Palestinian-French former prisoner and advocate for Palestinian prisoners’ rights Salah Hamouri was once again seized by Israeli occupation forces in a pre-dawn raid on his home in east Jerusalem on Wednesday, 23 August.
His wife, Elsa Lefort, posted on Facebook that occupation forces came to the home in large numbers, seizing him as he was sleeping, and that no cause had been given for his arrest. He has been unable to contact anyone so far.
Lefort herself, as well as their young child, have been denied access to Palestine by Israeli occupation forces who want to exclude Hamouri’s family from Jerusalem. Salah Hamouri has spoken widely internationally about the experience of Palestinian prisoners; earlier in 2017, he visited universities and communities across Belgium as part of Israeli Apartheid Week.
As a law student and legal advocate working with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, he continues to campaign daily for rights and freedom for Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinian people.
Salah Hamouri was released from Israeli occupation prisons – where he had been held since 2005 – in 2011. During his imprisonment, he was supported by strong campaigns organized by many groups, movements and parties in France and Palestine demanding his release. Since his release he has been repeatedly subject to further persecution and violations of his rights – and those of his family – by the Israeli occupation.
Upon his release, he was warmly welcomed by supporters around the world, especially in many cities in France. He has been a keynote speaker at the Fete de l’Humanite, the annual festival organized by the French Communist Party, and the subject of a film, L’Affaire Salah Hamouri, focusing on the French official treatment of his case.
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network demands the immediate release of Salah Hamouri and all Palestinian prisoners. We join in the call for the French state to defend the rights of their citizen and take action for Salah Hamouri’s freedom. Hamouri is an international representative of the struggle of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian prisoners for freedom. From the jails and the courts of the occupation to the cities of Europe to the World Social Forum in Brazil, he is a consistent and clear voice against oppression and for liberation. Free Salah Hamouri! Libérez Salah Hamouri!
