Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel
Prisoners Archive - December 2009
Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others
Prisoners Archive - December 2009
Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees by Israel and Others
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News Sa’adat urges unity in message from prison 12/30/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinians can restore national unity in 2010, the imprisoned leader of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Sa'adat in a Christmas and New Year message issued from his Israeli jail cell. "The new year, 2010, can be a year to restore the unity of our Palestinian people, break the siege on our heroic people in Gaza, and bring the occupation war criminals to trial before international courts," said the statement posted on the PFLP's website. The PFLP said Sa'adat met with his attorney on Monday for the first time in several months. The statement said the lawyer, from the prisoners' rights group Addameer, said Sa'adat "has high morale and great confidence in the ability of our people to end the internal national crisis. " In his message, Sa'adat said the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) must be completely "rebuilt on a democratic basis. . . " Israel detains four Palestinians overnight 12/30/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it detained four Palestinians during overnight operations in the West Bank. The detainees were "taken for questioning" the military said. The detainees were not immediately identified. [end] Israel moves two life-term prisoners to Nafha isolation cells 12/30/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli prison administration transferred two Palestinians in the Hedraim facility to the Nafha Desert Prison where they are being held in isolation cells, a Hamas committee announced on Thursday. Jihad Yaghmour from Jerusalem and Muhammad Dakhan from the An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza had already been in isolation for three months prior to the move, the committee charged with monitoring detainees said. The committee said Jihad was born in Jerusalem in 1967, studied engineering in Turkey and was detained on 13 October 1994. He was detained for his alleged role in abduction of Israeli soldier Nachshon Vaksman, who was killed during an Israeli rescue attempt along with one other soldier. Jihad has developed lung problems and eye infections during his time in solitary confinement and has not received treatment, according to Hamas officials. Hamas: Still weighing Israeli prisoner offer 12/30/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Hamas said on Wednesday it still needs more time to consider Israel's latest response in talks toward a proposed prisoner exchange. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum in Gaza told Ma'an, "Hamas is still holding internal consultations among its leaders concerning the Israeli response " it is too early to talk about concluding these consultations or releasing any outcomes. ""If these consultations are concluded, Hamas will deliver its response to the German mediator," he said. Israel communicated its offer through the mediator last week. Hamas' senior leadership has been meeting in Damascus to discuss the proposal, which reportedly calls for certain prisoners to be exiled rather than released to the West Bank. Hamas is demanding the release of some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return for that of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by fighters in Gaza since 2006. [uruknet.info] Blogging beneath the bombs: An interview with Sharyn Lock Uruknet December 30, 2009 - Israel has many weapons that it deploys against the Palestinian national movement and one of them is a powerful public relations machine. For years, it has allowed Israel to extend illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, demolish homes, erode the rights of Palestinians and imprison and torture them, all in the name of democracy and... ’I will pay the price for this testimony when I return’ 12/28/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - An estimated 300 Palestinians were killed in the first 48 hours of Israel's winter assault on the Gaza Strip, which entered its second day one year ago today. With an increased focus on Rafah, Israeli warplanes bombarded around 100 more targets on 28 December 2008, leaving about 70 more Palestinians dead, and raising the child death toll to 22 and the civilian toll to 60, including nine women. Israeli jets struck Islamic University in Gaza City, the offices of de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, and the Saraya prison, ironically killing four members of Hamas' domestic rival Fatah, as well as three mosques and 11 homes and apartments. Fires engulfed Rafah after Israeli missiles hit underground fuel pipelines in some 40 sorties on the Strip's tunnel network. Fleeing the flames, terrified residents of Gaza's south attempted by the hundreds to escape to Egypt, but were prevented from leaving by Egyptian security forces. Palestinian detained after knife found at checkpoint 12/29/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israeli border police detained a Palestinian after discovering a 7 cm (about 2. 7 inch) knife in their car at a military checkpoint near Bethlehem on Monday. The arrest reportedly took place at the "Container" checkpoint northeast of Bethlehem, on the road to Ramallah. The knife was confiscated. Israeli soldiers detained nine Palestinians during raids in the West Bank overnight, the military said earlier on Monday. [end] Nine detained in Israeli night raids 12/28/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained nine "wanted" Palestinians during overnight operations in the West Bank, the military said. A military official said two people were arrested in Qalandiya south of Ramallah, one in Biddu also south of Ramallah, two in Surif near Hebron, and four in Beit Awwa southwest of Hebron. [end] Swap deal: Identity of German middleman revealed 12/28/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - A German newspaper revealed last week the identity of the German intermediary who is brokering the secret prisoner swap negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The German newspaper Tagesspiegel revealed that the mediator is Gerhard Conrad, a renowned expert on the Arab world in the German intelligence service BND. Since early summer, the paper reported, Conrad has been shuttling between Jerusalem, Gaza, and Cairo, in an effort to arrange an exchange of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return for Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian fighters who tunneled into Israel in June 2006. Little is known about Conrad, except that he was reported to be the brokered the successful 2008 prisoner exchange between Israel and Hizbullah. Israel released five live prisoners and around 200 bodies in return for the remains of two soldiers captured at the onset of the 2006 war with the Lebanese group. Israel kidnaps 8 Palestinians in Hebron 28 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 28, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - The Israeli occupation forces kidnapped on Monday morning 8 Palestinians in Hebron, West Bank. Local media sources clarified that Israeli occupation forces raided different areas in Hebron. After they had invaded the citizens' houses, they arrested number of them and transferred them to investigation centers. The detainees are children under 18 years... Demonstrators to protest closure of Beituniya military checkpoint in solidarity with families of Palestinian political prisoners and in support of lawyers’ strike 12/29/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - The Popular Struggle Coordination Committee and the Palestinian Society Prisoners' Club called for a demonstration on Tuesday, 29 December 2009, to protest the closure of the Beituniya checkpoint, the only access route for many families and lawyers of prisoners held at Ofer military prison. All visitors must now go through the Qalandiya checkpoint, which however requires a permit to enter Israel. These permits are frequently denied to family members of political prisoners as well as their lawyers. Jad Qudamani, director of the legal department of the Palestinian Society Prisoners' Club, said: "Our lawyers, for many of whom the Beituniya checkpoint provides the only access route to their clients, were informed by Israeli military about its closure for "security reasons' this Sunday. To protest this unlawful act, the lawyers and families of Palestinians held at Ofer. . . . Demonstration demanding the release of Palestinian political prisoners to be held in Nablus on Tuesday, 29 December 12/28/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - A demonstration will be held in Nablus on Tuesday 29 December 2009 to demand the release of all Palestinian prisoners. Almost 8,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons. Among them are grassroots activists Jamal Juma' and Mohammad Othman from the Stop the Wall Campaign, Adeeb Abu Rahmah and Abdallah Abu Rahmah from the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements and Wa'el Al Faqeeh from the Tanweer Cultural Centre in Nablus, imprisoned during a recent wave of arrests conducted by the Israeli military targeting the non-violent popular resistance leaders. Demonstrators will gather outside of the Red Crescent Building at 11am and demand the release of Wa'el al Faqeeh, renowned throughout the Nablus region for his tireless campaigning and non-violent action against the Israeli occupation. Sources: Hamas likely to reject Israeli offer on Shalit YNet News 28 Dec 2009 - Palestinians familiar with swap talks say Islamist group to tell German mediator it does not accept demand to deport some freed prisoners, adding that timing also not ideal for Islamist group Prisoner Abu Al-Heija slams Abbas’s militias for kidnapping his wife and son PIC 28 Dec 2009 - Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Jamal Abu Al-Heija strongly denounced Mahmoud Abbas’s militias for summoning his wife for interrogation and kidnapping his son Abdelsalam. Gaza Freedom Marchers: 38 detained by Egypt 12/27/2009 - London - Ma'an - Egyptian security forces detained 38 participants of the Gaza Freedom March from a hotel in Al-Arish on Sunday at noon, according to a statement issued by the event's organizers. "Egyptian security forces detained a group of 30 internationals in their hotel in Al-Arish and another group of eight at the bus station. They also broke up a memorial action commemorating the Cast Lead massacre at the Kasr An-Nil Bridge," the statement asserted. The Freedom March plans to bring more than 1,300 international protesters to Gaza this week to denounce the blockade of the Palestinian territory. The detainees include Spanish, French, British, American and Japanese nationals. Another group of eight people, including American, British, Spanish, Japanese and Greek citizens, were detained at Al-Arish bus station in the afternoon of 27 December, the organizers said. Israel releases Hamas lawmaker 12/27/2009 - Hebron- Ma'an - Israel released on Sunday a Hamas-affiliated member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) who was originally arrested in 2006. Lawmaker Muhammad At-Tal was first detained by the Israeli military in June 2006 following the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by fighters from Gaza. At-Tal was seized by Israeli soldiers in his hometown of Adh-Dhahariya, south of the West Bank city of Hebron. Eight government ministers and 20 members of parliament were taken the same night. Hamas is now negotiating with Israel a potential prisoner exchange that would secure Shalit's release along with that of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. [end] Netanyahu: Prisoner deal not close 12/27/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his negotiators were still a long way from reaching a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. "If a deal does come to fruition, I will bring it to the government for a debate and approval. However, at this stage we are not close to a deal," he said during a meeting with members of his Likud party according to Israel's Haaretz newspaper. He also drew a link between the prisoner deal and the killing of three Palestinian men in Nablus on Saturday. Netanyahu said the men had recently been released from prison. Israel alleges that the three were behind the death of a settler on Thursday. Under the terms of a proposed prisoner exchange, Israel would release approximately 1,000 Palestinians in return for the release of a soldier held captive by Palestinian fighters in Gaza. PRC: We’ll hold Shalit until demands met 12/27/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) vowed on Sunday to keep Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captive until Israel meets Palestinian demands. The PRC is one of the factions that have been holding Shalit since 2006. The groups, led by Hamas, are demanding the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his freedom. The group said in a statement issued on the anniversary of Israel's war on Gaza, "The Palestinians will stay and will not bow and will gain triumph. ""These sacrifices are the price to be paid for triumph and freedom," it added. The group also denounced a steel wall Egypt is building underneath the border with the Gaza Strip in a bid to cut off underground smuggling tunnels. "The metal wall Egypt is building funded by US and planned by Israel is an assault on the life of the Palestinians in Gaza," the group said. IOF soldiers detain two young men, beat up a third PIC 27 Dec 2009 - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday detained two Palestinian young men in Beit Ummar village, Al-Khalil district, and beat up a third in Nuba village in the same district. Prisoners’ families’ convoy held up in West Bank 12/25/2009 - Tulkarem - Ma'an - Armed Israeli settlers held up a convoy of busses carrying Palestinians returning from visiting their relatives in Israeli prisons on Thursday, passengers said. Prisoners' families told Ma'an that settlers stopped the busses at the Ennav military checkpoint east of the city of Tulkarem. The families were returning from Israel's Shata and Gilboa prisons. The International Committee of the Red Cross organizes busses for Palestinians to visit their jailed relatives. The incident took place the same day as the fatal shooting of an Israeli settler near the nearby settlement of Save Shomron. A spokesman for Israel's Civil Administration, the branch of the Defense Ministry that governs much of the West Bank, said that soldiers, not settlers, had halted the convoy. "As soon as we in the Civil Administration were made aware of this issue we began working. . . Israeli forces detain 3 in night raids 12/25/2009 - Jenin - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained three Palestinians during raids in the northern West Bank early on Friday, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. Palestinian security officials said Israeli forces invaded the city of Jenin and surroundedthe residence of Majdi Jamil Al-Aqhash, in the eastern neighborhood of the city. Using loudspeakers, the soldiers ordered the house's inhabitants into the street, then searched the house and arrested Al-Aqhash, the sources added. Al-Aqhash's family told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers beat Majdi's father when he protested the way the soldiers were treating his family. The father