Military court hearings continued for student Istabraq Tamimi, parliamentarian Samira Halaiqa

The Ofer Israeli occupation military court again adjourned the hearing of Palestinian student Istabraq Yahya Tamimi on Wednesday, 5 April. Her military court hearings have been repeatedly adjourned since her arrest on 20 March when Israeli occupation soldiers invaded the female students’ dormitory at Bir Zeit University.

Tamimi, 22, a broadcast journalism student, is formerly the secretary of the cultural committee of the Bir Zeit University student council. She is held at HaSharon prison and faces a potential transfer to Damon prison. Her case is one of 60 Bir Zeit students – and hundreds of Palestinian students overall – who are imprisoned in Israeli jails. In particular, active students who are involved with student council and student election activities have been targeted by Israeli occupation forces in an attempt to undermine student organizing. Fellow Bir Zeit student Kifah Quzmar was recently ordered to six months without charge or trial in administrative detention.

Meanwhile, the Ofer military court also adjourned the hearing of Palestinian Legislative Council member Samira Halaiqa of al-Khalil, one of 12 PLC members imprisoned by the Israeli occupation. She has been imprisoned since 9 March, when her family home was invaded by Israeli occupation forces. On 3 April, the Ofer military court ordered her release on 20,000 NIS bail (approximately $5,000 USD) and the imposition of a travel ban; however, the military prosecution filed an objection against her release, keeping her imprisoned in HaSharon prison.