass administration-drafted legislation authorizing the use of military commissions for trials of "terror" suspects. Head of Palestinian presidential security taken prisoner by Israel International Middle East Media Center 9/6/2006 The head of a Palestinian Presidential Security force, 'Force 17', was taken prisoner by Israeli forces Tuesday at an Israeli checkpoint outside the city of Nablus in the West Bank, Palestinian sources reported. General Mahmoud Damra, taken by the Israeli forces to an unknown location, was apparently appointed to the security force in May. According to Israeli sources, prior to his appointment in May, Damra had been in hiding since an Israeli assassination attempt against him in 2001. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed that Damra had been seized, saying only, "I can confirm he has been detained". Force 17 was established by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to protect him on his trips abroad. According to Israeli sources, General Damra has been wanted by Israel for six years... -- See also: Ramallah: IDF nabs Force 17 commander Israel, PA dismiss report on finalized prisoner swap Ha'aretz 9/6/2006 Israeli and Palestinian officials on Tuesday dismissed a report by Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayat indicating that a deal had been reached on the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. Al-Hayat, which is published in London, reported Tuesday that Shalit had been transferred to Egypt as part of an agreement involving Israel's release of 800 Palestinian prisoners. The article said the 800 prisoners would be released in three stages and that Israel had agreed to the deal on condition that none of the prisoners are those "with blood on their hands. " According to the report, Israel stated that it would not release jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. A senior Gaza official involved in negotiations dismissed the report about Egypt and said no agreement had been reached. Israeli prison guards beat editor from Nablus during his release from prison Palestine News Network 9/5/2006 Thirty year old Tayel Tirawi was released from Israeli Mejido Prison after a year. Before he could make his way home to Balata Refugee Camp in eastern Nablus, prison guards severely beat his chest with rifle butts, causing bruising and fear of broken ribs. The Israeli guards beat him under the pretext that he was talking to his lawyer, Faris Abu Hassan, while the lawyer was completing the paperwork for Tirawi’s release. This is not the first time that Israeli prison guards beat Terawi. He has been arrested several times and was treated harshly. This time, he said, was particularly brutal. Tirawi told his lawyer about the current prison conditions: there are some 1,400 Palestinian political prisoners in 10 sections of Mejido, including 34 Palestinian Authority ministers and Legislative Council deputies. Gilad Shalit is in Egypt Ma'an News 9/5/2006 Bethlehem - Ma'an – The Israeli soldier captured in June by Palestinian resistance fighters, Gilad Shalit, is believed to now be in Egypt as the last details of a prisoner exchange deal are drawn up. A Palestinian source has reported that Gilad Shalit is in Egypt pending completion of a deal between Israelis and Palestinians to release prisoners. The source also confirmed that the leader of the Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades, Mohammad Ad Daif, is also in Egypt receiving medical treatment after being injured during an Israeli raid on a house in Gaza where he was holding a meeting with the Brigades' leadership in July. According to the London-based newspaper 'Al Hayat', the source added that Hamas has now agreed to Egyptian mediation on this matter. The captured Israeli soldier will be held in Egypt as a deposit pending release of Palestinian prisoners, Abbas reveals Ma'an News 9/5/2006 Bethlehem - Ma'an: A prisoners' exchange deal has been reached in which Egypt will receive the captured Israeli soldier as a deposit until a number of Palestinian prisoners are released, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the Bahraini daily 'Akhbar Al Khaleej'. However, the spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, Abu Mujahid, has strongly denied such media reports. Abu Mujahid told Ma'an in an exclusive interview that "the military wings are sticking to a synchronised exchange; any deal involving promises and guarantees is refused by the factions". Abu Mujahid said, "These reports … are untrue stories and are far from precise or truthful". He asserted that the terms and conditions of the deal will be assigned by the factions, and not by the Israelis. Detained Palestinian politicians urge all public sector employees to demonstrate against the parties "behind the siege" Ma'an News 9/5/2006 Ramallah - Ma'an – A number of the detained Palestinian parliamentarians have called for the acceleration of the formation of a Palestinian national unity government and have urged the public sector employees to strike against those who are behind the siege, not the Hamas-led government. Two Palestinian lawyers were able to visit the Palestinian minister of finance, Dr. Omar Abdur-Razeq, and various members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), who are being held in Megiddo prison in Israel. The politicians, all from the Hamas party, have been held prisoner in Israel since the Israeli army carried out