30 August, Choisy-le-Roi: Rally in solidarity with Salah Hamouri

23 August 2018

Thursday, 30 August
5:00 pm
Gare Esplanade
Avenue Anatole France
Choisy-le-Roi, France
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/388304081701416/

Salah Hamouri, a French-Palestinian lawyer, was arrested by the Israeli occupation army at his home in East Jerusalem one year ago! He is being held in detention without charge or trial.

France must move from worss to actions and no longer “request” the release of its citizen but instead forcefully demand it.

The organizations Solidarité Choisy Palestine, League of Human Rights, CGT, France Insoumise and PCF Choisy-le-Roi call for this gathering.

* Update on the situation of Salah Hamouri and the campaign for his liberation, with a member of the national support committee for Salah Hamouri (at 6:00 pm)
* Interventions on the situation of Palestinian political prisoners
* Signing petition cards to the President of the Republic demanding a strong intervention by the French government for Salah
* Writing postcards for Salah Hamouri in the Negev prison to show him the support he enjoys in France.

Salah Hamouri, avocat franco-palestinien a été arrêté par l’armée israélienne à son domicile de Jérusalem-Est le 23 août 2017, il y’a un an ! Il est maintenu en détention sans charge ni procès.
La France doit passer des paroles aux actes et ne plus “demander” la libération de son ressortissant, mais l’exiger avec force.
Les organisations Solidairté Choisy Palestine, Ligue des Droits de l’Homme, CGT, France Insoumise et PCF de Choisy-le-Roi appellent à ce rassemblement.

• Point sur la situation de Salah Hamouri et la campagne de libération, avec un membre du comité national de soutien à Salah Hamouri (à 18h)
• Interventions sur la situation des prisonniers politiques palestiniens
• Signature de cartes-pétitions au président de la République pour exiger une intervention forte du gouvernement français pour Salah,
• Ecriture de cartes postales à destination de Salah Hamouri dans sa prison du Néguev pour lui montrer le soutien dont il bénéficie en France.

Samidoun Solidarity Statement with the U.S. National #PrisonStrike

22 August 2018

*Melanie Cervantes’ graphic for the National Prison Strike*

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network stands in solidarity with the National Prison Strike launching on 21 August in jails across the United States. This important struggle, involving work stoppages, sit-ins, boycotts and even hunger strikes, is a critical confrontation of racism, capitalism and oppression taking place in the center of the U.S. prison system.

The dates of the strike are not accidental; instead, they underline the political legacies that have inspired and continue to push forward the movement. August 21 marks the 47th anniversary of the assassination of imprisoned revolutionary and Black Panther George Jackson. His writings, “Blood in My Eye” and “Soledad Brother,” not only inspired prisoners trapped in the racist U.S. prison system to resist and revolt but were translated around the world.

“You see, that’s the whole story of America. They take their violence and turn it back around on somebody else. I don’t have to talk about American violence, you can look all over the world and see American soldiers everywhere, fighting in other people’s countries and killing them. So if I were running the country, in America, I wouldn’t open my mouth about violence—as many people as they’ve murdered in Vietnam in the past 10 years and they’re gonna talk about violence? As many Black people as get killed every day in this country and nobody knows or cares—and you tell me about violence? How they wiped out a whole nation of Indians and then you say something to me about violence—I don’t wanna hear it!” — Georgia Jackson, following the assassination of her son at San Quentin

Jackson’s own revolutionary perspective was deeply informed by internationalism. As explored in depth by Professor Greg Thomas in his exhibition, “George Jackson in the Sun of Palestine,” writings by Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasim were found in his cell after his assassination. Al-Qasim’s writings about imprisonment, identity and resistance to colonialism and Zionism found resonance and reflection in the writings, thoughts and organizing of an imprisoned Black Liberation struggler.

“You may take the last strip of my land,
Feed my youth to prison cells.
You may plunder my heritage.
You may burn my books, my poems,
Or feed my flesh to the dogs.
You may spread a web of terror
On the roofs of my village.
O enemy of the sun,
But
I shall not compromise
And to the last pulse in my veins
I shall resist.” – Samih al-Qasim, “Enemy of the Sun”

The prison strike is a workers’ struggle and a freedom movement. In an institution erected on the framework of chattel slavery and on confiscated Indigenous land, “modern-day slavery” is a common practice. Prisoners, especially and disproportionately Black people, are forced to work for tiny sums of money. Their imprisonment itself provides profits to prison corporations, while their labor is exploited by some of the nation’s largest corporations for superprofits. This is one reason why the prison strike focuses so clearly on the exploitation of labor and on the power of those workers to withdraw their labor to enforce their demands.

The U.S. prison system incarcerates working class and poor people, especially Black people and people of other oppressed communities. The “school-to-prison pipeline” criminalizes young people, directing them into a future of incarceration, oppression and exploitation. The deeply racist nature of the U.S. prison system and the massive and devastating effects it has had on Black communities in particular reflect the nature of capitalism and settler colonialism in the United States, built on the genocide of Indigenous people. Prisons do not function separately from capitalism; instead, they work to ensure the perpetuation of capitalism and its imperialist advances against the people of the world. This is a reason why Black Liberation, Indigenous and other movement leaders are targeted specifically for criminalization, accompanying the mass incarceration of entire communities.

The use of incarceration by the United States in order to achieve its objectives to control, suppress and manipulate populations is not confined to its borders. Indeed, the U.S. funds the military imprisonment of Palestinians by the Israeli settler-colonial regime just as it supports the incarceration of resistance leaders and freedom fighters in countries around the world that stand against U.S. imperialism.

The U.S. uses “anti-terror” laws to spread fear among oppressed communities and imprison those who struggle for the rights of their people – or even provide charity to the oppressed, as in the case of the Holy Land Foundation Five, the Palestinians sentenced to up to 65 years in prison for their charitable work.