was treated at a Jenin hospital for moderate injuries, they said. Palestinian residents said that Israeli soldiers detained two men, Ahmad Sawalameh and Muath Al-Issa from Al-Far'a Refugee Camp after raiding their homes. Israeli forces detain Hebron teen 12/25/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli Border Police detained a 17-year-old Palestinian at military checkpoint in the center of the city of Hebron on Thursday for allegedly carrying a sharp tool. The teen was arrested "after arousing their suspicion," according to the Israeli news website Ynet. The teen was handed over to police for interrogation, the report added. The reported incident took place at a checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque. [end] Hamas to make swap decision in 3 days 12/25/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas said on Friday that it will respond within three days to Israel's latest response in talks toward a prisoner swap that would secure the release of a thousand Palestinian prisoners in return for a soldier held in Gaza. A member of Hamas' Political Bureau, Izzat Ar-Resheq said the body would discuss the issue during meetings in Damascus and hand its response to the German mediator within two to three days. Speaking to Qatar-based news network Al-Jazeera, he refused to say whether he was optimistic or pessimistic about the talks. Hamas leaders from Gaza were to travel to Damascus to hold talks with the group's senior leadership about the swap. Earlier this week Israel handed its response to the mediator. Israel reportedly demanded that more than 100 Palestinian prisoners be expelled to Gaza or other countries, rather than returned to their homes in the West Bank. [uruknet.info] Week in review: Christmas in the Palestinian Territories Uruknet December 25, 2009 - As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the town where Jesus was born has become a place of sorrow. Most visitors from overseas stay for less than two hours and most of the revenue from tourism goes to Israel. Bethlehem, home to one of the world's oldest Christian communities is now a virtual prison within which... Stop the deportation of Ryan Olander; American citizen arrested in Sheikh Jarrah 12/25/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 24 December - Ryan Olander is due to be deported by the Israeli state, after being illegally arrested and detained in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, in Occupied East Jerusalem. Please contact the Embassy of the United States in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Minister of Interior, or consider donating towards Ryan's legal costs. Ryan is currently being held at a deportation facility in Ramle, where his request for release has been rejected by the prison judge. His lawyer is working on submitting an appeal to the District Court in Tel Aviv this Sunday, 27 December. Ryan was visiting the al-Kurds in the tent the Palestinian family built in their own backyard, after the recent setter take-over of a section of their house. At 1. 15pm, on Friday 18 December, 6 Israeli police walked into the tent, where Ryan was talking to the family members and drinking tea, and took him for questioning at the Russian Compound police station in west Jerusalem. -- Link: More information about Olander's arrest. . . . Reports: Hamas flexible on prisoner expulsion 12/24/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas is leaning toward accepting Israel's demand to deport more than 100 prisoners in an exchange deal that would secure the release of a captured soldier, news reports said on Thursday. The Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal reported on Wednesday that Hamas would allow 123 prisoners to be deported in an exchange that would also see the release of some 1,000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Israel wants to deport prisoners who were convicted of carrying out or organizing attacks that resulted in the deaths of Israelis. Many of the attacks in question took place in the context of the second Palestinian intifada against the Israeli occupation. The swap deal now hinges on the demand to expel these prisoners either to Gaza or abroad, rather than release them to the West Bank. Senior Hamas officials from the Gaza Strip were expected to travel on Thursday to Damascus. . . IOF Detains a Palestinian from Al-Jalzon Camp 24 Dec 2009 - Ramallah, December 24, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - At today dawn Israeli occupation forces detained Mohammad Al-Wawi, 19, from Al-Jalzon Camp, in north of Ramallah. Mostafa Al-Wawi, the detainee brother, said: "Israeli occupation forces raided our house at 3 a.m. and arrested my brother Mohammad" Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces Israeli raid the West Bank governorates daily. They invade the citizens' houses;... American citizen to be deported following his arrest in Sheikh Jarrah 12/25/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 21 December - Imprisoned American citizen and Minnesota resident Ryan Olander to be deported to the US after being arrested in Sheikh Jarrah, Occupied East Jerusalem, whilst visiting Palestinian family whose house has been taken over by Israeli settlers. Ryan was visiting the al-Kurds in the tent the Palestinian family built in their own backyard, after the recent setter take-over of a section of their house. At 1. 15pm, 6 Israeli police walked into the tent, where Ryan was talking to the family members and drinking tea, and took him for questioning at the Russian Compound police station in west Jerusalem. From the Givon prison in Ramle where Mr. Olander is currently awaiting his deportation hearing he reported that: "On Friday, 18 December, I was placed under arrest illegally. A police officer forcibly removed me from the al-Kurd private residence and proceeded to file a fallacious police report. . . " Palestinian center demands immediate release of Khafsh from PA jail PIC 25 Dec 2009 - The Palestinian center for the defense of prisoners has urged the PA in Ramallah to immediately release Fuad Al-Khafsh, describing his detention as a shame and a real farce. Hamas: Our response to Israeli offer on swap deal after discussion PIC 25 Dec 2009 - Hamas Movement said that it received the Israeli response to the German mediator's proposal on the prisoners' exchange deal and would study the response. Report: Israel's proposal to exile certain prisoners in swap deal is 'acceptable' to Hamas IMEMC 23 Dec 2009 - Wednesday December 23, 2009 - 11:31, According to a report in Israeli media sourced only from anonymous Israeli government sources, the Palestinian government led by the Hamas party may accept a plan by the Israeli government to exile 123 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in prison camps. Analysts: Swap deal hinges on prisoner deportation 12/23/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Hamas is not likely to approve of an Israeli request to deport some prisoners freed in a potential swap deal, political analysts said on Wednesday. A deal where Israel would free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit now hinges on Israel's request to expel approximately 100 senior detainees to Gaza or other countries, instead of releasing them to their homes in the West Bank. Mustafa Sawwaf, editor-in-chief of Gaza's Filastin (Palestine) newspaper, said, "The issue of deportation whether to Gaza or abroad is the only problem in concluding the deal. "Hamas will not agree to deporting a large number of detainees, but they will approve a limited number [of deportations]," he predicted, noting that the decision will be made not just by Hamas but by the prisoners themselves. Bethlehem deportee: Exile is prisoners’ decision 12/23/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Former Fatah fighter Jihad Ja'ara spoke with Ma'an on Wednesday, over the morning's controversy surrounding Israel's demand that some 100 of the Palestinian prisoners in the swap deal must be deported to Gaza or other areas outside Israeli borders. The terms of the deportations would vary according to the prisoner, but none could reside in the West Bank, whose borders Israel controls. Ja'ara, deported to Ireland following the siege of the Nativity Church in 2002, said the fighters trapped inside the church were contacted by both the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and Hamas' spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin. He said both leaders explained the conditions of the end to the siege on the church, and asked that the men decide their course of action. "A prisoner swap deal between Israel and the captors of Shalit will be a notable. . . " Israeli minister: Barghouthi must be freed with or without Shalit 12/23/2009 - Jerusalem - Ma'an - Israel should release imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, with or with out a prisoner exchange deal, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said on Wednesday. "I call to release Marwan Barghouthi not in the deal with Hamas " these are two entirely different issues," he told a news conference in East Jerusalem's American Colony hotel. Ben-Eliezer has called for Barghouthi's release in the past. The Iraqi-born Labor party member declined to speculate about the possibility of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas that could involve the release of a thousand Palestinian prisoners in return for that of captured soldier Gilad Shalit. "Hopefully it will end with good end for both sides," he said of the indirect negotiations with Hamas. Israel seizes 6 Palestinians in night raids 12/23/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli military saidit detained six Palestinians during raids in the West Bank overnight Tuesday. The Palestinians were taken because of their status as "wanted," a Wednesday morning statement said. Those detained were not identified. On Monday night, Israeli soldiers seized nine Palestinians during raids on the West Bank. [end] Israeli court postpones decision on sentence of PLC member 12/23/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - Israel's Salem military court postponed a ruling on the fate of Palestinian lawmaker Jamal Tirawion Wednesday, pushing the next hearing back to 28 December. Tirawi's brother Raed, who attended Wednesday's hearing along with his brother's wife, said the session lasted eight hours. He added that the journey to the court from prison and the hearing were difficult for his brother. A member of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party from Nablus, Jamal Tirawi was arrested in 2007. He was indicted for organizing the bombing of a Tel Aviv café in 2002 which killed an Israeli woman. [end] Hamas: PA arrests three supporters 12/23/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas said on Wednesday Fatah-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces arrested three of its supporters in the Hebron and Ramallah areas over the past two days. In Hebron, PA forces arrested a member of the municipal council of the town of Sa'ir, Hakim Shalalda, and a former prisoner of Israel, Munther Ashur, after summoning them for interrogation, Hamas said. Ashur was recently released after two years in prison. PA security forces also arrested Mus'ab Surur from the village of Ni'lin, west of Ramallah, after summoning him for questioning, Hamas said. In addition, PA forces raided a mosque in the An-Naqqar neighborhood of the city of Qalqiliya and searched it, according to Hamas. No arrests were reported. In an article that appeared last Thursday in the UK daily The Guardian, Palestinian officials were quoted confirming that between 400 and 500 Hamas members are currently held in PA jails. IOF Detains 6 Palestinians 23 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 23, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - The Israeli occupation forces continued their arresting and raiding attacks in West Bank governorates. Today morning, they detained 6 Palestinians. Israeli sources clarified that Israeli occupation forces raided different governorates in West Bank. After they had invaded the citizens' houses, they arrested number of them and transferred them to investigation centers. They... EU official: No talk of deportation yet Jeruslalem Post 23 Dec 2009 - It is "altogether premature" to talk of sending Palestinian prisoners to Europe, official says. Israeli objections threaten to derail Gilad Shalit-for-Hamas prisoner swap The Guardian 22 Dec 2009 - Deal being brokered by German official hinges on which Palestinians convicted of armed attacks would be freed Israel and Hamas were tonight facing serious disagreements that could scupper a long-awaited prisoner exchange likely to see hundreds... Report: Hamas agrees to deport 123 prisoners in Shalit deal YNet News 23 Dec 2009 - Hamas yet to formally respond to Israeli swap offer, but Lebanese daily quotes Palestinian sources as saying prominent prisoners have given their consent to Jerusalem's demand to deport 97 of them to Gaza, 20 to Qatar and the rest to Europe Hamas leaders weigh Israeli draft on prisoner swap Daily Star 23 Dec 2009 A German mediator gave Hamas on Wednesday Israel's response to a proposed swap freeing hundreds of jailed Palestinians for a captured soldier, and the Islamist group said it would need days to review the new draft. Signaling a possible breakthrough, a Hamas official said he expected the group to send a delegation from the Gaza Strip to Damascus by Thursday to meet exiled Hamas leaders. Algerian parties sign a document demanding release of detained PLC members PIC 23 Dec 2009 - Six Algerian parties and parliamentary blocs have signed an official document demanding the immediate release of all Palestinian parliament members held by the Israeli occupation authority. Report: Female Palestinian detainees suffer neglect 12/22/2009 - Salfit - Ma'an - Palestinian women serving time in Israel's prisons are suffering from medical neglect, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said in a report released Monday. The head of the prisoners' society, Qadura Faris, said in a statement that lawyers and workers with the prison discovered 17 female detainees at Israel's Ash-Sharon and Ad-Damon prison facilities were being kept in sub-standard consitions and that all had been denied medical treatment for persisting conditions. The statement identified the case ofWafa Al-Lubs, a female prisoner from the Gaza Strip detained in 2005. The report said she has been kept in an isolated cell for months. Five of the 17 are serving life sentences, while 12 others are being held under administrative detention and remain neither charged or sentenced. Faris called the sanitation at HaSharon prison "disgusting," noting the lack of facilities and bathrooms in need of reconstruction. -- Link: Palestinian Prisoners Society Abbas: I prevented intifada during Gaza war 12/23/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published on Tuesday that he stopped a third Palestinian intifada from occurring during the Israeli offensive against Gaza last winterSpeaking to New York's Wall Street Journal, Abbas also said he would not allow another uprising to take place as long as he stays in office. "I will not allow a new intifada. As long as I'm in office, I will not allow anybody to start a new intifada. Never never. But if I leave, it's no longer my responsibility and I can't make any guarantees. It could happen," he said. "It's not my business to follow up. I promise and I can do. And I already promised and I did during the invasion of Gaza. At that time everybody asked me to go to a third