a major kidnapping operation in the occupied West Bank at the end of June 2006.... The PLC members expressed their hopes that a national unity government will be formed as soon as possible so that the Palestinian factions can unite behind it. US State Dept. Official Alberto Fernandez vs. Arab American Journalist Ramzy Baroud Islam Online.net 8/28/2006 Debate: US Policies in the Middle East -- Question How does the current US administration envision the Middle East in the next 10 years? And what mechanisms will it use to implement this vision?.. Answer: Alberto Fernandez: We see the region as undergoing tremendous pressure. There are huge demographic, political and social issues that need to be addressed. America must help but the real work is going to be done by the people of the region. They are doing this. Throughout the region, people are working for positive change, sacrifing themselves, going to prison, speaking out - not for America but for themselves. In Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria.... Ramzy Baroud: According to the neoconservative doctrines which effectively control US foreign policies in the Middle East, the region’s future can only be secured when regime changes take place in Iran and Syria, and when Israel’s minor foes are eliminated... Israel, Hamas deny reports of prisoner swap breakthrough Ha'aretz 9/5/2006 Reports of a breakthrough in talks on the release of kidnapped soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit are exaggerated and overly optimistic, Israeli political and security sources said yesterday. The sources denied reports that Israel had given Hamas, via Egypt, a detailed proposal for releasing Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit. "There will be no proposal before we have received reliable information on Shalit's fate and know whether he is alive. None of the negotiators has seen him to this day. We are far from a breakthrough, even a small one," said one source. The sources added that Israel is not negotiating directly with Hamas, which was responsible for Shalit's abduction. Hamas also released a statement yesterday denying reports that Israel had presented it with a new proposal through Egypt. Strikes creating more uncertainty in Palestinian students’ already uncertain lives Palestine News Network 9/4/2006 Palestinians are so enmeshed in politics that it is akin to daily bread. The two are inseparable as there is no choice under occupation and now in the face of strikes. The affects are felt by the children whose lives are politicized from birth. Many parents are political prisoners or were killed, others are unemployed or underemployed, opportunities are restricted by closures and checkpoints, and now the teachers are on strike. Eighth grade student, Mohammad Issa, told PNN, “I know the reason for the strike. It is because the salaries have been stopped, so I sit in the house instead of sitting on the desks. I hope that God will solve this problem of the teachers and the salaries. It has put us in a real dilemma. ” Israeli army leaves Khaza'a village, east of Khan Younis, after inflicting massive damage International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 The Israeli army left Khaza'a village east of Khan Younis in the Gaza strip after having destroyed a good portion of the village land, Monday afternoon. Army bulldozers uprooted farmlands and olive orchards that belong to the residents of the village. According to local sources, troops already destroyed scores of Dunams of farming land and uprooted more than 100 olive trees. The troops invaded the village in the morning and took one prisoner, identified as Eid Qadih, a 60-year old farmer. [end] Four injured by Israeli gunfire in Qabatia village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 Four residents were injured during the Israeli army invasion of the village of Qabatia, near the West Bank city of Jenin, on Monday. The injured were identified as Ahmad Nazal, 18, Mohamed Abu Al Rab, Mohamed Kameel, and Rabi'e Turkman. All were moved to a nearby hospital in the city, local sources reported. In the early morning hours, troops stormed the village, took four prisoners and injured Rabi'e, as the day continued, the soldiers injured another three, local sources said. [end] Army invades Nablus, takes at least four prisoners International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus, the Balata and Al Ein refugee camps in the city on Monday morning, and took four prisoners. Local sources reported that scores of army vehicles stormed the city and the two refugee camps, and fired rounds of live ammunition at the residents' houses. In Al Ein refugee camp, troops searched several houses and took Amer Khalifa prisoner. In Nablus, troops attacked residents' houses and ransacked them before taking Wajdi E'lawi, 26, Jaber Kalbonah, 26, and Lo'ai Barakat, 21, to unknown locations, eyewitnesses reported. In Balata refugee camp, troops also searched residents houses and ransacked them but no arrests were made there, local sources added. [end] Army injures one resident and takes four prisoners from Qabatia village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 Israeli forces invaded the village of Qabatia south of the West Bank city of Jenin, injured one resident and took four prisoners including three brothers. More than 15 Israeli armored vehicles stormed Qabatia and opened fire at residents and houses injuring