As an organization that works to support and organize for Palestinian political prisoners, we know the lesson of their dedicated organizing: that no victories can be achieved throughout struggle. Every victory accomplished by the Palestinian prisoners was won through struggle – harsh confrontations on the front line against the colonial enemy. Palestinian prisoners themselves have issued a statement in support of the U.S. prisoners’ strike, which we republish below:

Palestinian prisoners’ message of solidarity to U.S. National Prison Strike

The following statement was released by the Palestinian prisoners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, jailed by Zionist colonialism for their role in struggling for the freedom of their people. They are among nearly 6,000 Palestinians imprisoned by the Israeli occupation today. Their solidarity comes to extend fists of resistance and hands of unity through prison bars to support the U.S. National Prison Strike, beginning August 21.

Message of Solidarity to the US National Prison Strikers

We write today as imprisoned Palestinians of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, held in Israeli jails for our participation in struggle for the liberation of our land and people from colonialism and occupation. Today, we extend our solidarity to the prisoners in the jails of the United States participating in the national prison strike beginning on August 21, fighting exploitation, racism and capitalism from within the heart of imperialist prisons.

We begin by expressing our mourning for George Jackson, the imprisoned revolutionary and martyr of the Black Liberation struggle. The strike is beginning on the 47th anniversary of his martyrdom, an event that was recognized in Palestine and around the world at the time as an assassination of a true voice of struggle by the U.S. ruling class. As Palestinian prisoners, we also know that George Jackson was an internationalist and that the works of Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasem – addressing imprisonment and resistance – were found in his cell after his assassination. Today, we write to you to once again forge that connection of struggle, despite our different circumstances

The prison strike is a struggle of oppressed and exploited workers, first and foremost, confronting the unmasked brutality of capitalism behind bars. Around the world, prisoners have only protected their human rights and won victories through struggle. We know that you are demanding improved conditions, the right to fight in court for your rights and an end to excessive, lifelong sentences. You are also demanding an end to the new form of slavery found in U.S. prisons, where prison workers are paid pennies to produce goods and perform services for some of the country’s largest corporations.

We also salute your struggle against racism. U.S. settler colonialism and imperialism practices its vicious racism both internally and externally, and the prison system reflects that reality. Black communities, Latino communities, Arab communities are under attack, facing mass incarceration and a system that seeks to imprison and exploit rather than support and nurture youth and elders.

Today, prison workers are some of the most exploited workers in the United States, and the same ruling class that profits from the confiscation of Palestinian land and resources and from the bombing of children in Yemen also profits from the forced labor of prisoners. Your struggle is a workers’ struggle that is part of our global conflict against the vicious exploitation that our peoples face today. This struggle inside the prisons highlights the deep connections between racism and capitalism and how the struggle against them both can never be de-linked.

The boycott campaign that is part of your strike also emphasizes the critical role of boycott in confronting exploitation and oppression. While our circumstances and lives may vary greatly from one another in many ways, we too face economic exploitation through a “canteen” system that seeks to profit from our imprisonment as Palestinians. We know that prison profiteers in the United States also profit from prison canteens, phone calls and other purchases, and we salute your campaign of boycott. This is the same reason why we call on people around the world to join the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. We cannot and must not be the consumers of those who profit from our misery and oppression.

As you enter your strike, we salute all of you and your struggle, and we urge all who are not already committed to join in the strike. We extend a special revolutionary salute to the imprisoned strugglers of the Black Liberation Movement and other liberation movements, including Mumia Abu-Jamal, whose consistent internationalism and principled struggle is known and resonates around the world. We demand the freedom of these freedom fighters in U.S. jails, from Leonard Peltier to Mutulu Shakur.

We know from our experience that it is through struggle and confrontation that true freedom can be realized. Your strike is being launched within the heart of U.S. imperialism, the greatest danger faced by our Palestinian people and the people of the world. We know that your victory will also be a victory for Palestine – just as our victories in Palestine will be a victory for all of the struggles against imperialism, racism and oppression in the United States and globally.

With revolutionary greetings,

The Palestinian prisoners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine inside Israeli jails

The Palestinian liberated prisoners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

20 August 2018

25 August, Manchester: Rolling picket protest – Free Palestine! Boycott Israel!

21 August 2018

Saturday, 25 August
12:00 pm
Piccadilly Gardens
Manchester, UK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/840945496294709/

Join us on the streets as we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against British ruling class support for Zionist Israel.

Boycott Israel!
Free all Palestinian political prisoners!
Victory to the march of return!

Manchester Boycott Israel Group – Victory to Palestine!
Victory to the Intifada
Manchester Palestine Action

Arizona Palestine solidarity protest highlights bigotry of right-wing, Zionist speaker

21 August 2018

Samidoun is reprinting the following statement from the APSA. We support their action and encourage groups around the world organizing events and actions in support of Palestinian liberation to let us know about them by emailing us at samidoun@samidoun.net.

*Photo: Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance*

The Phoenix branch of the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA) led an action at the entrance of the Ben Shapiro speaking tour event in Phoenix, Arizona. on Thursday, August 16. Ben Shapiro is a young heartthrob of the “new conservative” movement and one of the most visible/influential voices of the american right. He is currently on a speaking tour of the U.S. and held a speaking event at Comerica Theatre in downtown Phoenix on Thursday, Aug. 16th at 8 p.m.

It is our duty as Palestine solidarity organizers and anti-fascists to show up when bigots come to our city/state to hold a spotlight to their repugnant platform. It is also our duty to confront the attendees in a way which plainly exposes the discriminatory and hateful ideas of the person they are supporting/giving a career to.