intifada, but I prevented anybody from doing it. "In the interview he also denied reports that the CIA is working closely with PA security forces who torture detainees. Sheikh Raed Salah banned from Jerusalem 12/22/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli military authorities ordered a ban preventing Sheikh Raed Saleh, head of the northern Israel Islamic Movement, from entering Jerusalem for the next three weeks, a statement said. According to the Israeli military, OC Home Front Command, Maj Gen Yair Golan, issued the order, "on the grounds of ensuring the security of the State of Israel and maintaining public peace and order. "The order can also be extended for an additional six months, the statement said. Salah has been targeted by Israeli police and military authorities since 2003 when he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and three years of probation. He is a vocal supporter of efforts to prevent the persecution of Palestinians in Jerusalem, and is an ardent advocate of the protection of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The religious leader was detained during the most recent tension in Jerusalem. . . Israeli forces seize 9 in night raids 12/22/2009 - Qalqiliya - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained nine Palestinians during overnight raids in the West Bank, the military reported on Tuesday. Palestinian eyewitnesses said Israeli forces entered the city of Qalqiliya early on Tuesday and seized Abdullah Abdul Hafez, 27, after searching his house. Abdul Hafez is the director of Ar-Razan car dealership. The soldiers led him to his workplace and searched the building, damaging the interior, witnesses said. A military spokesman said that one person was detained in the town of Anabta, east of Tulkarem, three from Beit Duqqu, southwest of Ramallah, and five from Al-Arrub Refugee Camp, north of Hebron. The other detainees were not immediately identified. The military spokesman said they were arrested because they were "wanted," and were taken for interrogation. Ministry: 110 Palestinians serving over 20 years in Israeli jails 12/22/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - There are now over 110 Palestinians in Israeli jails who have served over 20 years, the de facto government Ministry of Prisoners Affairs announced Monday. Ministry press officer Riyad Al-Ashkar said the addition of Jamal Irqiq from Gaza City's At-Tufah neighborhood, who marked his 20th year on Tuesday, brought the total number up to 110. Irqiq was sentenced to life in prison because of his alleged affiliation with Hamas. The number of detainees who have spent more than 15 years in Israeli prison recently reached 319, while the longest serving prisoner remains Nael Al-Barghouti, who is in his 32nd year of prison time, Al-Ashkar said. [end] Israel hands response to swap talks to mediator 12/23/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - A German mediator was expectedto give Hamas Israel's latest response in negotiations on Tuesday, in continued efforts toward a deal that would see the release of a captured Israel soldier in exchange for a thousand Palestinian prisoners. An anonymous source close to the negotiations told Reuters news agency that Israel had passed its decision to the mediator. The report follows two days of marathon talks by Israel's seven top cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about the prisoner deal. The meetings concluded after midnight on Monday with no formal announcement from the Israeli government. Reports suggest that the ministers were deliberating over whether to accept Hamas' demand for the release of Palestinian fighters allegedly responsible for the deaths of Israelis. Report: Prisoner deal mediator delays Gaza visit 12/23/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - There were conflicting reports on Tuesday about whether a German mediator had arrived in Gaza carrying Israel's response in negotiations toward a prisoner swap. Early reports said the mediator had already arrived. On Tuesday afternoon a Hamas official said the mediator had postponed his visit until Wednesday. Early on Tuesday, Israel handed over response to the latest proposed deal the German mediator. If approved the deal would see a captured Israeli soldier released in exchange for approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli news reports on Tuesday said that in its response, Israel demanded that certain prisoners from the West Bank be expelled to Gaza, or to other countries. The decision followed two days of intensive deliberations by Israel's top cabinet ministers. Meanwhile journalists said dozens of Israeli reporters began the application process for Egyptian visas on Monday amid speculation that a deal was close. Gaza factions to hold talks on prisoner deal 12/23/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - The Palestinian armed groups holding an Israeli soldier captive in Gaza are to hold a meeting to discuss Israel's latest response in negotiations toward a prisoner exchange, a spokesman for the captors said late on Tuesday. Abu Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committees, said the meeting would take place as soon as the groups receive the response from the German mediator in the indirect negotiations. There were conflicting reports on Tuesday as to when the mediator was traveling to Gaza. A source told Reuters news agency that the mediator delayed their visit until Wednesday. A prisoner swap could see the release of about a thousand of the 10,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails in exchange for Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian fighters in 2006. Three groups claimed responsibility for Shalit's capture: Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees, the Army of Islam. Report: Nine key prisoners holding up swap deal 12/22/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - As rumors of a pending prisoner exchange circulate, Israel's Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth published bios of nine Palestinian prisoners it says are the names holding up a swap deal. The nine are: Marwan Al-Barghouthi, Abdallah Al-Barghouthi, Abbas Al-Sayyed, Ahmad Sa'adat, Ibrahim Hamid, Yahia Sanwari, Ahlam Tammimi, Amneh Muna and Qahera Al-Sa'di, are allegedly on the list of 450 names specified by Hamas negotiators for release. The other 550 prisoners under the deal would be up to Israeli discretion. The following is a translated version of the Israeli article: Marwan Al-Barghouthi - Accused of organizing the bombing of a Tel Aviv supermarket, a second in a wedding hall in the city of Hadera, a third in Jerusalem's Madrahov Street in Jerusalem and a fourth targeting a car near Ramallah killing a child and a rabbi. [uruknet.info] Addameer: No peace agreement until political prisoners released Uruknet December 22, 2009 - Palestinian political prisoners must be released, categories of "security detainees" must be cancelled and "political status" must be granted if peace between Israel and the Palestinians is to be achieved. "Reaching the 'No-Peace' Agreement: The Role of Palestinian Prisoner Releases in Permanent Status Negotiations," a briefing paper from Addameer, examines Israel's failure to comply with the... West Bank: IOF Detained 11 Palestinians 22 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 22, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - The Israeli occupation forces detained 11 Palestinians at yesterday night and dawn today, while raiding different governorates in West Bank. Local sources clarified that Israeli occupation forces raided Ramallah, Bethlehem and Tulkarem governorates. After they had invaded the houses, they arrested number of citizens and transferred them to unsown place. The sources... Israel edges towards prisoner swap PNN 22 Dec 2009 - Israel's cabinet has handed its response to a proposed prisoner exchange deal with Hamas to a German mediator, following lengthy debate between ministers. No details of the Israeli response, which could see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners swapped for an Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip, were immediately available on Tuesday. Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier at the centre of the exchange,... Schalit exchange hinges on deal over prisoner deportations Jeruslalem Post 22 Dec 2009 - Channel 1: Israel gave list of 125 Palestinian key security prisoners, terms for release to German mediator, who will meet Hamas reps in Gaza. Shalit deal hinges on Israel's demand to exile 100 prisoners Ha'aretz 22 Dec 2009 - At the center of Israel's demands regarding the deal to free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit is an insistence that between 100 and 130 of the Palestinian prisoners who are to be released in exchange - individuals convicted of direct responsibility for the deaths of Israelis - will be expelled to the Gaza Strip or abroad and barred from returning to the West Bank. ... Israeli objections threaten to derail Gilad Shalit for Hamas prisoner swap The Guardian 22 Dec 2009 - Deal being brokered by German official hinges on which Palestinians convicted of armed attacks would be freed Israel and Hamas were tonight facing serious disagreements that could scupper a long-awaited prisoner exchange likely to see hundreds... Israel will work to free soldier Gilad Shalit but 'not at any price' The Guardian 22 Dec 2009 - Ehud Barak responds to Hamas offer to free Gilad Shalit in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners Israel's defence minister today said his government was doing its utmost to win the release of Gilad Shalit, a... Israel's doctors must allay torture fears | Antony Lerman The Guardian 22 Dec 2009 - Allegations of Israeli doctors colluding in the torture of Palestinians must be investigated One of the disturbing features of the persistent use of torture by many countries in conflict situations around the world is the role... Aluf Benn / Is it easier to divide Jerusalem or free terrorists? Ha'aretz 22 Dec 2009 - What is more important for Israel's security? Bombing a nuclear reactor, or bringing home a single soldier being held prisoner? Going to war, or the future address of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for a prisoner? Setting the borders of the state, or the imprisonment of senior terrorists? ... Israel estimates at least 10 days before Shalit deal finalized YNet News 22 Dec 2009 - Hamas leaders to convene in Damascus after German mediator communicates Israel's latest stance on prisoner exchange; Islamist group figures say it will seriously consider proposal, in part due to heavy pressure from families of Palestinian prisoners Hamas blames Israel for delaying prisoner exchange talks Daily Star 22 Dec 2009 Hamas blamed Israel on Tuesday for stalling efforts to swap hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for a captured soldier after the Jewish state sent a reply to the Islamists' most recent offer. The two sides had appeared to be close to reaching a deal, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding five meetings in less than 48 hours with six top ministers before passing an offer to Hamas via a German mediator. Tadamun: Skin disease spreading among Palestinian prisoners in Askalan PIC 22 Dec 2009 - A skin disease has spread among Palestinian prisoners in one of the wards in the Israeli Askalan jail with no medical treatment accorded by the prison administration, prisoner Abdul Hakim Hanani said. CIA working with Palestinian security agents 21 Dec 2009 - Ramallah, December 21, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - US agency co-operating with Palestinian counterparts who allegedly torture Hamas supporters in West Bank. Palestinian security agents who have been detaining and allegedly torturing supporters of the Islamist organisation Hamas in the West Bank have been working closely with the CIA, the Guardian has learned. Less than a year after Barack Obama signed... Israeli Cabinet Discuss Prisoner Deal 21 Dec 2009 - Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Palestine, December 21, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - Today morning, senior Israeli cabinet ministers convened for the fourth time for discussions on a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, this would free Gilad Shalit after more than three years in captivity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other six ministers met today:... IOF Detain 4 Palestinian Citizens from West Bank 21 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 21, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - The Israeli occupation forces detained 4 citizens from the west Bank governorates at dawn today. Local sources clarified that the Israeli occupation forces raided Ramallah, Jenin and Hebron governorates and arrested a citizen from Ramallah governorate, another from Jenin governorate and two from Beit Ummer village in Hebron governorate. Irsaeli ministers meet over prisoner swap The National 21 Dec 2009 - The prisoner swap would see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released for a captured soldier, Gilad Shalit. Source: Israel hands Shalit deal response to mediator Ha'aretz 21 Dec 2009 - Israel has given a German mediator its response to Hamas demands involving the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the return of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, a source close to the negotiations said on Monday. ... New study unit on pre-state fighters proves controversial Ha'aretz 21 Dec 2009 - The Education Ministry is introducing a study unit on the 12 underground fighters who were hanged or committed suicide in prison during the British Mandate in Palestine. ... Top Israeli ministers meet again on prisoner swap deal Daily Star 22 Dec 2009 Top Israeli ministers gathered for a fourth time in two days on Monday for a crucial meeting on a prisoner swap with Hamas that would see hundreds of Palestinians freed for a captured soldier. The seven senior ministers of Israel's security cabinet convened at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office to debate the conditions of the swap for the Israeli serviceman, held in the Gaza Strip for more than three years. Preventive security officer: CIA agents copy our apparatus's computer files PIC 22 Dec 2009 - A preventive security officer in Ramallah has said that CIA agents periodically copy all files in his apparatus's computers that contain data on detainees and their confessions. Sandstorm devastates Negev prison inmates 12/19/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - A ferocious sandstorm hit Israel's Negev desert prison this week, blasting the tent-compounds with raging winds and debris for three days, a prisoners society reported Saturday. The story caused severe losses at the camp, destroying many of the personal possessions of Palestinian prisoners and causing harsh living conditions, particularly those sentenced to live in tents in the outdoor compounds. The Higher Committee of the Media department in Hamas' Prisoners association said the storm disrupted daily programs at the prison, and accused Israeli prison authorities of standing idly by as the compound was hit with the storm. [end] Charges on Salafi group involved in Gaza mosque take-over dropped 12/19/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - The de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh instructed the Gaza Ministry of Interior and security forces throw out the charges on activists with Jund Ansar Allah, the Salafi group involved in an August take-over