Rab'e Turkman, 22, in his abdomen, he was moved to a near by hospital in Jenin city, medical sources reported. Soldiers conducted wide scale search campaign to the residents' houses and took four prisoners, among them three brother, they were identified as; Anass Assaf, his two brothers Mo'men and Hisham, and Tha'er Abu Al Rob, all were taken to unknown locations. The military operation is still ongoing in the village, eyewitnesses reported. [end] Army takes two prisoners from Tal village near Nablus International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 Yousif Selwadi, 22, and Hitham Ramadan, 36, were taken prisoners when the Israeli army invaded Tal village, south of the West Bank city of Nablus on Monday morning. Troops and army vehicles invaded the village, surrounded the houses of Selwadi and Ramadan, searched them and then took the two to unknown locations, Omer Ishtawi, the head of the village council reported. Ishtawi added that in the house of Selwadi family troops destroyed the floor of the house and ransacked the furniture. [end] Father, his five sons, taken prisoners in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 9/3/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded on Sunday at dawn the Al Fawwar refugee camp, near Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank, and arrested a father and his five sons after surrounding their home, Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported. The agency stated that a large military force surrounded the house of Khalil Hussein Hdeib, located at the northern entrance of Al Fawwar refugee camp, broke into it, searched it for three hours and arrested him and his five sons. Hdeib, 55, was taken prisoner along with his sons Ziad, 35, member of the Palestinian police, Ashraf, 25, Ishaq, 22, Shadi, 26, and Mahmoud, 33. Fatima Hdeib, the wife of Khalil, said that soldiers surrounded her house, broke into and ransacked it before taken her husband and five of her sons prisoners. Israel: Annan's help not needed in prisoner swap Ha'aretz 9/5/2006 Israel has asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to assist in securing the release of two Israeli soldiers seized by Hezbollah, and not to mediate negotiations to free them, officials said on Monday. Annan said on Monday he would appoint a secret envoy to work for the release of the soldiers. "A mediator is not needed," a government official said. "The UN resolution determines that the soldiers will be released unconditionally. The UN Secretary-General will assist and not mediate. "Annan on Monday said that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to begin negotiations moderated by the UN on a prisoner exchange that would see the release of two Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted in July. Annan agreed to mediate in efforts for the release of the soldiers after requests from both Hezbollah and Israel, Annan's spokesman [said]... Jackson asks Hezbollah for proof of life Yahoo! News Middle East 9/4/2006 BEIRUT, Lebanon - U.S. civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson met Monday with Hezbollah officials in Lebanon and called on them to show proof that two captured Israeli soldiers are still alive. Jackson spoke with the officials, who told him the soldiers were alive, in the hopes of jump-starting negotiations between Hezbollah and Israel. He said he feared the soldiers' continued detention was "becoming a magnet to attract a second round" of war. Jackson had been hoping for a response from Hezbollah later the same day, possibly with video evidence, but by Monday night he had made no announcement of a reply.... Hezbollah has said the two captive Israeli soldiers can be released only through a prisoner exchange with Israel. Dahlan heads to Egypt for talks on possible Prisoner swap deal International Middle East Media Center 9/4/2006 Head of Security Committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council, and a senior Fateh leader, Mohammad Dahlan, headed to Egypt for talks on a possible prisoners swap deal with Israel. Dahlan intends to hold talks with several Egyptian security officials for several days in an attempt to broker a deal for prisoners swap that would be implemented in three phases. The deal involves releasing Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was abducted by Palestinian resistance fighters on June 25 after resistance fighters attacked an Israeli military bases, two soldiers and two fighters were killed in the attack. The Israeli radio reported that a number of Palestinian detainees will be released in three phases; first 300 detainees will be released before Al Fitir Muslim feast, while the other detainees will be release in two stages before the end of the year. -- See also: Israel, Hamas deny reports of prisoner swap breakthrough Shin Bet seeks geeks in first-ever public recruiting drive Ha'aretz 9/5/2006 In its first-ever public recruiting drive, being launched on Tuesday, the Shin Bet security service is calling on high-tech geeks to join the anti-terror battle. "If you thought the only way to fight terror was with Arabic, think again," says the campaign's slogan. Shin Bet sources admit the ad campaign is also intended to change the organization's image. For many, the first thing that springs to mind at the mention of Shin Bet is torture. The people in the service are tired of that. They want the Shin Bet to be associated with