APSA has a particular beef with Ben Shapiro on the issue of Palestine. Here is just a small sampling of the many discriminatory and vile public comments Ben has made on the subject of Palestinians and Arabs:

“Israelis like to build. Arabs like to bomb crap and live in open sewage. This is not a difficult issue. #settlementsrock” – Ben Shapiro“Palestinian Arabs must be fought on their own terms: as a people dedicated to an evil cause.” – Ben Shapiro

As the attendees waited in line to enter the venue, we displayed signs which spelled out verifiable Ben Shapiro quotes about Palestine, Israel, and Arabs. Population-level generalizations, built on his own staunch Zionist identity, are hardly a pursuit of intellectualism or truth seeking. Furthermore, spreading these irresponsible and hateful ideas only assists in further cementing the right’s defacto support for Israeli policies of aggression toward the Palestinian population. Our goal was to execute a clear and pointed agitation campaign while rallying our community to oppose all forms of bigotry when it goes out on a lucrative cross-country tour.

Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance (APSA) is a state-wide group advocating for Palestine human rights and justice. We offer solidarity through various campaigns and direct action to the Palestinian cause for liberation from the brutal and ongoing Israeli occupation. We also work to expose and educate our community about the Israel-U.S. military/law enforcement/security apparatuses on a local level, along the borderlands.

24 August, Chicago: Report from the Frontlines – Delegation to Palestine

21 August 2018

Friday, 24 August
6:30 pm
Grace Place
8145 Grace Pl
Chicago, IL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/287671055142329/

Join the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) in Chicago, as we share our reports from our all Palestinian & Arab delegation to Palestine this summer!

Our reports focus on answering:

– Who are the leading organizations in Palestine defending political prisoners, preserving culture, resisting land theft, and more?

– What are the increasingly repressive conditions they face from Israeli occupiers? ?

– And how can we support them?

We look forward to seeing you there!
Until Liberation & Return, USPCN

22 August, NYC: Rally to Defend Khan al-Ahmar

21 August 2018

Wednesday, 22 August
5:00 pm
5th Ave and 72nd St
Brooklyn, NY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2106740442922880/

Palestinian Bedouin village Khan Al Ahmar is under imminent threat of being destroyed by Israel, as the nakba continues. Khan Al Ahmar is situated between two ILLEGAL israeli settlements and its population of about 200 people were forced to resettle here after Israeli forces took over the land they lived in prior. The Zionist army has already went to Khan Al-Ahmar with bulldozers ready to demolish people’s livelihood, but the residents of the village protested the demolition until they were beaten and arrested.

This forced eviction and population transfer and destruction of life and infrastructure is Israel’s way of maintaining the Zionist dream that seeks to completely wipe out Palestine. The reason Palestinians are being evicted from their own land again is due to the expansion of these settlements which have been declared illegal in every court.

While demolition plans are on hold, we must make it clear that all Palestinians and the international community are watching and we will not allow Israel to continue to seize our land and disenfranchise our people!

Palestinian student ordered to administrative detention on scheduled day of release

19 August 2018

Her family was awaiting the release of Palestinian prisoner Fidaa Akhalil, from the village of Beit Ummar near al-Khalil on Friday, 17 August. However, instead of being released after serving a 95-day prison sentence, she was ordered to six months in administrative detention without charge or trial. Her family waited in Tulkarem at an Israeli roadblock for her release, only to be told by an occupation army officer that their daughter would be jailed arbitrarily for at least six months.

She was seized from her family home by Israeli occupation forces on 29 May; she had previously been jailed by the Israeli occupation for six months in 2015. On both occasions, she was accused of “incitement” for posting about politics on Facebook and other social media accounts. In her most recent arrest, she was ordered jailed for 95 days, with note made of her status as a former political prisoner.

She is a third-year student at the Open University and is currently being held in HaSharon prison. Akhalil is one of nearly 450 Palestinians held without charge or trial under administrative detention, out of approximately 6,000 Palestinian political prisoners. She and Khalida Jarrar, Palestinian leftist, feminist parliamentarian, are two women administrative detainees.

Administrative detention orders are issued from one to six months at a time and are indefinitely renewable. This means that Palestinians can spend years jailed without charge or trial under repeatedly renewed administrative detention orders.

Since 15 February, Palestinians have boycotted the occupation military courts issuing administrative detention orders, demanding that the practice be abolished. Several Palestinians are currently on hunger strike against administrative detention, demanding their freedom. Abbas Abu Aliya, Saddam Awad and Khaled Battat are all on hunger strike since 12 August and now entering their second week without food.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges the escalation of protests and actions in solidarity with the struggle to end administrative detention. Administrative detention is a colonial weapon used to separate effective leaders from the Palestinian people through arbitrary imprisonment without charge or trial. It is also a form of psychological torture for both prisoners and their families, denying them even the knowledge of when or if they will be released. We urge the immediate end of the practice of administrative detention and the release of all Palestinian prisoners. As the prisoners boycott the military courts, it is our responsibility to escalate boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns to isolate the Israeli state that confiscates Palestinian land, rights and freedom.

Imprisoned Palestinian journalist reiterates call for solidarity

19 August 2018

Imprisoned Palestinian journalist and director of Al-Quds TV Alaa Rimawi said on Sunday, 19 August that the arrests carried out by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian media and journalists are part of a comprehensive attack on Palestinian media, preventing it from doing its work and minimizing its role in publicizing Palestinian realities.

In a statement released by his family and lawyer, Rimawi said that this agenda was clear during the interrogation sessions he was subjected to personally in the past two days. He also noted the cases of journalist Ali Dar Ali, arrested by occupation forces, and the administrative detention of journalist Mohammed Muna, saying that these attacks reflected the same purpose.