of the Rafah Mosque. A show-down between Hamas and Jund Ansar Allah forces killed 22 including three children, and saw leaders of the movement who sought to declare an Islamic emirate in Gaza, killed or detained. De facto government officials promised to release the remaining members from prison ahead of both the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays. On Saturday Haniyeh ordered the four-month-old file to be destroyed for the sake of Palestinian unity. The statement announcing the policy shift came following the de facto prime ministers visit to a Gaza prison where the ultra-Islamist members were being held. Israeli forces seize two in overnight ops 12/19/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - A Palestinian from the Salfit and a second from the Hebron district were detained by Israeli forces, the information office of the Palestinian police said Saturday. The men were identified as 22-year-old Izzat Suleiman from the village of Marda near Salfit, detained by Israeli soldiers as he passed through the Huwwara checkpoint, which separates the northern from the central West Bank. He was taken to an unknown location. The second detention came during a raid on Ithna village south of Hebron, where soldiers detained 33-year-old Ziad Al-Masri. He was also taken to an unknown location. [end] Hamas official: Swap talks in stalemate 12/19/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners named by Gaza factions in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier has led the swap talks to a stalemate, Hamas politburo member Mohamed Nazzal said Friday. The statement came a day after Fox News reports cited Israeli government sources saying their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was reluctant to sign a deal presented to him three weeks ago. The reluctance seemed to stem from a professed distrust of the German mediators currently brokering the deal. According to the report's source, "Israel is being played by the German mediator. . . And he (German mediator) seems to be more favorable to Hamas possibly because of the German government's economic ties with Iran, known to be Hamas' financial and ideological backer. "Nazzal cited Israel's intransigence, and accused the Israeli media of using pressure tactics to push for a Hamas-compromise. Four houses raided in military incursion to West Bank villages Bil’in and Ni’ilin 12/19/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Popular Struggle Coordination Committee - The Palestinian villages of Bil'in and Ni'lin have been invaded by the Israeli military in the early hours of Saturday, 19 December 2009. Soldiers entered both villages at 2. 30am and raided houses of four families. In Bil'in, 5 military jeeps carrying about 30 soldiers entered the village and invaded the house of Yassin Yassin. Family members, woken up by the armed soldiers at the dark of night, were forced to leave the house and stand outside in cold and rain. The raid was conducted in order to arrest Yassin Yassin, wanted for his participation in the village's regular Friday demonstrations against the Wall and settlements. As Yassin was not present in the house at the time of the raid, the soldiers left a note ordering him to attend questioning at the Ofer prison. Soldiers then continued to conduct a search in a second house. Abbas: Israel has 3 weeks to approve Shalit deal YNet News 19 Dec 2009 - Palestinian president tells Al-Ahram German mediator in Shalit talks gave Israel 'two, three weeks' to approve deal before he halts mediation efforts; Hamas official says talks frozen due to state's refusal to release prisoners Israeli gunboats fire at fishing boats, IOF soldiers detain Palestinian boy PIC 19 Dec 2009 - Israeli gunboats opened heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Khan Younis to the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Nazzal: The prisoner swap deal at an impasse due to Israel’s intransigence PIC 19 Dec 2009 - Mohamed Nazzal stated that the prisoner swap talks are in stalemate as a result of Israel’s intransigence and its refusal to release a large number of Palestinian prisoners determined by the Movement. Settlers in Jerusalem attack Palestinian family, 3 injured 25 detained 12/18/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Three Palestinians were injured including two children and a journalist in an attack by Israeli settlers on homes in the East Jerusalem community of Sheikh Jarrah on Friday evening. From the scene, Ma'an's reporter described the incident as a "mob" of settlers who focusing their attack on the A'teiyah and Al-Ghuwar homes. The attacks came after a day of protests where Palestinians, internationals and left-wing Israelis congregated outside the home of the evicted Al-Kurd family, speaking out against the Israeli court order handing the home over to a group of settlers. During the protests Israeli forces arrested 25, including Palestinians and internationals, witnesses reported. The three injured in the evening attacks were teenagers, brothers Imad and Mohammad A'teiyah, 13 and 15-years old, and a Palestinian photojournalist identified as Nader Papers. Palestinians mark 23, 24 years in Israeli prison 12/18/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Two Palestinians are marking their 24th year in Israeli prison this week,expert in Palestinian detainees issues, Abdel Nasser Farwaneh told Ma'an on Friday. Abdel Rahman Al-Qiq, 46, is one of the longest-serving Palestinian detainees in jail, Farwaneh said, adding that today, he marks 24 years behind Israeli bars. Al-Qiq was sentenced on 18 December 1986 to life in prison for allegedly participating in a Palestinian national resistance effort against Israel. Later this week, Kahlid Al-Ju'eidy, 44, will mark 23 years in prison. Al-Ju'eidy was detained at Rafah and sentenced for supporting the Islamic Jihad movement and resisting the Israeli occupation in Gaza. Official: Arab states failed to support Jerusalem celebrations 12/18/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - "We received promises of millions of dollars but we received nothing," Head of the administrative council for the Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009 events said the day of the closing ceremony. The event marked the finale of the year-long celebrations, and was held on the campus of An-Najah University in Nablus on Thursday. Events in Jerusalem were quashed by Israeli forces, and several organizers were detained. The opening celebrations in Bethlehem and the closing in the northern West Bank highlighted some of the difficulties the celebrations faced in recognizing the Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem as a site of Palestinian heritage. Although President Mahmoud Abbas told crowds, "Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of Palestine," as he handed over the Capital of Culture flag to Qatar, whose capital Doha will be the next featured city in the. . . Hamas: PA forces arrested 7 affiliates 12/18/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas has accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces of detaining seven of the Islamic movement's supporters on Friday. In a statement, Hamas said that the detentions took place in Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas and Tulkarem. On Wednesday, the Islamic movement said that PA security forces of arrested 80 members of the Hamas movement from locations across the West Bank in the last 24 hours a statement from the party issued on Wednesday said. According to the Hamas statement, the following men were detained. Tulkarem: Dr Riyad Abdul Karim, Assistant to the Al-Najah National University administration office. Tubas: University students and brothers Bilal and Muhammad Abdul Aziz Bsharat. Hebron: Akram Ar-Rajabi. Bethlehem: Yaser Abdul Majid from the Al-Duheisheh Refugee Camp. CIA linked to Palestinian 'torture' AlJazeera 18 Dec 2009 - US agency working with agents accused of abusing Hamas detainees, Guardian reports. Twenty seven activists arrested at protest against settler expansion in Sheikh Jarrah 12/19/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 18 December - A peaceful demonstration of around 300 people, held in solidarity with the evicted Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, was violently dispersed by the Israeli police. Following a violent dispersal of a similar demonstration last week, the police was blocking the roads in Sheikh Jarrah from the early afternoon, in an attempt to prevent protesters from reaching the Palestinian neighbourhood. They set up barriers at the entrance to the area and, before the demonstration even started, arrested an American activist, who was sitting in the back yard of the al-Kurd house, talking to the family. Later on, twenty six Israeli protesters were arrested, three of them wearing clown costumes. Similarly to last week, the police used a section of the al-Kurd house, currently occupied by settlers, to detain the arrested demonstrators. Detainees' families: the Guardian partially exposed suffering of loved ones PIC 18 Dec 2009 - The committee representing families of detainees in Abbas's jails said Friday in a press release that the mistreatment of detainees talked about in the Guardian was really the tip of iceberg. To some Palestinian children the antidote to Israeli occupation is Israeli prison Mondoweiss - 18 Dec 2009 - A, now 18, demonstrates a position he was restrained in for hours at a time many times during the course of his 25 months in prison. (Photo: Jo Ehrlich) Two boys from Dheisheh were arrested the other day at the Beit Jala/Jerusalem checkpoint. I read the... Prisoner exchange deal stalled as Israel refuses to include Hamas leaders IMEMC 17 Dec 2009 - Friday December 18, 2009 - 00:28, Last week’s hopeful talk of a prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinians has grown into increasing frustration this week as the negotiators failed to reach a compromise agreement. J’lem culture event shut down by Israeli forces 12/17/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli forces arrested several and scuffled with Palestinians while shutting down a cultural festival meant to proclaim attachment to Jerusalem on Thursday. Organizers, including Prisoners' Club President Nasser Kaws, were hustled out of the Damascus Gate area of the Old City of Jerusalem and detained by Israeli border police, prompting scuffles at the main entrance into the ancient streets. Also among those arrested was the secretary-general of Jerusalem's Fatah movement Omar Ash-Shabi. Crowds gathered at the site and groups sang traditional wedding songs, gathering in clusters around television cameras stationed on the stairs leading to the gate. One participant in the event, meant to mark Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009 which comes to an end at the close of this month, told reporters, "Israel used to say they detain everyone who threatens it with. . . Report: Egyptian mediator to visit Jerusalem 12/17/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman to Jerusalem on Sunday, raising speculation that Israel is about to make its latest move in negotiations with Hamas for a prisoner swap, Reuters news agency reported. Suleiman was assigned the top mediating position last year also working on the inter-Palestinian reconciliation file. He joined forces with Germany in indirect negotiations in the fall, as sides work toward a deal that could see the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier captured in 2006. Reuters quoted an anonymous official saying that the German mediator is expected to visit Gaza on Thursday. The talks are said to be stalled over the issue of 50 to 100 Palestinian prisoners who Israel says carried out violent attacks. Also on Thursday, the pan-Arab satellite network Al-Jazeera reported that Suleiman recently chastised Hamas for balking at a deal to reunite Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah. PA police launch crackdown, Hamas says 24 detained 12/17/2009 - Hebron - Ma'an - Hebron police detained 20 Palestinians they said were "wanted" during a security campaign Thursday, focusing on the towns of Yatta and Sa'ir. The police said 15 were wanted for felonies while five were wanted for petty theft. While a statement from the police department said the arrests came within the framework of law enforcement and the imposition of public order, a statement from the Hamas movement said Palestinain authority forces detained 24 of its members from the Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron and Tulkarem areas. Sources from the Hebron police could not immediately be reached to determine whether those detained in Hebron were the same as those named by the Hamas statement. According to Hamas, those detained were: In Hebron: Samira Al-Halayka and her son Anas Halayka, Baha Al-Faraj, head of the office of Palestinian Legislative Council. . . Jerusalem culture event shut down by Israeli forces 12/17/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Ma'an News - Bethlehem – Ma'an – Israeli forces arrested several and scuffled with Palestinians while shutting down a cultural festival meant to proclaim attachment to Jerusalem on Thursday. Organizers, including Prisoners' Club President Nasser Kaws, were hustled out of the Damascus Gate area of the Old City of Jerusalem and detained by Israeli border police, prompting scuffles at the main entrance into the ancient streets. Also among those arrested was the secretary-general of Jerusalem's Fatah movement Omar Ash-Shabi. Crowds gathered at the site and groups sang traditional wedding songs, gathering in clusters around television cameras stationed on the stairs leading to the gate. One participant in the event, meant to mark Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009 which comes to an end at the close of this month, told reporters, “Israel used to say they detain everyone who threatens it with weapons, but look, are these people threatening it? They are just celebrating. ”. Demonstration outside Jelemeh prison in solidarity with arrested Palestinian grassroots activist 12/17/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 16 December - A demonstration was held outside Jelemeh prison in Haifa today in protest against the arrest and imprisonment of grassroots activist Wa'el Al Faqeeh Abu As Sabe. Demonstrators planted olive trees and hung Palestinian flags and banners outside the prison gates, calling for the release of Palestinian political prisoners. The night that the army arrested Wa'el Al Faqeeh, they also arrested 8 other grassroot activists from Nablus and surrounding areas. 