advanced technology and software development. "We want the public to know other sides [of the service], not only the investigations and dark rooms," a Shin Bet source said on Monday. The families of Palestinian prisoners express their hopes, fears and doubts Ma'an News 9/4/2006 Gaza -- The hopes of the Palestinian prisoners' families were renewed after they heard a deal had been reached to exchange the captured Israeli soldier with Palestinian prisoners. But if the deal does not include the release of Palestinian prisoners, they will consider this deal to be a failure. During the prisoners' families' weekly demonstration outside the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City on Monday, the families and relatives expressed their doubt about Israel's intentions and questioned the honesty of Israel's intentions. The mother of Ali Al Haj, who is sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment, called on the Palestinian factions that captured the Israeli soldier to concentrate on the prisoners who have spent long years in Israeli jails and to refuse to release the prisoners whose sentences are almost complete. -- See also: Israel, Hamas deny reports of prisoner swap breakthrough Knesset committee data reveals courts soft on human trafficking Ha'aretz 9/3/2006 A Knesset committee on Sunday published data showing courts had been soft on human trafficking in 2005. According to the committee, sentences handed out to people convicted of human trafficking were considerably lower than the maximum permitted. By law, the courts are allowed to fine people found guilty of trafficking up to NIS 228,000. In 2005, however, only 23 out of 73 people found guilty of such violations were fined. Furthermore, the average fine imposed upon those found guilty was NIS 17,400 - only 7. 6 percent of the maximum allowed by law. Jail sentences handed out by the courts were also very low. The average prison term for one found guilty of human trafficking was four years - 16 years lower than the maximum. Report criticises US terror policy AlJazeera 9/4/2006 Sixty four per cent of cases have not been prosecuted -- Only a quarter of terrorism suspects held by US authorities in the five years since the September 11 attacks have been tried. Figures released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University on Sunday indicate that 6,472 individuals have been referred to prosecutors on charges related to terrorism by the FBI and other authorities. Yet only a small number of these ever had their day in court with 64% of cases deemed not worth prosecuting and another nine percent either dismissed by judges or found not guilty. Of the 27% found guilty only 14 individuals received prison sentences of 20 years or longer, with 67 receiving between five and 20 years. Overall, of the 1,329 individuals who were sentenced, 704 received no prison time at all... UN wins Syrian backing for Lebanon resolution YNet News 9/1/2006 Following Damascus meeting, UN Secretary-General Annan says Syria promised to 'take all necessary measures' to implement arms embargo on Hizbullah. Syrian President Assad says he supports release of three IDF troops in exchange for Syrian prisoners jailed in Israel -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that Syria has promised to "take all necessary measures" to implement an arms embargo on Hizbullah. Syria will increase its patrols along the Lebanon -Syria border, and establish joint patrols with the Lebanese army "when possible," Annan said after meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. The UN resolution that halted fighting between Israel and Hizbullah calls for an arms embargo on the guerrilla group, and for Lebanon to "secure its borders and other entry points. " Political prisoners preparing hunger strike in protest of Israeli prison conditions in West Bank Palestine News Network 9/2/2006 Political prisoners in Israeli Salem Prison are planning a major hunger strike in protest of what they desribed as difficult and harsh conditions. Israeli forces occupying western Jenin patrol a military area that includes a checkpoint, court and the prison. The Palestinians inside held a one day strike as a threat of more yet to come if the prison administration does not respond to their "just and legitimate” demands. A letter from political prisoners stated that at least 35 Palestinians are detained in inhumane conditions, deprived of their most basic rights and treated in a harsh and provocative manner. The political prisoners are not allowed to bathe regularly, are not given proper medical treatment, and receive inadequate amounts of food. Report: Israel negotiating for Shalit Jerusalem Post 9/1/2006 An Israeli security delegation was negotiating the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit via Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Friday, Saudi Arabian newspaper Ukha'az reported. Egyptian officials have told their Israeli counterparts in recent days that in exchange for the release of 500 Palestinian female and juvenile prisoners, the kidnappers of Cpl. Gilad Shalit would be willing to release the IDF soldier to Egyptian custody, The Jerusalem Post has learned. Two officers from Egyptian intelligence are currently stationed in the Gaza Strip and are said to be in touch with the actual kidnappers, who have passed on to them their demands. Following the release of the first 500 prisoners and Shalit, the