Rimawi said in his statement that the occupation considers terms like “martyr,” “occupation,” “steadfastness,” “confrontation” and “resistance” to be “inciting” content. He also noted that the arrests of journalists is meant to keep the situation in Palestine from being covered in the media. “The occupation is carrying out a policy of intimidation with its police and intelligence services. This is clear and obvious, bringing forward the names of journalists to continue these detentions, a threat against every free Palestinian journalists.”

He called for a unified position in support of Palestinian journalists from the International Federation of Journalists, Arab Press Union and other concerned bodies around the world to come together with a unified goal of protecting Palestinian journalists under occupation.

Occupation arrests of Palestinian journalists like Dar Ali, Muna, Lama Khater and others, and the forcible closure of media institutions by military bodies have escalated recently, under various pretexts and charges.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network joins the call of Palestinian journalists for greater global solidarity against the ongoing attacks of the Israeli occupation. From the International Federation of Journalists to Reporters without Borders, international voices who are concerned with human rights of reporters have a responsibility to defend Palestinians facing colonial imprisonment for reporting the reality of apartheid, colonization and injustice. The imprisonment of Palestinian journalists can also not be separated from the killing of Palestinian journalists like Yaser Murtaja and Ahmad Abu Hussein in Gaza in the Great March of Return.

The attacks on Palestinian journalists – including student journalists – also underline the importance of the boycott of Israel, including the cultural and academic boycott. So long as Palestinians – including Palestinian journalists – are not free, the Israeli state and its associated institutions must be isolated by people of conscience and human rights defenders around the world. Freedom for all Palestinian prisoners – Freedom for Palestine!

New Samidoun chapter launches in Gothenburg, Sweden!

18 August 2018

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network is excited to announce that a new chapter has joined our network – Samidoun Göteborg (in Gothenburg, Sweden!)

Formed as Frihet at Ahed Tamimi (Freedom for Ahed Tamimi), the group decided to continue organizing with their focus on the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners as an essential aspect of the struggle for a free and liberated Palestine.

Samidoun Göteborg will be hosting a public event on 15 September as part of the Radikal Bokmässa 2018. Writer and activist Torkil Lauesen and Samidoun international coordinator Charlotte Kates will discuss imperialism and international solidarity.

Samidoun now has chapters and organizers in the United States (with a very active New York group), Sweden, Canada, Greece, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Lebanon and Palestine. We are thrilled to welcome our comrades in Gothenburg and we look forward to struggling together for liberation and return!

Samidoun welcomes new chapters and organizers around the world. If you are interested in forming a Samidoun chapter, or if your organization is interested in becoming officially part of the Samidoun network, please contact us at samidoun@samidoun.net.

Free Palestine! Freedom for all Palestinian prisoners!

The statement of Samidoun Göteborg:

After a short break following the release of Ahed Tamimi, we can now reveal that the Frihet at Ahed Tamimi initiative in Gothenburg is becoming a local affiliate of Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Samidoun Göteborg. We will continue our work to support Palestinian liberation with a focus on Palestinian political prisoners and we will continue to work for boundless solidarity with the oppressed and exploited, through letter writing, public events and other activities. Ahed Tamimi herself was released only from official imprisonment; she was returned to a life under occupation, and Ahed calls on us in her own words to continue the struggle for all Palestinian prisoners’ freedom as a critically important part of the fight for a free Palestine. Keep following us here, spread our page and invite your friends, and organize for the liberation of Palestine!

Freedom for all Palestinian prisoners!

Freedom for Palestine!

Efter ett kort uppehåll, och efter Ahed Tamimis frigivning, kan vi nu avslöja att initiativet Frihet åt Ahed Tamimi Göteborg blir en lokalgrupp i Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Samidoun Göteborg. Vi kommer att fortsätta vårt solidaritetsarbete för Palestinas befrielse med fokus på palestinska politiska fångar, vi kommer att fortsätta arbeta för gränslös solidaritet med förtryckta och exploaterade, genom brevskrivarträffar, offentliga samlingar och andra aktiviteter. Ahed Tamimi själv frigavs endast från administrativt förvar tillbaka till ett liv under ockupation, och Ahed själv uppmanar oss med sina egna ord att fortsätta kampen för alla palestinska fångar som en viktig del av kampen för ett fritt Palestina. Fortsätt följa oss här, sprid vår sida och bjud in dina vänner till den, och aktivera dig för Palestinas befrielse!

Frihet åt alla palestinska politiska fångar!
Frihet åt Palestina!

A Belgian artist imprisoned by Israel: Free Mustapha Awad!

17 August 2018

Many concerned friends of Mustapha Awad and supporters of Palestine have been worried about him and his whereabouts for weeks. The situation is highly troubling – he has been in Israeli occupation custody, under harsh interrogation for 20 out of the 24 hours of the day. Today, he remains imprisoned by the Israeli occupation. The following statement was released by Raj’een Dabkeh Troupe and the “Free Mustapha” committee, launched today in Belgium. We urge all friends and supporters of Mustapha and of Palestine to distribute this widely, sign on to the statement, share the Facebook page and act for his freedom.

A Belgian artist imprisoned by Israel: Free Mustapha!

We are very concerned about the fate of our friend Mustapha Awad, a young artist and a Belgian worker of Palestinian origin. Mustapha was arrested by the Israeli authorities on 19 July 2018. There are very serious reasons to fear that he is or will be subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment during his detention.

Mr. Awad is a Belgian citizen of Palestinian origin; he was born in Ain el-Helweh refugee camp in Lebanon. Mr Awad was recognized as a refugee in Belgium. Since becoming a Belgian citizen, he decided to visit Palestine, his ancestral homeland.

He was arrested on the border between Jordan and Palestine by the Israeli armed forces who control the Palestinian borders.