15km out of Haifa sits the notorious Jelemeh prison, known for its interrogation and ill-treatment of Palestinian political prisoners. International and Israeli activists gathered under grey skies outside the prison yesterday, beating drums and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Activists planted three olive trees outside the gates of the prison, in tribute to similar actions organised by Al Faqeeh in numerous West Bank villages. CIA working with Palestinian security agents The Guardian 17 Dec 2009 - US agency co-operating with Palestinian counterparts who allegedly torture Hamas supporters in West Bank Palestinian security agents who have been detaining and allegedly torturing supporters of the Islamist organisation Hamas in the West Bank have been... Farwana: Shalit deal should not exclude oldest serving prisoners PIC 17 Dec 2009 - The oldest serving Palestinian prisoners in Israeli occupation jails should not be excluded from the prisoners' exchange deal between the Palestinian resistance and Israel, Abdul Nasser Farwana said. IOA retaining Gazan prisoner in custody after completion of his sentence PIC 17 Dec 2009 - The popular movement in support of Palestinian prisoners and rights said that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) was still retaining a Gazan prisoner behind bars despite end of his sentence. Israeli High Court upholds ban on family visits to prisoners IMEMC 16 Dec 2009 - Wednesday December 16, 2009 - 22:27, Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip who had appealed to the Israeli High Court to be allowed to visit their family members held in Israeli detention camps faced disappointment on Wednesday when the Israeli High Court denied their appeal. Israeli forces sieze 18 Palestinians in raids 12/16/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli military said it detained 18 Palestinians overnight in the West Bank on Wednesday. The detainees were not immediately identified. The raids come after Israeli forces seized 15 Palestinians during raids the previous night. A military representative said one was arrested from a village southwest of Jenin, two from Jayyus near Qalqiliya, nine from Burqa near Nablus one from Ramallah, two from Ni'lin west of Ramallah, two from another Ramallah village, and one from Doha, adjacent to Bethlehem. A Palestinian official confirmed that Israeli forces raided Burqa, south of Nablus and seized nine young Palestinians on Wednesday morning. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in the northern West Bank told Ma'an that Israeli forces stormed the village at 1:30am. They ransacked several homes and detained nine youth before leaving at 6am, he added. [uruknet.info] Ministry of detainees: Israel kidnapped more than 57 Palestinians in two days Uruknet December 16, 2009 - The Palestinian ministry of prisoners' affairs reported Tuesday that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) kidnapped more than 57 Palestinians including eight children under age 18 during the last two days in different West Bank areas. In a statement, the ministry said that 15 citizens were kidnapped in occupied Jerusalem including director of Jerusalem file Hatem Abdelkader... Ministry of detainees: Israel kidnapped more than 57 Palestinians in two days PIC 16 Dec 2009 - The Palestinian ministry of prisoners’ affairs reported that the IOA kidnapped more than 57 Palestinians including eight children under age 18 during the last two days in different West Bank areas. Mishaal: The prisoner swap deal still faces obstacles PIC 16 Dec 2009 - Khaled Mishaal, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, stated that the prisoner swap deal still faces obstacles because of Israel’s refusal of the Palestinian demands. Husam: Palestinian prisoner suffering pain in the eye, spinal cord PIC 16 Dec 2009 - Palestinian prisoner Shawki Abu Adhra, 37, is suffering pain in his spinal cord for the past three years and in the right eye for the past ten months, Husam society said in a statement on Tuesday. HROs Condemn Israeli Decision No Family Visits for Gaza Prisoners 12/16/2009 - WAFA - Palestine News Agency - GAZA, December 16, 2009(WAFA) Two Human Rights Organizations condemned, Israeli Supreme Court Decision family members from Gaza have no right to visit their relatives incarcerated in prisons in Israel. Al-Mezan and Adalah considered in a press release Israeli Supreme Court Family visits to prisoners, are not a basic humanitarian need. It is a government decision to prohibit the visits, will not interfere. They said, Israel has placed a total sweeping ban on visits by the families of some 1000 prisoners from Gaza since June 2007. Adding Supreme Court ignored the fact that transferring prisoners from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) to Israel violates international humanitarian law. This prohibition has been condemned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In its judgment, the Supreme Court stated that: Family visits are not a basic humanitarian need. . . . " PCHR Condemns Campaigns of Arrests against Hamas Supporters in the West Bank 12/15/2009 - Palestinian Centre for Human Rights - The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns Palestinian security services arrest and illegal detention of Hamas supporters in the West Bank. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority and security services in Ramallah to stop arbitrary arrests and to release all political detainees. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Palestinian security forces have waged a campaign of arrests in the past two days, during which they have arrested dozens of members and supporters of the movement. This campaign coincides with the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Hamas movement. The Preventive Security Service (PSS) and the General Intelligence Service (GIS) have arrested members of Hamas in numerous locations throughout the West Bank. At least 116 individuals have been arrested: 50 in Hebron; 17 in Ramallah and al-Bireh; 5 in Nablus; 6 in Jericho; two in Bethlehem;. . . . Rights group: Israeli soldiers detain two Gaza teens 12/13/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli soldiers detained two Palestinian teenagers on Sunday after entering the ruins of the Erez industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip, a human rights group said. The Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights in Gaza said the soldiers detained Mahmoud Jamil Hasan Al-Yazeji, 16, and Mohammad Hatem Qasem Al-Kafarneh, 17 and took them across the border into Israel. Al-Kafarneh was later released, and Al-Yazeji held. Attorneys from the organization said in a statement that the Israeli military was interrogating Al-Yazeji in a prison in the city of Ashkelon. A court ordered that he be detained until Friday, the lawyers added. A field investigation carried out by the center found that the teens were working in ruins of the industrial area, breaking apart rubble from destroyed buildings in order to sell the material to brick factories. Israeli forces detain 65-year-old Nablus woman 12/13/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained a 65-year-old Palestinian woman, Rabi'a Bilal, from the northern West Bank city of Nablus after ransacking her home on Sunday morning, a rights group said. According to Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies and Human Rights, five of Rabi'a's sons were jailed in Israel, one of whom, Ubada, is blind. Early in November, Ubada's wife Nelly was also detained. The family's only son who was not in prison, 40-year-old Omar, was detained earlier in December along with his nephew 19-year-old Bakr. Fuad Al-Khafash, director of Ahrar Center, said Rabi'a is the oldest Palestinian prisoner and that six members of the Sa'id Bilal family were jailed at the Petah Tequa and Beer Sheva prisons. Amongst the imprisoned sons is Mu'ath, serving 26 life sentences, and Othman, serving one life sentence. Israel: 2 Palestinians arrested with explosives near Nablus 12/13/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli military detained two Palestinians near a Nablus checkpoint for carrying two explosives, an Israeli military spokesperson said on Sunday. The Israeli army fired two warning shots in the air, as per the army's regulations, and detained the Palestinians, the spokesperson said. The two were carrying a home-made explosive and a grenade, the representative added. The Palestinians were transferred to security forces for further investigation, according to the same source. No injuries were reported. The detainees were not immediately identified. [end] Report: Abbas urges Netanyahu to wrap up Shalit deal 12/13/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - President Mahmoud Abbas recently sent a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking him to finalize a prisoner swap deal between Israel and the captors of soldier Gilad Shalit, the Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv reported Sunday. The report says Abbas sent the message through a third party. The president reportedly asked Netanyahu to release Hamas' prisoners in addition to Fatah's Marwan Barghouthi and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's Ahmad Sa'adat. "As president of the whole Palestinian people, I hereby ask you to complete the Shalit deal, and release prisoners as soon as possible," Abbas' message read, according to Ma'ariv. President Abbas said on Wednesday that a potential prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas was stalled on the issue of which Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier. Hamas: PA security arrests 5 party members 12/13/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas reported Sunday that Palestinian Authority security forces detained five members in the West Bank this week. The party affiliates were detained in Tulkarem, Nablus and Bethlehem, according to Hamas. Hamas said on Tuesday that the Fatah-backed PA forces arrested 11 members of the Islamic movement in the West Bank. [end] Hamas: PA forces detain over 250 supporters 12/13/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Hamas on Sunday accused the Palestinian Authority of stepping up detentions of its affiliates, lawmakers, and senior leaders in the West Bank as the Islamic movement's 22nd anniversary approaches. PA security forces detained 193 supporters in November and 99 in December, and has summoned hundreds of affiliates with threats against the planned commemorations, Hamas said in a statement. The movement expressed astonishment over the lack of response from Arab countries and other Palestinian factions toward the PA's "criminal acts against Hamas" in the West Bank, which it says create the appearance it has been banned from political activity. Separately, Hamas applauded the de facto government in Gaza's willingness to facilitate events marking the 42nd anniversary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's founding, which was celebrated on Saturday in Gaza City. Demonstrators to protest arrest of prominent grassroots activist Wa’el Al Faqeeh Abu As Sabe 12/13/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - A demonstration will be held outside Jelemeh Prison in Haifa at 12pm, Monday 14 December 2009, to protest the arrest of prominent grassroots Palestinian activist Wa'el Al Faqeeh Abu As Sabe. Al Faqeeh, renowned throughout the Nablus region for his tireless campaigning and non-violent action against the Israeli occupation, was kidnapped from his home by Israeli Occupation Forces in the night of Tuesday, 8 December. Al Faqeeh is now being held at Jelemeh Prison in Haifa, Israel. The prison is notorious for its ill-treatment of prisoners, in particular Palestinian political prisoners. Protesters will gather outside the prison at 12pm, Monday 14 December, to protest the persecution and imprisonment of Al Faqeeh. Protesters plan to plant olive trees outside the prison, in celebration of Al Faqeeh's organisation of numerous tree-planting actions in Palestinian villages close to settlements. IOF soldiers arrest mother of five detainees, steal jewelry PIC 14 Dec 2009 - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested Um Bakir, 65, in downtown Nablus at dawn Sunday after storming and ransacking her home, Ahrar center for prisoners' studies and human rights reported. Hamas: PA detained 18 supporters 12/11/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas said on Friday that Fatah-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) forces detained 18 people affiliated with the Islamic movement in the West Bank over the the last two days. In a statement received by Ma'an the groupsaid PA forces detained supporters from Qalqiliya, Nablus, Tubas, Hebron and Bethlehem. [end] [uruknet.info] Palestinian leader speaks from prison Uruknet December 11, 2009 - One of the key players in Palestinian politics and therefore in any future peace talks with Israel has spoken to CNN from his Israeli prison cell. Marwan Barghouti is serving five life sentences following his conviction in an Israeli court on murder and other charges related to his role in planning attacks on Israelis during the... [uruknet.info] Detention of Palestinian young children up 64% Uruknet December 11, 2009 - According to the latest figures compiled by DCI-Palestine from sources including the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) and temporary Israeli army detention facilities, the number of Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons and detention centres inside Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory at the end of November, was 306. In November, the number of Palestinian children held... Bil’in residents call for the release of the village’s prisoners in a weekly Friday demonstration 12/11/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Bil'in Popular Committee - Approximately 150 Palestinian, international and Israeli activists gathered in Bil'in today, marking the 22nd anniversary of the start of the First Intifada and calling for the release of the village's prisoners arrested for their involvement in the non-violent demonstrations against the Wall and settlements built on land stolen from Bil'in. Demonstrators gathered in the village after the Friday prayers and marched towards the Wall that is being constructed on their land. Organised by the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, activists raised Palestinian flags and banners condemning Israel's policy of settlement expansion and the recent arrest campaign conducted by the Israeli military against the residents of Bil'in. Protesters chanted slogans calling for national unity and rejection of political differences, stressing the need to keep with Palestinian national principles. Israel, Hamas inch toward prisoner swap deal Daily Star 11 Dec 2009 GAZA/OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Sworn enemies Israel and Hamas seem equally eager to trade an Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners, but anxious to avoid political backlashes at home over the terms of any swap. Their dilemmas, fashioned by decades of conflict and symptomatic of the fear and lack of trust that will continue to shape the region. Hayya: Mediation for Prisoners’ deal continues despite Israeli propaganda PIC 11 Dec 2009 - Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya said on Thursday that talks on the prisoners’ exchange deal continued despite the false information the Israeli occupation was feeding to the media. Egypt FM blames Israel for delaying prisoner swap 12/9/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit blamed Israel for delaying a prisoner exchange deal involving a captured soldier in remarks published on Wednesday. He told the Kuwaiti daily As-Siyasa. "There are ideas to release one thousand [Palestinian] prisoners but the delay is due to Israel's complications. " "When these complications are over this process will be carried out," he said, referring to a prisoner exchange. Israel has been negotiating indirectly with Hamas in hopes of freeing captive soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian fighters in Gaza since 2006. Recent media reports suggest the parties are close to a deal. Egypt has acted along with Germany as the mediator on the issue. Speaking at a news conference in the Bahraini capital of Manama on Tuesday, however, Aboul Gheit refused to comment further on Shalit. Israeli forces seize PFLP members in Nablus raid 12/9/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - The Israeli army seized several members