kidnappers are also demanding the release of an additional 500 Hamas members being held in Israeli prisons. Report: Israel discusses freeing 1,000 Palestinians in Shalit swap Ha'aretz 9/1/2006 An Israeli delegation is visiting Egypt to discuss a proposed deal for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces soldier abducted by Hamas on June 25, a Saudi Arabian newspaper reported Friday. The deal involves Hamas' release of Shalit in exchange for Israel's release of about 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, according to a senior Egyptian source quoted by the newspaper, Okaz. The paper said Egypt would help carry out the swap. According to the proposed deal, the Palestinian prisoners will be freed in three phases, with the first phase beginning three days after Shalit's release, the newspaper reported. The first 350 prisoners freed will be those facing light jail terms, the second batch of 350 will be facing medium-length terms, and the final batch - also of 350 - will be facing extended prison sentences... Israel to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners but not the kidnapped politicians Ma'an News 9/1/2006 Bethlehem -- Israel is considering releasing 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the one Israeli soldier captured in Gaza at the end of June, the Saudi newspaper 'Okaz' revealed on Friday. The imprisoned Palestinian politicians are not expected to be included in this deal. The Saudi newspaper reported that an Israeli security delegation will visit Cairo on Friday to discuss a possible prisoner exchange deal with their Egyptian counterparts. The paper reports that the Israelis and the Egyptians are trying to reach a four-stage deal to exchange 1,000 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons for the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. According to the paper, Shalit will be released first. After three days, Israel will release 350 Palestinian short-term prisoners. On Bail, Jahanbegloo Tells US to Let Iranians Be Inter Press Service 9/1/2006 TEHRAN, Sep 1 (IPS) - One of Iran's best-known intellectuals Ramin Jahanbegloo, who was released on bail this week after spending four months in prison on charges of compromising national security, has said it would be best for the United States and its institutions to avoid contacting prominent Iranians. Jahanbegloo told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) in an interview on Tuesday, barely hours after his release from Tehran's notorious Evin prison, that contacting Iranians could result in putting them in danger of acting against their country's security. He accepted that this may have happened to him. Arrested on his way back from a seminar in India at Tehran airport on Apr. 25, Jahanbegloo is now out on ‘heavy' bail. CIA used 'micro nuclear' bomb in Bali: Bashir Sydney Morning Herald 8/29/2006 Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir claims America's top spy agency was involved in the devastating 2002 Bali bombings. Bashir, who was convicted and imprisoned for having prior knowledge of the attacks which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, is also appealing for the lives of three convicted bombers to be spared. Bashir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), was released from prison in June after serving nearly two years. Amrozi, Ali Ghufron - also known as Mukhlas - and Imam Samudra are awaiting execution for their part in the plot. In an interview tonight on ABC television's Foreign Correspondent, Bashir claims the device that killed most people in the Bali attack was a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "micro-nuclear" bomb". Turki Blames Anti-Muslim Sentiment in US Arab News 9/2/2006 WASHINGTON/JEDDAH — Homaidan Al-Turki, a Saudi citizen who was sentenced Thursday to 20 years-to-life in prison in a Colorado court for sexually assaulting his Indonesian housekeeper and keeping her as a virtual slave for four years, has denied wrongdoing and blamed anti-Muslim sentiment in America for his long sentence. Meanwhile, his family and friends told Arab News yesterday that Turki is being persecuted for being a Muslim and was threatened by the FBI after being interrogated numerous times after the 9/11 attacks. Turki was convicted on June 30 of 12 felony counts of unlawful sexual contact with use of force and two misdemeanors: false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.... The defense is appealing the verdict and Turki has changed lawyers. |
Human Rights Watch still denying Lebanon the right to defend itself By Jonathan Cook, Electronic Lebanon 9/25/2006 At the end of two weeks during which Israel's airforce and artillery turned Lebanon's basic civilian infrastructure into dust and rubble with massive shelling, bunker bombs, and internationally-banned weapons, an Israeli media event paraded a handful of Lebanese rifles as 'evidence' of the depravity of their adversary. Yiron, Israel, 26 July 2006. (MaanImages/Inbal Rose) In a recent article on this site criticising Human Rights Watch for singling out Hizbullah rather than Israel for harsher condemnation of its military actions during the Lebanon war, I made sure to quote the organisation fairly and accurately before seeking to refute its arguments. Unfortunately, in a response published on Counterpunch by HRW's Middle East policy director, Sarah Leah Whitson, did not return the favour. Possibly