Since then, he has been held in custody and interrogated.

For two weeks, Mustafa did not have a lawyer; no one could defend him or demand that his most basic rights be respected, such as having contact with his family members.

He only saw the Belgian consul on August 8, after 20 days of interrogation. On August 16, he appeared in court, but was again sent back to an Israeli interrogation center.

This situation is unacceptable. Palestinians imprisoned in Israel are subjected to torture and all kinds of violence during interrogations. This violence includes: physical assault, severe psychological pressure, prolonged sleep deprivation, etc. This abuse is legal under Israeli law. According to our sources, Mustapha was interrogated for 20 hours in a row at a time: three teams of interrogators took turns. In addition, Mustapha Awad has health problems and suffers from chronic, unbearable lower back pain.

Mr. Awad works in Belgium, has many friends and is a volunteer in several associations. He is an artist, performs on stage and is also a cultural worker and human rights defender. He is committed to the Palestinian cause.

As co-founder of the popular debkeh (Palestinian dance) troupe Raj’een, he has performed with the group at numerous events in Belgium and across Europe. Mustapha is a son, brother and friend of many – his family in Belgium, his family in Lebanon, his dear friends and a large community around the world that knows and supports his work.

Mustapha Awad must be released. He did not commit any crime. We are counting on Belgium to shoulder its responsibilities and protect its citizens against this arbitrary arrest and against all forms of torture and inhuman treatment.

Mustapha has always acted in defense of the human rights of Palestinians facing unjust imprisonment. Today, it is time to defend the rights of Mustapha.

Raj’een dabkeh troupe and the “Free Mustapha” Committee

Take Action!

You can help build the campaign to free imprisoned artist Mustapha Awad. Please join us by taking the following actions:

Sign on to the statement here as a group or an individual: https://goo.gl/forms/DhqopQRBo5tNGNZj1
Join the Facebook page –> Free Mustapha Awad الحرية لمصطفى عوض https://www.facebook.com/freemustapha
Share this statement, the action call and the Facebook page with your friends, comrades and fellow supporters of Palestine. The campaign will be issuing more calls for action – sign up to stay involved!

Un artiste belge emprisonné en Israël : libérons Mustapha !

Nous sommes très inquiets à propos du sort de notre ami Mustapha Awad, un jeune artiste et travailleur belge d’origine palestinienne. Mustapha a été arrêté en date du 19 juillet 2018 par les autorités israéliennes. Il y a des raisons sérieuses de craindre qu’il ne soit victime de tortures et de traitements inhumains et dégradants durant sa détention.

Monsieur Awad est citoyen belge d’origine palestinienne ; il est né dans le camp de réfugiés d’Ain el-Helweh au Liban. Monsieur Awad a été reconnu réfugié en Belgique. Devenu belge depuis lors, il a décidé de visiter la Palestine, la terre de ses parents.

À la frontière entre la Jordanie et la Palestine, il a été arrêté par les forces armées israéliennes qui contrôlent les frontières palestiniennes.

Depuis lors, il a été maintenu en garde à vue et est soumis à des interrogatoires.

Durant deux semaines, Mustafa n’a pas eu d’avocat, personne ne pouvait le défendre ou exiger qu’on respecte ses droits les plus élémentaires comme par exemple entrer en contact avec sa famille.

Il a seulement vu le consul de Belgique le 8 août, après 20 jours d’interrogatoire. Le 16 août, il a dû comparaître devant un tribunal, mais a de nouveau été renvoyé dans un centre d’interrogation israélien.

Cette situation est inacceptable. Les Palestiniens emprisonnés en Israël sont soumis à la torture et à toutes sortes de violences, lors des interrogatoires. Cette violence comprend : agressions physiques, pressions psychologiques sévères, privation prolongée de sommeil, etc. Ces mauvais traitements sont légaux selon le droit israélien. Selon nos sources, Mustapha a subi des interrogations pendant 20 heures d’affilée : trois équipes d’interrogateurs se relayaient. En outre, Mustapha Awad a des problèmes de santé et souffre régulièrement d’insupportables douleurs lombaires.

Monsieur Awad travaille en Belgique, a de nombreux amis et est bénévole dans plusieurs associations. Il est artiste, se produit sur scène, il est également travailleur culturel et défenseur des droits de l’homme. Il est engagé pour la cause palestinienne.

En tant que cofondateur de la troupe populaire de debkeh (danse palestinienne) Raj’een, il s’est produit avec le groupe lors de multiples événements en Belgique et partout en Europe. Mustapha est le fils, le frère et l’ami de beaucoup – sa famille en Belgique, sa famille au Liban, ses chers amis et toute une nombreuse communauté à travers le monde connaissent et soutiennent tous son travail.

Mustapha Awad doit être libéré. Il n’a commis aucun crime. Nous comptons sur la Belgique pour assumer ses responsabilités et protéger ses citoyens contre cette arrestation arbitraire et contre toute forme de tortures et traitements inhumains.

Mustapha a toujours agi en défense des droits de l’homme des Palestiniens confrontés à ces emprisonnements injustes. Aujourd’hui, il est temps de défendre les droits de Mustapha.

Raj’een dabkeh groupe et le Comité « Free Mustapha »

Belgische artiest gevangen in Israël: vrijheid voor Mustapha!

We zijn zeer bezorgd over het lot van onze vriend Mustapha Awad, een jonge artiest en Belgische arbeider van Palestijnse afkomst. Op 19 juli werd Mustapha gearresteerd door de Israëlische autoriteiten. Er zijn ernstige redenen om te vrezen dat hij tijdens zijn gevangenschap wordt gemarteld en onderworpen aan een wrede, onmenselijke en mensonterende behandeling.