of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) during an incursion in the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday night, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources. PFLP sources linked the operation to the negotiations toward a potential prisoner swap which could involve the release of the party's secretary general, Ahmad Sa'adat, from an Israeli prison. The sources said Mussa Salama, 47, and Wa'el Al-Faqeeh Abu As-Sabe, 45, were both from north of Nablus. Another PFLP affiliate, Ziad As-Sal'ous, was detained at the Huwwara military checkpoint while returning to Nablus from Ramallah. Maysar Itiany, 45, an activist in prisoner and human rights, and her brother Abdul-Nasser Itiany, 38, were seized from their home in the Rafidiya neighborhood of Nablus. Hamas: PA detained 15 members 12/9/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Hamas movement said on Wednesday that Fatah-allied Palestinian security forces detained 15 members of the Islamic faction in the West Bank during the past two days. In a statement,Hamas said that Palestinian Authority forces seized its members from the areas of Nablus, Hebron, Qalqiliya and Salfit. [end] Israeli forces detain Palestinian in possession of explosives 12/9/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli forces shut down the Qalandiya checkpoint from Jerusalem into Ramallah because a Palestinian was found with two pipe bombs, eyewitnesses said. The Palestinian was then detained by Israeli forces, and the explosives were disarmed without any injuries, the eyewitnesses added. According to an Israeli military spokesperson, the Palestinian in question was found with six pipe bombs and a knife. The Qalandiya checkpoint has been reopened. Meanwhile, a Palestinian child was detained by Israeli military and security forces for attempted assault, according to an Israeli military spokesperson. The child, 13, was detained after pulling out a knife and threatening a security guard, the spokesperson said, at the illegal West Bank settlement of Revava. The spokesperson was not forthcoming as to where the boy was being detained, or if he was able to meet with a lawyer. Abbas: No prisoner deal yet 12/9/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that a potential prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas was stalled on the issue of which Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier. "We as the Palestinian Authority are not a party in the negotiations for an exchange but, to our knowledge, there are talks between the two sides," he told reporters in Sharm Ash-Sheikh after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, according to AFP. "They are stopping at the details and numbers of prisoners and the type of people," Hamas demands, he said, according to the agency. Abbas is not involved in the indirect negotiations, which are mediated by Germany, with Egypt also playing a role. Recent media reports suggest that there has been progress in the negotiations toward a deal that would include the release of Israeli soldier. . . PA officer sentenced to death for collaboration 12/9/2009 - Ramallah - Ma'an - A Palestinian military court in Ramallah sentenced a security officer to death by firing squad on Wednesday after he was found guilty of collaboration with Israel, Palestinian judicial sources said. Identified only by the initials AD, the condemned was sentenced to death in accordance with article 131 of the Palestinian Military Law of Punishment of 1979. The defendant confessed to having been recruited by the Israeli intelligence service in 1992 to spy on Palestinian activists and fellow security officers concerning armament and movement. His information led to the detention of two Palestinian activists by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian judicial sources. AD, born in 1968 in a Ramallah district, was an adjutant in the Palestinian national forces and was detained by the Palestinian Military Intelligence service on 30 June 2000. Police: 10 drug traffickers arrested in Qalqiliya 12/9/2009 - Qalqiliya - Ma'an - The anti-narcotics unit in Qalqiliya detained 10 alleged traffickers on Wednesday, according to a statement from the public relations department of the Palestinian police. The anti-narcotics unit rushed to the scene following a tip-off, where they stormed a house and detained 10 people in possession of unspecified quantities of drugs with the intention to be sold, the statement said. The statement added that the drugs had been confiscated, and an investigation was underway to discover with whom the detained dealers purchased the narcotics. [end] Barghouti: Shalit deal is on verge of completion Ha'aretz 9 Dec 2009 - Abbas: No deal yet between Israel and Hamas on Shalit due to disagreements over Palestinian prisoners. [uruknet.info] Israeli prisons as revolutionary universities Uruknet December 9, 2009 - Let me start by saying that the role of the Palestinian prisoners' movement in educating its cadre, and thereby contributing to Palestinian "national education" is a large topic, and one worthy of much more discussion and research. As a Palestinian political prisoner who has spent the past 20 years in Israeli jails I would like to... Israeli forces arrest four prominent grassroots activists during Nablus night raid 12/10/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 9 December - The Israeli military kidnapped nine Palestinians from the Nablus region in the early hours of Tuesday, 9 December 2009, including four leading civil society activists. The Israeli army in the force of 200 armed soldiers invaded several districts of Nablus city, refugee camps and a nearby village in a coordinated operation last night, raiding houses of targeted grassroots activists and arrested nine. Eight of them are currently held at the Huwara military detention center, another one has been detained at the Hasharon prison. Amongst the arrested are four leading grass roots organizers from Nablus, a fifth activist from Awarta village and four children from Al-Ein Refugee Camp. Their families remain in the dark as why these activists have been taken from their homes, though the targeting of active members of civil society is immediately apparent. Israeli objections stall prisoner swap Daily Star 9 Dec 2009 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday there was no deal for now between Israel and Hamas on freeing an Israeli soldier held in Gaza. Abbas, speaking after talks with President Hosni Mubarak, also said a EU call for talks with Israel on the status of Jerusalem was important but fell short of Palestinian expectations after changes to an earlier draft. Woman detainee kept in isolation for insulting prison guard 12/8/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - A woman Palestinian prisoner has been kept in solitary confinement following a verbal incident with an Israeli prison guard, the Hussam prisoners association said on Tuesday. Wafa' Al-Lubs, 26, has been held in solitary confinement at the Ar-Ramlah prison for 100 days and has been prevented from making or receiving phones calls or visitors after she verbally assaulted a prison guard, the association said. Al-Lubs' father contacted the Hussam association to visit his daughter, who expressed his deep concern for her, having received no news on his daughter. Three months ago, Al-Lubs was permitted to have surgery for a nervous system condition that affects her left hand and fingers, following three years of continued pressure on the Israeli Prison Services by fellow detainees. Al-Lubs was born on 8 July 1984 in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip, and was. . . Israel detains youth with grenade; detains 11 overnight 12/8/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained a Palestinian man at Atsion, south of Bethlehem, at noon on Tuesday. The man, who was not identified, was allegedly found in possession of a grenade and a knife. He was then transferred to the Israeli intelligence for investigation. Additionally, the Israeli military said on Tuesday it detained 11 Palestinians during overnight raids in the West Bank. One was detained in the Nablus area, another in Qalqiliya, seven in the Ramallah area and two were taken from the Bethlehem area. The detainees were not immediately identified. The Palestinian Authority police confirmed that three Palestinians were detained in the Nablus and Bethlehem areas. The media office of the Palestinian police department said Israeli troops raided the Kalbona building in Nablus and entered four apartments. Syrian prisoner hopes to be freed in Shalit deal 12/8/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - After nearly a quarter century in Israel's custody, Syrian prisoner Sidqi Al-Maqt hopes he will be freed in an expected prisoner swap between Israel and the captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, according to former Palestinian prisoner Abdul-Nasser Farawana. Farawana said he spoke with Al-Maqt's family in the occupied Golan Heights. According to a statement, they discussed the latest updates about the prisoner swap as well as the possibility that Al-Maqt could be included in the deal, as he remains the longest serving Arab prisoner in Israel's jails. Farawana called upon Shalit's captors to insist on giving the prisoner swap deal an Arab dimension "since the prisoners' cause is a national pan-Arab cause which can't be divided according to geographic, partial, national, or sectarian affiliations. " Hamas: PA detained 11 members 12/8/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas said on Tuesday that the Fatah-backed Palestinian Authority forces arrested 11 members of the Islamic movement in the West Bank in the past two days. In a statement received by Ma'an, Hamas said PA forces detained the movement's supporters from Ramallah, Nablus, Salfit, Hebron and Tulkarem. [end] PA forces and police seize 45 illegal cars 12/8/2009 - Ramallah - Ma'an - Palestinian Authority forces and police impounded 45 illegal vehicles and arrested five in connection with the vehicles on Tuesday, in Deir Abu Mash'al northern Ramallah. Following numerous complaints made by residents of Deir Abu Mash'al, PA police and forces proceeded to the area where the illegal cars were kept, confiscating the vehicles and detaining those alleged to be responsible for the crime. Residents of the village told Ma'an that they were satisfied with the swift response they received from the PA forces and police. [end] IOF Detain 11 Palestinians in West Bank 8 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 8, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - At Tuesday dawn, the Israeli occupation forces continued its detaining assault on West Bank towns, villages and camps. They detained 11 Palestinians after breaking into their homes and tampering with their contents. "The Israeli occupation forces detained the Palestinians claiming that they are "wanted". Pointing out that one of them was detained... German Mediator in Gaza for Deal Negotiations. 8 Dec 2009 - Gaza Strip, December 8, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) --The German mediator, negotiating prisoners exchange between Israel and Hamas, arrived in Gaza to meet with Hamas leaders to deliver Israel's response to them. Hamas has earlier demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. An informed Palestinian official said negotaitions have reached a "... Meshal: Shalit deal hindered by Israel's 'obstinacy' Ha'aretz 8 Dec 2009 - The deal to exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit is facing obstacles caused by "Israeli obstinacy," Khaled Meshal, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, said on Tuesday. ... Palestinian female prisoner in solitary for more than 100 uninterrupted days PIC 9 Dec 2009 - The parents of female prisoner Wafa Al-Bes said that their young daughter has been in solitary confinement in the Israeli Ramle prison for more than 100 consecutive days. Khudari calls for human rights convoys to Gaza to activate prisoners' issue PIC 9 Dec 2009 - MP Jamal Al-Khudari has urged human rights groups worldwide to send convoys to the Gaza Strip with the basic aim of activating the question of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Prisoners concerned rumors affecting families’ morale 12/7/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Senior Palestinian prisoners detained in jails across Israel feel great anxiety for their parents who are attentively following news of a potential swap deal, they told the Prisoners' Center for Studies in Gaza. Prisoners told the center, according to a statement, that they worry the outcome of a prisoner exchange deal where they are not included will have devastating effects on their families' lives as the detainees remain anxious over their future. They were referring to numerous conflicting news reports concerning captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and a hoped-for swap deal between Israel and Hamas. "The outcome of the swap deal will have a great effect on our parents. For example, if my name were included in the swap deal then it would be a source of unexpected happiness for my family after more than twenty years but if it is not, then great sorrow will take away my mother's breath," one prisoner said. Jenin: 4 detained in army raid 12/6/2009 - Jenin - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in Al-Yamun, west of the city of Jenin early on Sunday during a military operation searching foran armed fighter affiliated with the Islamic Jihad movement. Sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces entered the village in two cars with Palestinian license plates and, at 1am, stopped at the family homeof Bajis Hamadiyah, the Islamic Jihad affiliate, where they detained his three brothers Luay, Shadid and Aneed for over three hoursand questioned them on their brother's whereabouts. Subsequently, the sources added, 20 military vehicles stormed the village, accompanied by a reconnaissance plane and a helicopter, searching for the wanted Palestinian combatant. Troops detained Ahmad Baqliyah, Ala'a Baqliyah, Adeeb As-Smoudi and Majdi Hamadiyah, all in their twenties. PA police arrest eight fugitives at Allenby Bridge 12/6/2009 - Jericho - Ma'an - Eight Palestinian fugitives were apprehended by PA police at the Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, according to the Palestinian police on Sunday. The eight were detained as they attempted fleeing into Jordan. The Palestinian police stated that the fugitives were suspected of criminal offences, mostly involving fraud, money laundering and theft. [end] [Uruknet 60820 07-dec-2009 02:17 ECT] A Palestinian Detainee Has No Clothes Uruknet December 6, 2009 - A new fact about the Israeli torture in their prisons, the Prisoner's Center for Studies urged the international society to help Somood Karaga, 21, and end her suffering which has been continuing since the last October. Her brother Hassan said: "she moved from many prisons. First, she was moved from Hasharoon prison to El Maskobia prison... A Palestinian Detainee Has No Clothes 6 Dec 2009 - West Bank, December 6, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - A new fact about the Israeli torture in their prisons, the Prisoner's Center for Studies urged the international society to help Somood Karaga, 21, and end her suffering which has been continuing since the last October. Report: German mediator in Gaza with Israel's response YNet News 7 Dec 2009 - Al-Jazeera network says mediator in possible prisoner exchange deal has arrived in Strip to deliver Israel's answer to Hamas' recent offer. 