realising that her case was weak, she decided to paraphrase my argument instead, misrepresenting it, and only then try to rebut it. According to Whitson, I claim to know that Hizbullah was trying to hit military rather than civilian targets in Israel during this summer's war because on several occasions its rockets actually did strike military targets. If only, for her sake, that were my argument. As she points out, it is easy to discredit such reasoning: if Hizbullah's rockets were entirely random, they might still have hit an Israeli military site or two by chance. By misrepresenting my position, Whitson benefits in two ways. First, she is able to suggest that I am an apologist, naive or mischievious, for Hizbullah's war crimes. I am either a dupe or a dissembler. And second, she enjoys the satisfaction of asserting that she and her organisation are facing down the extremists on both sides: apologists for Hizbullah's war crimes like me on the one hand, and the supporters of pre-emptive wars and torture like Alan Dershowitz on the other. Whitson can then smugly claim to be occupying the sensible centre. If this is how one of the directors of HRW distorts my arguments and evidence when I carefully set out my case in black and white on the page, one has to wonder how faithfully she and her organisation sift the evidence in the far trickier cases relating to human rights, where things are rarely so black and white.
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Adalah Adalah (Justice in Arabic) is the first non-profit, non-sectarian Palestinian-run legal center in Israel. The main goal of Adalah’s work is to achieve equal rights and minority rights protections for Palestinian citizens of Israel. Addameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Organization: Addameer (conscience) is a Palestinian non-governmental, civil institution which focuses on human rights issues. Supports Palestinian prisoners, advocates for rights of political prisoners, works to end torture. Amnesty International Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. AI’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Amnesty International USA Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. AI’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Arab Association for Human Rights - HRA The HRA was founded in 1988 to promote and protect the political, civil, economic, and cultural rights of the Palestinian Arab minority in Israel and to further the domestic implementation of international human rights principles. It is an independent non-governmental organisation registered in Israel. Association for Civil Rights in Israel - ACRI In Hebrew - The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) was founded in 1972 as a non-political and independent body, with the goal of protecting human and civil rights in Israel and in the territories under Israeli control. B’tselem The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. It endeavors to document and educate the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, combat the phenomenon of denial prevalent among the Israeli public, and help create a human rights culture in Israel. Boycott Israeli Medical Association UK: The Medical Committee for Boycott of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) will document the systematic torture of Palestinian people by agents of Israel. It will publicise the practice in order to bring world opinion to bear on Israel. And it will challenge the Israeli Medical Association which has repeatedly failed to issue advice to doctors who are involved in any way with torture. Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. Palestinian Center for Human Rights The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is an independent legal body based in Gaza City dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law, and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Palestinian Prisoners Society The Palestinian Prisoner Society is a social and human institution and its members are prisoners inside prisons and released prisoners. Membership is open to every Palestinian prisoner inside and outside prisons who meets the conditions of membership. Physicians for Human Rights - Israel Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHR-Israel) was established in 1988 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, dedicated to promoting and protecting the medical human rights of all residents of Israel and the Occupied Territories. Public Committee Against Torture in Israel - PCATI An independent human rights organization founded that monitors the implementation conditions in detention centers and continues the struggle against the use of torture in interrogation in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine The main collection contains the texts of current and historical United Nations material concerning the question of Palestine and other issues related to the Middle East situation and the search for peace. World Organisation Against Torture OMCT is today the largest international coalition of NGOs fighting against torture,summary executions, forced disappearances and all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in order to preserve Human Rights. It has at its disposal a network, SOS Torture, consisting of some 240 non-governmental organisations which act as sources of information. |
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