Mr. Awad is een Belgisch staatsburger van Palestijnse afkomst; hij is geboren in het vluchtelingenkamp Ain el-Helweh in Libanon. Mr Awad werd in België als vluchteling erkend. Nadat hij Belgisch staatsburger werd, besloot hij om Palestina te bezoeken, het thuisland van zijn voorouders.

Hij werd gearresteerd bij de Jordaans-Palestijnse grens, die wordt gecontroleerd door de Israëlische strijdkrachten.

Sindsdien wordt hij in hechtenis gehouden en ondervraagd.

Twee welen lang had Mustapha geen advocaat. Niemand kon hem verdedigen of eisen dat zijn meest basale rechten worden nageleefd, zoals contact hebben met zijn familie.

Pas op 8 augustus zag hij de Belgische consul, na 20 dagen van ondervraging. Op 16 augustus verscheen hij in de rechtszaal, maar werd teruggestuurd naar een Israëlisch ondervragingscentrum.

Deze situatie is onacceptabel. Palestijnse gevangenen in Israël worden tijdens ondervragingen onderworpen aan martelingen en andere vormen van geweld. Dit geweld bestaat uit fysiek geweld, ernstige psychologische druk, langdurig slaaptekort, etc. Dit misbruik is legaal volgens de Israëlische wet. Volgens onze bronnen werd Mustapha gedurende twintig uur achtereenvolgens ondervraagd waarbij drie teams van ondervragers elkaar afwisselden. Daarbij komt dat Mustapha Awad gezondheidsproblemen heeft en last heeft van chronische rug en nekpijn.

Mr. Awad werkt in België, heeft veel vrienden en doet vrijwilligerswerk voor verschillende verenigingen. Hij is een artiest, treedt op, is een cultureel werker en een voorvechter van mensenrechten. Hij is toegewijd aan de Palestijnse zaak.

Als medeoprichter van de dabkeh (Palestijnse dans) groep Raj’een heeft hij diverse optredens gedaan in België en Europa. Mustapha is een zoon, broer en vriend van velen: zijn familie in België, zijn familie in Libanon, zijn dierbare vrienden en een grote wereldwijde gemeenschap kennen hem en steunen zijn werk.

Mustapha Awad moet worden vrijgelaten. Hij heeft geen enkele misdaad begaan. We rekenen op België om verantwoordelijkheid te dragen en staatsburgers te beschermen tegen deze arbitraire arrestatie en alle vormen van marteling en slechte behandeling.

Mustapha heeft altijd de mensenrechten verdedigd van Palestijnen die onrechtvaardig zijn opgesloten. Nu is het de tijd om Mustapha’s rechten te verdedigen.

Raj’een dabkeh groep en het “Free Mustapha” comité

Översatt från dabkehgruppen Raj’een och “Free Mustapha”-kommittén

Vi är väldigt oroliga över hur framtiden ser ut för Mustapha Awad, en ung konstnär och belgisk arbetare med palestinskt ursprung. Mustapha arresterades av israeliska myndigheter den 19:e juli 2018. Det finns väldigt stark skäl att befara att han har utsatts eller kommer att utsättas för tortyr och grym, inhuman och nedvärderande behandling under hans häktning.

Awad är en belgisk medborgare av palestinskt påbrå; han föddes i flyktinglägret Ain el-Helweh i Libanon och erkändes som flykting i Belgien. Efter att ha blivit belgisk medborgare beslutade han att besöka Palestina, sin familjs forna hemland.

Han arresterades på gränsen mellan Jordan och Palestina av Israels väpnade styrkor som kontrollerar de palestinska gränserna. Sedan dess har han hållits häktad och förhörts.

Under två veckors tid hade Mustapha ingen advokat; ingen kunde försvara honom eller kräva att hans mest grundläggande rättigheter skulle respekteras, som att få ta kontakt med sin familj.

Först den 8:e augusti fick han träffa den belgiske konsuln, efter 20 dagar av förhör. Den 16:e augusti infann han sig i domstolen, men skickades återigen tillbaka till ett israeliskt förhörscenter.

Denna situation är oacceptabel. Palestinier i fångenskap i Israel utsätts för tortyr och alla sorters våld under förhör. Detta våld inkluderar fysiska angrepp, allvarlig psykologisk press, lång påtvingad sömnbrist, etc. Denna misshandel är laglig i israelisk rätt. Enligt våra källor förhördes Mustapha vid ett tillfälle i 20 timmar i sträck: tre förhörsgrupper turades om. Utöver det har Mustapha hälsoproblem och lider av kronisk allvarlig smärta i ländryggen.

Awad arbetar i Belgien, har många vänner och ideellt engagerad i många sammanhang. Han är konstnär, uppträder på scen. Han är en kulturarbetare och människorättsförsvarare hängiven den palestinska saken.

Som medgrundare till den populära gruppen Raj’een, som dansar den palestinska folkdansen dabkeh, har han uppträtt i grupp på flertalet arrangemang i Belgien och över hela Europa. Mustapha är son, bror och vän till många – sin familj i Belgien, sin familj i Libanon, sin kära vänner och stora gemenskap runt om i världen som känner till och stödjer hans arbete.

Mustapha Awad måste släppas fri. Han har inte begått något brott. Vi räknar med att Belgien axlar sitt ansvar och försvarar sina medborgare mot godtyckliga arresteringar och mot alla former av tortyr och omänsklig behandling.

Mustapha har alltid försvarat orättvist fängslade palestiniers mänskliga rättigheter. Idag är det dags att Mustaphas rättigheter försvaras.