'If Israel's response is unconvincing, the entire deal will be reexamined,' Palestinian source states Abul Ghait: Israel maneuvering, no real guarantees for imminent swap deal PIC 7 Dec 2009 - Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abul Ghait has said that Israel was impeding the indirect negotiations between it and Hamas over the prisoners' exchange deal. Families of long-serving detainees urge Shalit captors to uphold their demands PIC 7 Dec 2009 - Palestinian families of prisoners called on the captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to stick to their demands for the release of long-serving Palestinians from jails. Prisoners’ association condemns Israeli detention center 12/5/2009 - Bethlehem/Gaza - Ma'an -The prisoners and ex-detainees' association Hussam shed light on the poor living conditions in the Etzion Detention Center, pointing to wide scale neglect of Palestinian detainees, the association reported on Saturday. According to Hussam, Palestinian detainees lack suitable food, toilet facilities and hot water for bathing. Prisoners held in solitary confinement have been prevented from bathing, resulting in the appearance of sores and skin disease. Additionally, the association reported cases of medical neglect, as well as verbal and physical abuse. In letters sent to Hussam, prisoners elaborated on the harsh living conditions endured in the detention facility, including Israeli prison staff preventing the detainees from sleep and using the restroom facilities in addition to persistent complaints of malnutrition and medical neglect. Israeli military urged to release rights activist 12/5/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli military appeals court should end the administrative detention of Mohammed Othman, a Palestinian rights activist, and order his release, Human Rights Watch said Saturday. Othman was detained without charge by Israeli authorities and has been held more than two months on what appear to be politically motivated grounds. On the basis of secret evidence that Othman and his lawyers were not allowed to see, a military court confirmed a military order consigning Othman to three months administrative detention. Othman has no criminal record and is not known to have ever advocated or participated in violence. His detention period, which may be renewed indefinitely, ends on 22 December. "The only reasonable conclusion is that Othman is being punished for his peaceful advocacy," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW, in a statement. Hamas: Talks ongoing despite rhetoric 12/5/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Israel's supposed plan to continue the siege of Gaza even if its soldier is released is a continuation of the country's offensive against the Palestinian people, a Hamas official said Saturday. The comments, made by Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, followed Israeli media reports quoting officials close to the swap negotiations saying a prisoner exchange would not mean an end to Israel's three-year blockade. Abu Zuhri noted that there were "parties inside the movement that will study [the development] and evaluate" the Islamic movement's response. Although an end to the siege has not been a condition of the soldier's release, Israel tightened the blockade of Gaza following his capture, and many inside Gaza reasoned that a release would bring an ease to the closure. "Hamas will not surrender to the continued Israeli siege and will keep on searching for alternative. . . Hamas preps for 22nd anniversary celebrations 12/5/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Events marking the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the Hamas movement will be held in Gaza on Monday 14 December, an official announced Saturday. Speaking in Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told locals that Hamas still "holds its covenant to liberate the land, holy places and prisoners of Palestine, and to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip. " The celebrations will be held under the banner of the Grand National Festival, held on what Abu Zuhri called the "victory anniversary. "The spokesman appealed to the people of Palestine, promising that the movement would not abandon them, particularly prisoners awaiting news of a potential swap deal that would see 1,000 Palestinians freed from Israeli jails. He also appealed to the Palestinian Authority, asking that officials accept the terms of the national reconciliation plan, along with the amendments suggested by Hamas, in a collective effort to end the occupation. [Uruknet 60786 05-dec-2009 20:39 ECT] Israeli military urged to release rights activist Uruknet December 5, 2009 - The Israeli military appeals court should end the administrative detention of Mohammed Othman, a Palestinian rights activist, and order his release, Human Rights Watch said Saturday. Othman was detained without charge by Israeli authorities and has been held more than two months on what appear to be politically motivated grounds. On the basis of secret evidence... MK Ben-Simon: PM says Shalit deal nearly complete YNet News 5 Dec 2009 - Labor MK Daniel Ben-Simon says he heard from Netanyahu that prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit to be completed within next two weeks; adds deal will include Barghouti, who may become Palestinian leader after his release Hamas: The Israeli siege was not imposed for the capture of Shalit PIC 5 Dec 2009 - The Movement of Hamas stated that the Israeli decision not to end its blockade on Gaza in case there was a prisoner swap deal confirmed that the siege was imposed for purely political reasons. Hosam society: Conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Etzion inhumane PIC 5 Dec 2009 - Hosam society for detainees said that the incarceration conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Etzion prison are extremely inhumane because of the repressive practices against them. Brother of prisoner appeals for ending suffering of his sister in Israeli jails PIC 5 Dec 2009 - The brother of Somoud Karajeh appealed to all organizations concerned with the issue of prisoners to pressure the IOA to end the psychological suffering of his sister in Israeli jails. Hamas: PA detained five party affiliates overnight 12/4/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian Authority security forces seized five Hamas affiliates in the West Bank on Thursday, Hamas officials said in a statement released on Friday. According to the statement, PA forces abducted the five from areas near Nablus, Tulkarem and Qalqiliya. The statement comes as tension between Palestinian factions continues, with no unity talks on the horizon. [end] Israeli stalling over prisoners blocking swap deal - Hamas Daily Star 4 Dec 2009 Israeli objections to releasing certain prisoners are blocking a swap deal in which an Israeli soldier captured three years would be freed, an official of the Palestinian movement Hamas said Friday. The deal is supposed to see the exchange of hundreds of Palestinians, including 450 chosen by Hamas, for soldier Gilad Shalit. Hamas must say NO to proposed deportation of prisoners PIC 4 Dec 2009 - Hamas, is conducting exhaustive negotiations to conclude a prisoner-exchange accord but Israel is insisting that an undisclosed number of the would-be released prisoners be deported. Abuse Continues Against Families Visiting Their Detained Loved Ones IMEMC 3 Dec 2009 - Thursday December 03, 2009 - 12:09, Several parents of Palestinian detainees imprisoned by Israel complained of ongoing harassment and abuse against them while trying to visit their detained loved ones. Israeli night raids sweep West Bank 12/3/2009 - Jenin - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained nearly thirty Palestinians in raids on Wednesday night on communities throughout the West Bank, according to local sources. The Israeli military said that only 15 "wanted" Palestinians were detained in the entire West Bank. Palestinians reported higher numbers, including raids in at least five separate communities. Israeli raids are a nightly occurence in the West Bank and are often Israel's response to resistance - violent and nonviolent - to its occupation. Those jailed by Israel include university students, pofessors, activists, journalists and members of parliament. According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, between 25 November and 2 December,Israeli forces conducted 14 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and one into the Gaza Strip. During those incursions Israeli forces arrested 20 Palestinian civilians, including 6 under the age of 18. Israeli forces detain 15 from West Bank overnight 12/3/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli forces seized 15 Palestinians during overnight raids in the West Bank, the military said on Thursday. The "wanted" people were taken for interrogation, according to the army. They were not immediately identified. [end] Two family brawls see one shot, 14 arrested 12/3/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Family brawls saw one man shot dead and three detained by Israeli forces in the Shufat Refugee Camp while five were injured and 11 detained by Palestinian police northwest of Ramallah in a second clan clash. Sources in Shufat said Anwar Gheith, 42, died of a gunshot wound to the chest during clashes between the Abu Srour and Abu Asab families. Enraged at the death, Gheith's family attacked the alleged killer's family, setting fire to their homes and cars, the sources added. Israeli police reportedly intervened to stop the violence and detained three. A three-day truce was declared in hopes that the two clans could resolve the dispute peacefully, sources said. A second clash in the town of Kufur Ein northwest of Ramallahwas quelled by Palestinian Authority (PA) police late Wednesday night, a report said. Abu Mujahid: No Shalit deal yet 12/3/2009 - mural imaging Shalit aged by 30 years [MaanImages] Gaza - Ma'an - A spokesman for the captors of Gilad Shalit in Gaza denied on Thursday a report that the Israeli soldier was transferred to Egypt as a step toward a prisoner exchange. Popular Resistance Committees spokesman Abu Mujahid said in a statement that Israel is propagating false information about Shalit in order to force the hand of the Palestinian negotiators. "The ball is in Israel's court," he said, noting that a "deal is not over yet. " Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official in Lebanon, denied the report, telling Al-Jazeera television that he "didn't know where it came from. "The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida quoted anonymous sources on Thursday saying Shalit arrived at a secret location in Cairo a few days ago accompanied by Hamas' military chief, Ahmad Jabari, and top political leader Mahmoud Zahhar. 'Shalit deal hinges on 15 Palestinian prisoners' PNN 3 Dec 2009 - A prisoner exchange deal to secure the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit hinges on a disagreement over 15 Palestinians, the Al-Ayyam daily newspaper reported Thursday. Shalit was abducted by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in 2006 and has been held in captivity since then. Hamas, the rulers of the Gaza Strip, have demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian... Abu Mujahed: Ball in Israeli court regarding prisoner-exchange PIC 3 Dec 2009 - Spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), Abu Mujahed, denied news that captured IOF soldier Gilad Sahlit was moved to Egypt as a prelude to implement a prisoner-exchange deal. Night raids conducted by Israeli forces resume in the village of Bil’in: One Palestinian resident arrested 12/3/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Popular Struggle Coordination Committee - Night raids, conducted by the Israeli army as a part of the ongoing arrest campaign in an attempt to crush the popular struggle against the Apartheid Wall and settlements in the Palestinian village of Bil'in have resumed in the early hours of Thursday, 3 December. At 2am, approximately 20 soldiers invaded the village on foot from the direction of the Apartheid Wall and broke into the house of Rani Najar, without issuing any prior warning. The soldiers handcuffed all men living in the house and detained them in a separate room. They then proceeded to arrest Rani (23), who had only returned from Jordan the previous day. Female members of the family who came to help Rani were violently pushed away, and, as the soldiers exited the house, they also failed to remove handcuffs from the earlier detained men. Israeli spy calls for execution of Palestinian prisoners until Shalit is freed PIC 3 Dec 2009 - Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence in a US jail for spying for Israel, has called on Israel to execute one Palestinian captive everyday until Shalit is freed.. Ahrar center: Israel uses many torture means against Palestinian prisoners PIC 3 Dec 2009 - Al-Ahrar center for human rights stated that Israel uses internationally-prohibited means against Palestinian prisoners much more than tying their hands behind their backs. Israeli Spy Imprisoned By The U.S Demands Executing Palestinian Detainees IMEMC 2 Dec 2009 - Wednesday December 02, 2009 - 05:07, Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy imprisoned by the United States harshly attacked talks on the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees in exchange for the release of the prisoner of war, Gilad Shalit, and said that Israel should instead execute the detainees. Elderly Palestinian attacked by Israeli soldiers, left bleeding 12/2/2009 - Tulkarem - Ma'an - Israeli soldiers beat a 75-year-oldPalestinian on Wednesday as he was trying to access his land adjacent to Israel's electric barrier west of Deir Al-Ghusun, in the northern West Bank the victim told Ma'an. Ahmad Jaber Ghanem was left bleeding at the scene of the incident, after Israeli soldiers assaulted him and refused medical assistance. An ambulance associated with the Palestinian Red Crescent was called by locals shortly after the incident and transferred Ghanem to the Thabit Thabit Hospital in Tulkarem, where Ghanem was treated for moderate injuries sustained to the head and face. Ghanem told Ma'an that Israeli soldiers repeatedly deny him access to his land near Israel's electric barrier, despite having the necessary permit granting him entry. The electric barrier forms part of Israel's internationally condemned separation wall. . . . -- Link: Medics: Israeli forces shoot, detain Gaza man Medics: Israeli forces shoot, detain Gaza man 12/2/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli forces shot and detained a Palestinian on the Gaza Strip's northern border on Wednesday morning, a government medical official said. Muawiyah Hassanein, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Health Ministry, told Ma'an that the Israeli forces opened fire on a man who has not yet been identified, injuring him. Hassanein said the soldiers denied a Palestinian ambulance permission to retrieve him, leaving him bleeding near the border. An Israeli military spokeswoman said that Israeli forces shot the man after he ignored warning shots for approaching the border. She said soldiers administered initial medical treatment before transferring him to Barzilai hospital in the city of Ashkelon. Hassanein said the Health Ministry is in contact with the Israeli military to find out the wounded man's to try to return him to Gaza. -- Link: Elderly Palestinian attacked by Israeli soldiers, left bleeding Israeli forces demolish two homes north of West Bank 