From Italy: Confront repression for the weeks of action for Ahmad Sa’adat and Georges Abdallah

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network received the following statement from our comrades in Italy who organize with Collettivo contro la Repressione per un Soccorso Rosso Internazionale, the Collective Against Repression, an Italian affiliate of Red Help International. We salute these comrades’ struggle and their efforts to fight repression in Europe while organizing for the liberation of Palestine. The original is published in Italian here: https://ccrsri.wordpress.com/2020/01/23/15-29-gennaio-2020-giornate-di-mobilitazione-internazionale-per-la-liberazione-di-ahmad-saadat-e-dei-delle-prigionieri-e-palestinesi/

From January 15 to January 29, 2020 – International action days for release of Ahmad Sa’adat and all Palestinian prisoners

In these days, international actions are taking place from January 15 to January 29, 2020, supporting the release of Ahmad Sa’adat and all Palestinian prisoners detained in Zionist jails, organized by the “Campaign to Free Ahmad Sa’adat”, Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network) as well as other organizations. Ahmad Sa’adat, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was arrested on January 15, 2002 by thugs of Palestinian National Authority (ANP) representing Palestinian bourgeoisie interests and was imprisoned under the guard of US and British authorities. Afterwards, in 2006 the Zionist occupation forces abducted him and brought him into the Zionist jail to convict him on December 25, 2008, sentencing him to 30 years detention. For the Palestinian movement, Ahmad Sa’adat is symbol of struggle against zionism and imperialism. For the same cause, there are actually detained more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners who remain engaged in their struggle and face daily repression. Georges Abdallah, the anti-imperialist Lebanese militant for the Palestinian cause, has also been imprisoned in France since October 1984.

Palestinian people have never ceased over the years to support Ahmad Sa’adat, Georges Abdallah and all prisoners as part of the struggling movement against Zionist occupation.

Within the actions called from January 15 to January 29, 2020, demonstrations and events are occurring in many towns in the world, among those Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Toulouse, Bern, Goteborg, Wicklow (Ireland) Ann Arbor (USA) and Vancouver. Particularly, in Lebanon during the protest movement that is still underway, Georges Abdallah, a participant in armed actions against high officers of CIA and Mossad in 1982, is considered by demonstrators to be among the symbols of the people rising up in Lebanon for months.

An international action day against war at Iran is proclaimed for January 25, 2020 under the slogan “USA GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST” through demonstrations expected in many cities and towns all over the world.

Nowadays also in Italy, there remain numerous revolutionary prisoners resisting in the jails, some for more than 30 years, confronting the very harsh conditions of detention and confinement to which they are subjected. They are also a part of the revolutionary movement, and thus they should be supported both by developing an action against the regimes of 41 bis and “High Security” and by enhancing their political identity and their revolutionary role.

A part of the movement in Italy is involved in advancing the struggle of the Palestinian people and their prisoners. Among the various actions, particularly during the 25 April demonstrations marking liberation from Nazism and fascism, for many years, the participation of the “Jewish Brigade” has been challenged, because it represents a Zionist force carrying symbols of oppression rather than an antifascist force. Following the 2018 protest, the judiciary investigated 5 comrades charging them with incitement to racial hatred and other charges. The first hearing in their trial is set for 10 March 2020.

To this end, we join in the call that has been launched against this repressive attack, inviting all to attend outside and inside the courthouse on the occasion of the trial hearing as well as to participate the protest against the presence of supporters of Israeli apartheid and occupation on 25 April 2020..

OUR SOLIDARITY TO PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AND REVOLUTIONARY PRISONERS ALL OVER THE WORLD!

AGAINST ZIONISM AND IMPERIALISM!

FIGHT BACK THE REPRESSIVE ATTACK AGAINST THE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT TO PALESTINIAN PEOPLE STRUGGLE!

January 2020

Collettivo contro la repressione per un Soccorso Rosso Internazionale (CCRSRI)