Dabkehgruppen Raj’een och “Free Mustapha”-kommittén”

Du kan agera för att stödja kampanjen för konstnären Mustapha Awads frihet! Delta genom följande steg:

– Skriv under uttalandet som grupp eller individ: https://goo.gl/forms/DhqopQRBo5tNGNZj1
– Följ Facebook-sidan Free Mustapha Awad الحرية لمصطفى عوض https://www.facebook.com/freemustapha
– Dela detta uttalande, uppmaningen till handling och Facebook-sidan med bekanta, kamrater och andra palestinavänner. Kampanjen kommer uppdateras med nya handlingsförslag – följ oss och vårt internationela nätverk för mer information!

اعتقال تعسفي بحق فنان فلسطيني من قبل السلطات الإسرائيلية

بعد أن اعتقلت السلطات الإسرائيلية مصطفى خالد عوض، الفنان البلجيكي الجنسية، المنحدر من أصول فلسطينية، في 19 يوليو/ تموز.

فنحن نشعر بقلق تجاه مصيره الذي مازال مجهولًا حتى اللحظة، حيث إن صديقنا عوض يتعرض للعنف والتعذيب والمعاملة اللا إنسانية والمهينة من خلال أساليب التحقيق الخطيرة التي يعتمدها المحققون خلال فترة احتجازه، وإزاء هذا فنحن متخوفون من تطور هذا الأمر.

الفنان مصطفى مواطن بلجيكي، من أصول فلسطينية، ولد في صيدا جنوب لبنان، ومنذ أن أصبح مصطفى مواطنًا بلجيكيًا، قرر زيارة فلسطين، موطن أجداده.

وخلال زيارته لفلسطين تم اعتقاله على الحدود الواقعة بين الأردن وفلسطين، من قبل القوات الإسرائيلية التي تسيطر على الحدود الفلسطينية ومنذ ذلك الحين، تم احتجازه واستجوابه لمدة أسبوعين، لم يكن لمصطفى محام للاطلاع على سير التحقيق والدفاع عنه، كما أنه من غير الممكن وجود أي شخص حتى يدافع عنه، أو يطالب باحترام حقوقه الأساسية، أو الاتصال بأحد من أفراد عائلته.

و قد التقى القنصل البلجيكي في 8 أغسطس/ آب، بعد 20 يومًا من الإستجواب. وفي 16 أغسطس / آب، مثل أمام المحكمة، ولكن تم إعادته مرة أخرى إلى مركز التحقيق الإسرائيلي.

هذا ما يتعرض له الفلسطينيون المسجونون في إسرائيل للتعذيب كما أنهم يتعرضون لشتى أنواع العنف أثناء الاستجواب، الذي يشمل: الاعتداء الجسدي، والضغط النفسي الشديد، والحرمان من النوم لفترات طويلة، وما إلى ذلك.

هذا الاعتداء غير قانوني بموجب الحقوق الإنسانية.
ووفقا لمصادرنا فقد تم استجواب مصطفى لمدة 20 ساعة متتالية في وقت واحد: تناوبت ثلاث فرق من المحققين للتحقيق معه، بالإضافة إلى ذلك، فإن مصطفى عوض يعاني من آلام شديدة أسفل الظهر.

إن مصطفى يعمل في بلجيكا بشكل قانوني ولديه العديد من الأصدقاء، وهو متطوع في عدة جمعيات، فهو فنان يؤدي دورًا في المسرح، وهو أيضًا ناشط ثقافي، ومدافع عن حقوق الإنسان، وهو ملتزم بالقضية الفلسطينية. كما أنه شارك في تأسيس فرقة راجعين للفنون والدبكة الشعبية ومن مؤسسين الجالية الفلسطينية في بلجيكا، فقد كان يشارك مع الفرقة في العديد من الفاعليات في بلجيكا، وفي أنحاء أوروبا.

مصطفى ابن وشقيق وصديق للكثيرين في بلجيكا. هناك عدد كبير من أصدقائه الأعزاء، و من أفراد المجتمع، في جميع أنحاء العالم يعرفه ويدعم عمله.

لذلك فنحن نطالب بالإفراج العاجل عن مصطفى، كما أننا في فرقة راجعين نطلب من جميع الفنانين الفلسطينين، والبلجيك دعم الصديق الفنان مصطفى عوض.

إن مصطفى لم يرتكب أية جريمة، و نحن نعتمد على الدولة البلجيكية لتحمل مسؤولياتها تجاه مواطنيها، وحماية مصطفى من هذا الاعتقال التعسفي، ومن جميع أشكال التعذيب والمعاملة اللاإنسانية.

لطالما كان مصطفى مدافعًا عن حقوق الإنسان، وحقوق الفلسطينيين الذين يواجهون السجن غير العادل.

اليوم حان الوقت للدفاع عن حقوق مصطفى.

(عائلة مصطفى وفرقة راجعين للفنون و الدبكة الشعبية و لجنة المطالبة بالافراج عن الفنان مصطفى عوض)

١) التوقيع على العريضة. https://goo.gl/forms/DhqopQRBo5tNGNZj1

٢) شارك في صفحة الحملة على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي فيسبوك ” الحرية لمصطفى عوض”. https://www.facebook.com/freemustapha

Λευτεριά στον Μουσταφά Αουάντ!

Για το Δίκτυο Παλαιστίνιων πολιτικών κρατουμένων Samidoun
Μέτωπο Αντίστασης και Αλληλεγγύης για την Παλαιστίνη
«Γασσάν Καναφάνι»

Eνας Βέλγος καλλιτέχνης είναι φυλακισμένος από το Ισραήλ: Λευτεριά στον Μουσταφά!