12/2/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israeli media sources said two Palestinian homes were demolished in Israel on Wednesday, and seven bystanders were detained as they attempted to prevent crews from destroying the properties. Israel's news site Ynet said the demolition took place near Jabal Al-Faqoua, Gilboa, in Israel just north of Jenin. The buildings were allegedly illegal, and were demolished. [end] Israeli forces storm Al-Aroub Refugee Camp; detain three 12/2/2009 - Hebron - Ma'an - Israeli forces assaulted two Palestinians and detained three others from across the West Bank in the early hours of Wednesday, a Palestinian police statement said. Israeli forces entered the Al-Aroub Refugee Camp, storming the roofs of homes and firing rubber bullets and tear gas, before withdrawing and detaining Shehab Ahmad At-Tity, 20, according to the information office of the Palestinian police department. No injuries were reported, the statement added. In Tulkarem, Faisal Nasif Taqatqa, 19, was transferred to hospital after being beaten by Israeli forces at the Anata checkpoint while an unidentified Palestinian was also transferred to Hebron Hospital after Israeli forces assaulted him, according to the statement. Two more were detained at the Al-Hamra checkpoint at the entrance of Jericho. MoH demands release of detained, injured Palestinian 12/2/2009 - Ramallah - Ma'an - PA Minister of Health Fathi Abu Moghli called on international institutions and organizations to immediately intervene Wednesday, to secure the release an injured Palestinian, detained as he was traveling to seek medical treatment in a Jerusalem hospital. Ahmad Samir Salim Asfour was detained at the Erez/Beit Hanoun checkpoint in northern Gaza on 24 December, whilst en route to undergo treatment for diabetes-related digestive and pancreas trouble as well as a disability sustained during the Israeli war on Gaza where a nerve was lacerated and he lost use of his arm. The Minister of Health called on the Israeli Health Minister to intervene, highlighting that Asfour's detention violates international agreements and the Fourth Geneva Convention. Dr Omar An-Nasser, the director of public relations for the PA Ministry of Health said the ministry was following up on Asfour's current state of health. Egyptian security services seize weapons cache on border 12/2/2009 - Al-Arish - Ma'an - Egyptian security services raided a weapons cache near the Rafah border with Gaza on Wednesday that were en route to Gaza via the smuggling tunnels, according to Egyptian security sources. The Egyptian security services uncovered and confiscated two belts lined with explosives, six bombs, and five unspecified explosive materials, according to the sources. Meanwhile, the sources told Ma'an that the Egyptian authorities detained six Palestinians in Al-Arish City for infiltrating Egypt through the tunnels and smuggling large quantities of goods into the Gaza Strip last month, adding that the six detained were in possession of 10,000 US dollars and 10,000 shekels. The sources stressed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. Fadwa Barghouthi: No word on Marwan’s release 12/2/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The wife of imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi said on Wednesday that she has received no official word on her husband being released as a part of a prisoner exchange. Fadwa Barghouthi told Ma'an in an interview said that she trusts the Palestinian negotiators on the prisoner issue, and hopes that a deal will be concluded in a "fair manner. " She specifically said she hopes large numbers of long-term prisoners are released. She urged the media to take care in their handling of the prisoner issue because reports could influence the negotiations. A popular figure among Fatah's grassroots, Marwan Barghouthi is one of approximately 1,000 Palestinians who could be released in a prisoner exchange between Israel and the captors of soldier Gilad Shalit in Gaza. On Wednesday the London-based Arabic-language daily Al-Hayat reported that Israel will only release Barghouthi on the condition that he is sent into exile. Hamas: PA detained 5 affiliates in West Bank 12/2/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas officials accused the Palestinian Authority security services of detaining five of the party's affiliates from locations across the West Bank. The five were taken from the Tulkarem, Nablus and Hebron areas, according to a statement from Hamas officials. The allegations come as unity talks continue in stalemate as earlier rumors of a post-Eid resumption turn out to have been false. [end] [uruknet.info] Using Photos of Abu Zubaydah's Torture to Intimidate and Threaten Other Prisoners Uruknet December 2, 2009 - The set-up of Abu Zubaydah as an Al Qaeda bigwig may have been meant, among other things, for use in intimidation and torture of other prisoners. Andy Worthington recounts how a prisoner captured with Zubaydah, Omar Gharmesh, reported to another prisoner in Syria's infamous Palestine Branch prison, where they were sent via "extraordinary rendition," that he... [uruknet.info] Ahrar center: Israel uses many torture means against Palestinian prisoners Uruknet December 2, 2009 - Al-Ahrar center for human rights and prisoners' studies stated Tuesday that Israel uses internationally-prohibited means during the detention of Palestinians much more than tying hands of prisoners behind their backs as admitted by the Shin Bet lately. Director of the center Fouad Al-Khafsh cited as an example that Israeli officers do not confine to tying the... Husband: All female Palestinian prisoners to be freed YNet News 2 Dec 2009 - Husband of Qahira Saadi, sentenced to life in prison for her part in Jerusalem suicide attack that left three Israelis dead in 2002, says all female Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange deal. 'They were told they can start packing,' he says Israeli soldiers get 'slap on the wrist' for force-feeding detainees IMEMC 1 Dec 2009 - Tuesday December 01, 2009 - 09:56, Four Israeli soldiers who were caught abusing and forcefeeding Palestinian detainees were sentenced Monday by a military court to a demotion of one rank and a small fine of less than $500 each. Prisoner rights advocates called the sentence an outrage. 400 Detainees Approved For Release, Talks On 50 IMEMC 1 Dec 2009 - Tuesday December 01, 2009 - 09:43, A senior Hamas source stated that the movement and Israel agreed during indirect talks on 400 names of Palestinians detainees who would be released in return for the release of prisoner of war, Gilad Shalit, and that the talks are currently focused on the names of 50 additional detainees. Mother of Hamas prisoners dies 12/1/2009 - Gaza - Ma'an - The mother of two Palestinian prisoners from Gaza died on Monday, amid speculation that Israel and Hamas could conclude a prisoner exchange soon. Ward Abu Odeh, 65, was the mother of Assad and Said Abu Salah, according to the media committee representing Hamas prisoners in Gaza. She lived in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. The committee said in a statement that the family's home was twice demolished by the Israeli military, once in 1967 and again in 2001. In 1970 Abu Odeh husband was jailed by Israel. After the second demolition, Abu Odeh husband suffered a heart attack, but was barred by Israel from travelling to Al-Maqasid hospital in Jerusalem. Abu Odeh's grandson was also jailed by Israel, the committee said. Israeli forces seize 3 Palestinians overnight 12/1/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israel's military said on Tuesday it detained three Palestinians during overnight raids in the West Bank. The detainees, who were taken because of their status as "wanted" people, were taken for questioning, the military said. On Monday evening Palestinians said Israeli forces detained five people from the Old City of Hebron. A military spokeswoman said the army was unfamiliar with the report. [end] Fighters awaiting amnesty stop hunger strike following talks 12/1/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - Twelve Palestinians detained in the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority-Israel amnesty program announced the end to their six-day hunger strike following promises by officials to push forward their their amnesty cases on Tuesday. The 12, eleven of which were formerly affiliated with Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades, were taken into protective police custody one month ago as part of a deal that would lead to their removal from Israel's "wanted" list. In the days before the Eid Al-Adha holiday, 198 Palestinians were granted various levels of amnesty, but the 12 were not on the lists, prompting the declaration of a hunger strike. According to the former fighters, Palestinian notables promised to deal with their cases, prompting an end to the strike. The men were being held in Nablus' Juneid Prison, under PA control. Islamic Jihad condemns un-coordinated prisoner transfer 12/1/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Two political prisoners affiliated with Islamic Jihad were transferred from the Juneid to Jericho prisons without notice on Tuesday, officials from the party announced. A third man with the party, Abdel-Fattah Khazima, was reportedly released due to a worsening health condition. Though pleased with the release of Khazima, Islamic Jihad officials were angered by the move, which they said was carried out with out consultation or explanation. A statement from the party identified the men transferred to the Jericho facility as Tayseer Khazima and Fayez Shayeb from Qabatiya. It condemned the continued detention of party members for "political reasons," but noted officials were working with Palestinian Authoirty officials to end the file of politically-motivated arrests for all factions. Israeli forces detain 7 Palestinians 12/1/2009 - Ramallah - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained seven Palestinians from Bethlehem and Hebron, in addition storming several homes, on Tuesday afternoon, according to Palestinian police. Israeli forces raided the Old City of Hebron and searched the homes of Nidal Al-Ewewy, Humeidan Al-Ewewy, and the Al-Karaky family, the information office of the Palestinian police said. The detained Palestinians from Hebron were identified asas Sa'id Nidal Al-Ewewy, 20, Fareed Humeidan Al-Ewewy, 20, his brother Muhammad Humeidan Al-Ewewy, 15, Imad Al-Karaky, 15, his brother Muhammad Al-Karaky, 14, and Muhammad Yousid Jawabra, 19. In Bethlehem, the Israeli forces detained Muhammad Mansour Hamamra from the town of Husan and impounded his car. Samir Al-Quntar meets PA delegation in Mecca 12/1/2009 - Mecca - Ma'an - Samir Al-Quntar, the Lebanese former prisoner of Israel, met with Palestinian officials who made the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Ma'an learned. Al-Quntar met with the Palestinian Authority's Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash and other officials. Al-Quntar expressed appreciation for Palestinians and their resistance to Israeli occupation. He also urged Palestinians to restore political unity. The former prisoner said he wished he could visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem after it is freed from Israeli occupation. For his part, Al-Habbash called on Al-Quntar to tell the world about the dire conditions Palestinian and Arab prisoners face in Israeli jails. Al-Quntar was freed in 2008 in an exchange between Israel and Hizbullah. He was hailed upon his release as a symbol of "resistance" to Israel. Report: Prisoner deal hinges on 50 names 12/1/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israel and the captors of soldier Gilad Shalit have okayed 400 names of Palestinian prisoners who would be released as part of a prisoner swap, while the names of 50 others are still being debated, the London-based daily Al-Hayat reported on Tuesday. The report cited anonymous Hamas officials saying that controversy remains over three female prisoners: Amina Muna from Jerusalem, Ahlam Tamimi from Nabi Salih village near Ramallah, and Qahira As-Sa'di from Jenin. Israel accuses the three of organizing operations in which Israelis were killed. Also among the 50 contested names are Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Secretary-General Ahmad Sa'adat, as well as several leaders of Hamas' military wing such as Ibrahim Hamid, Abbas As-Sayyid, Abdullah Barghouthi, Jamal Abu Al-Hayja, and Hasan Salamah. Hamas: PA security forces detained 4 supporters 12/1/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian Authority security forces seized four Hamas affiliates in the West Bank on Monday, Hamas said in a statement released on Tuesday. According to the statement, PA forces abudcted four members, including one journalist, from Nablus and Tulkarem. On Wednesday, The Palestinian Journalists' Association called for the release of 11 Palestinian journalists and members of the media detained in West Bank jails. [end] Beggars impersonate freed prisoners for cash 12/1/2009 - Nablus - Ma'an - Palestinian police arrested two men posing as prisoners recently released by Israel, who used forged documents to con citizens out of cash for "bus fair home" and meals, police in Nablus said. The con came during the Eid Al-Adha holidays, as rumors of a mass prisoner swap circulated. Begging is frowned upon in Palestine, and can be considered fraud under Palestinian law. It is a rare phenomenon in the West Bank, and according to police, in the last two months, only eight beggars were arrested. Police legal advisor Major Khalid Sabbatin was quoted in a statement sent out by the Investigations Department of the Palestinian police, saying the falsification of papers for the purpose of fraud is a violation of Penal Code article 389 which says "anyone found going from one place to another collecting charitable donations of any kind based on a false claim is considered to be begging. [uruknet.info] Israeli secret agency defends use of torture Uruknet December 1, 2009 - The Israeli secret service agency, Shin Bet, responded to a petition in Israel's High Court on Monday, defending their use of torture against detainees. The petition was filed by the Public Committee Against Torture, a prisoner advocacy group which challenged the Israeli practice of forcing Palestinian detainees to sit on small chairs with their hands cuffed... [uruknet.info] Report: Prisoner deal hinges on 50 names Uruknet December 1, 2009 - Israel and the captors of soldier Gilad Shalit have okayed 400 names of Palestinian prisoners who would be released as part of a prisoner swap, while the names of 50 others are still being debated, the London-based daily Al-Hayat reported on Tuesday. The report cited anonymous Hamas officials saying that controversy remains over three female prisoners:... High Court: Details of Shalit deal to remain undisclosed YNet News 1 Dec 2009 - Judges reject petition filed by terror victims' relatives calling for publication of list of Palestinian prisoners slated for release in Shalit deal, say 'we were convinced security concerns behind secrecy' Bardawil: all news about a prisoner exchange deal are test balloons PIC 1 Dec 2009 - Dr. Salah al-Bardawil, a Hamas leader and member of the PLC, said on Tuesday, that all information published lately about the negotiations over a prisoner-exchange deal were test balloons..  Links
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. The Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees: Home page
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