Ανησυχούμε πολύ για τη μοίρα του φίλου μας Μουσταφά Αουάντ, ενός νεαρού καλλιτέχνη και Βέλγου εργάτη παλαιστινιακής καταγωγής. Ο Μουσταφά συνελήφθη από τις ισραηλινές αρχές στις 19 Ιουλίου 2018. Υπάρχουν πολύ σοβαροί λόγοι για τους οποίους φοβούμαστε ότι θα υποστεί ή θα υποβληθεί σε βασανιστήρια και σκληρή, απάνθρωπη και εξευτελιστική μεταχείριση κατά τη διάρκεια της κράτησής του.

Ο Μουσταφά Αουάντ είναι Βέλγος πολίτης παλαιστινιακής καταγωγής που γεννήθηκε σε προσφυγικό καταυλισμό στο Λίβανο και αναγνωρίστηκε ως πρόσφυγας στο Βέλγιο. Από τότε που έγινε Βέλγος πολίτης, πήρε την απόφαση να επισκεφθεί την Παλαιστίνη, την πατρίδα του.

Συνελήφθη στα σύνορα μεταξύ Ιορδανίας και Παλαιστίνης από τις ισραηλινές ένοπλες δυνάμεις που ελέγχουν τα Παλαιστινιακά σύνορα. Έκτοτε κρατείται και ανακρίνεται

Για δύο εβδομάδες, ο Μουσταφά δεν είχε δικηγόρο χωρίς κανείς να μπορεί να τον υπερασπιστεί ή να ζητήσει να γίνουν σεβαστά τα πιο βασικά του δικαιώματα, όπως η επαφή με τα μέλη της οικογένειάς του. Είδε μόνο τον Βέλγο πρόξενο στις 8 Αυγούστου, μετά από 20 ημέρες ανάκρισης. Στις 16 Αυγούστου, εμφανίστηκε στο δικαστήριο, αλλά ξανά στάλθηκε σε ισραηλινό κέντρο ανακρίσεων.

Αυτή η κατάσταση είναι απαράδεκτη. Οι Παλαιστίνιοι που φυλακίζονται στο Ισραήλ υποβάλλονται σε βασανιστήρια και κάθε είδους βία κατά τη διάρκεια των ανακρίσεων. Αυτή η βία περιλαμβάνει: φυσική επίθεση, σοβαρή ψυχολογική πίεση, παρατεταμένη στέρηση ύπνου κλπ. Η κατάχρηση αυτή είναι νόμιμη σύμφωνα με το ισραηλινό δίκαιο. Σύμφωνα με τις πηγές μας, ο Μουσταφά ανακρίθηκε για 20 ώρες στη σειρά κάθε φορά: τρεις ομάδες ανακριτών ακολούθησαν στροφές. Επιπλέον, ο Μουσταφά Αουάντ έχει προβλήματα υγείας και πάσχει από χρόνιο, αφόρητο πόνο στην πλάτη.

Ο Μουσταφά εργάζεται στο Βέλγιο, έχει πολλούς φίλους και είναι εθελοντής σε αρκετές ενώσεις. Είναι καλλιτέχνης, εμφανίζεται στη σκηνή και είναι επίσης καλλιτεχνικός και υπερασπιστής των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Είναι αφοσιωμένος στον παλαιστινιακό σκοπό.

Ως συνιδρυτής του λαϊκού debkeh (παλαιστινιακό χορευτικό) Raj’een, έχει παρουσιάσει με την ομάδα σε πολυάριθμες εκδηλώσεις στο Βέλγιο και σε ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη. Ο Μουσταφά είναι γιος, αδελφός και φίλος πολλών – της οικογένειας του στο Βέλγιο, της οικογένειάς του στο Λίβανο, των αγαπημένων του φίλων και μιας μεγάλης κοινότητας σε όλο τον κόσμο που γνωρίζει και στηρίζει το έργο του.

Ο Μουσταφά Αουάντ πρέπει να απελευθερωθεί! Δεν διέπραξε κανένα έγκλημα. Βασίζουμε στο Βέλγιο να αναλάβει τις ευθύνες του και να προστατεύσει τους πολίτες του από αυτή την αυθαίρετη σύλληψη και από κάθε μορφή βασανιστηρίων και απάνθρωπης μεταχείρισης.

Ο Μουσταφά έχει λειτουργήσει πάντα για την υπεράσπιση των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων των Παλαιστινίων που αντιμετωπίζουν άδικη φυλάκιση. Σήμερα, είναι καιρός να υπερασπιστούμε εμείς τα δικαιώματα του Μουσταφά.

Του Raj’een dabkeh και της επιτροπής “Free Mustapha”

SAMIDOUN
Αναλάβετε δράση!
Μπορείτε να βοηθήσετε στην εκστρατεία για τον ελεύθερο φυλακισμένο καλλιτέχνη Μουσταφά Αουάντ. Ελάτε μαζί μας ακολουθώντας τις παρακάτω ενέργειες:

Συνδεθείτε εδώ ως ομάδα ή άτομο: https://goo.gl/forms/DhqopQRBo5tNGNZj1
Εγγραφείτε στη σελίδα του Facebook -> Free Mustapha Awad الحرية لمصطفى عوض https://www.facebook.com/freemustapha
Μοιραστείτε αυτή την ανακοίνωση, την κλήση δράσης και τη σελίδα του Facebook με τους φίλους, τους συντρόφους και τους συμπατριώτες σας. Η εκστρατεία θα εκδώσει περισσότερες προσκλήσεις για δράση – υπογράψτε επάνω για να μείνετε εμπλεκόμενοι!

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A Belgian artist imprisoned by Israel: Free Mustapha!

Take Action!

Un artiste belge emprisonné en Israël : libérons Mustapha !

Belgische artiest gevangen in Israël: vrijheid voor Mustapha!

Översatt från dabkehgruppen Raj’een och “Free Mustapha”-kommittén

اعتقال تعسفي بحق فنان فلسطيني من قبل السلطات الإسرائيلية

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