Protests in Nablus and Beirut demand freedom for Jarrar and Saafin

7 July 2017

Dozens of women in Nablus took to the streets to participate in a rally demanding the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar, Palestinian political leader and leftist, feminist parliamentarian, and Khitam Saafin, the president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees. Both were seized by Israeli occupation forces in violent pre-dawn raids on their Ramallah homes on Sunday, 2 July.

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees in Nablus organized a protest to demand their release; participants carried photos and posters of Jarrar, Saafin and other women Palestinian prisoners, demanding their liberation and an end to the political arrest campaign targeting Palestinian leaders.

Esmat Shakshir of the UPWC spoke at the rally, saying that the occupation is exploiting Arab and international preoccupation with regional wars to intensify its violations of Palestinian rights. She emphasized that women are half of Palestinian society and an essential element in the struggle. Israel believes that if women are frightened, society as a whole can be silenced, but these arrests do not frighten us, Shakshir said. “We are committed to the cause of our homeland. We want freedom and the occupation must end.”

Another event in support of Jarrar and Saafin took place in Beirut, Lebanon, outside the headquarters of ESCWA, organized by the Progressive Women’s Union. Representatives of Palestinian and Lebanese political parties and organizations participated in the rally, including many women from the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

Samira Salah spoke at the event, denouncing the imprisonment of Palestinians by the Israeli occupation and demanding the liberation of all Palestinian prisoners. She urged Arab and international action to free Jarrar, Saafin and fellow prisoners.

Palestinian professor Essam al-Ashqar ordered to two more months in administrative detention

7 July 2017

Palestinian professor Dr. Essam al-Ashqar’s imprisonment without charge or trial was extended for two months for the third time in a row, despite his difficult health situation.

Al-Ashqar, 57, from Nablus, has been imprisoned without charge or trial under administrative detention since 24 November 2016. The physics professor at An-Najah University in Nablus was seized by occupation forces in a pre-dawn raid on his home. He was shortly thereafter ordered to administrative detention for four months. The order was then renewed for another four months; now it has been renewed for two months.

Administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable. There are nearly 500 Palestinians held without charge or trial under administrative detention. His imprisonment without charge or trial has been extended repeatedly despite his dangerous health condition.

In April, his health condition worsened while he was held in the Ramle prison clinic; he was transferred to the Ramle prison clinic within two weeks of his arrest due to his fragile health.

Al-Ashqar is one of 15 prisoners held consistently in the Ramle prison clinic, struggling against medical neglect and mistreatment. He is imprisoned in Ramle with Mohammed Marash, Khaled Shawish, Mutassam Raddad, Bassam al-Sayeh, Ayman al-Kurd, Ashraf Abu Huda, Hussein Yousef Dardan, Izzat Turkmen, Saleh Omar Saleh, Mutassem Abu Hadid, Mansour Muqtada, Mohammed Abu Khader and Faisal Shaheen. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission warned on 5 July that the health and lives of prisoners in the Ramle clinic remain at risk, especially given crowded conditions in the clinic and the constant risk of medical neglect.

Al-Ashqar has been seized by Israeli occupation forces on several previous occasions and spent over two years in administrative detention in the past. Among other health conditions, he suffers from chronic high blood pressure, headaches, stiffness and narrow arteries. He has experienced strokes in the past and is at extreme risk of future strokes and resulting disability.

He is married with six children and studied in the United States to receive his Ph.D. in physics. He has participated in or written hundreds of studies that have been published in scientific journals.

Al-Ashqar’s family once again expressed their deep concern for his life, urging his immediate release, upon the reports of the renewal of his administrative detention. They emphasized that the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for his health and life, urging international scientific and humanitarian institutions to speak up about his case and demand his release.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network demands the immediate release of Essam al-Ashqar from Israeli prison. In his deteriorating health condition, this respected physics professor is being held without charge or trial under administrative detention. He is accused of no crime even in the illegitimate military courts of the Israeli occupation and yet his detention has been renewed for the third time. We demand an end to the policy of administrative detention and the immediate release of all administrative detainees – and all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Muhammad Allan on 30th day of hunger strike for freedom

7 July 2017

Palestinian lawyer Muhammad Allan is now on his 30th day of hunger strike against his unjust imprisonment by the Israeli occupation. Allan, 33, earlier conducted a 66-day hunger strike in 2015 when he was imprisoned without charge or trial under administrative detention, winning his release in November 2015.

Now, he is once again imprisoned by Israeli occupation forces, and he launched his hunger strike on 8 June, the same day occupation forces invaded and ransacked his home in the village of Einabus near Nablus, seizing him. After a week of hunger strike, he was transferred to solitary confinement in Megiddo prison. He was then transferred to Shatta prison, then Gilboa prison and then returned to Megiddo, all in isolation. The Israel Prison Service uses frequent transfers as a form of pressure on Palestinian prisoners, particularly those on hunger strike.

On Wednesday, 5 July, the Salem Military Court once again extended his detention. On Sunday, the military court indicated that he will be charged with “incitement” for posting on social media about politics and for participating in demonstrations to support Palestinian prisoners and demand their freedom. He has declared that he is determined to strike until it is clear that he will not be ordered to administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial.

Allan has spent over three years in Israeli prisons over the years, under administrative detention and accused of membership in a prohibited organization, Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He is a practicing lawyer.

In New York City, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network will protest on Friday, 7 July for Allan’s release as he enters his 30th day of hunger strike. Protesters will also urge the boycott of Hewlett-Packard (HP), computer and printer products, as HP has multiple contracts to provide the technological infrrastructure for apartheid, including database services for Israeli prisons.

7 July, Berlin: Protest to free Khalida Jarrar and end Administrative Detention

5 July 2017

Friday, 7 July
6:30 pm
Breitscheidplatz (near the church)
Berlin, Germany

Organized by the Democratic Palestine Committees

Join the Democratic Palestine Committees for a protest in solidarity with imprisoned Palestinian leaders like Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin. We will demand an end to administrative detention without charge or trial and call for the freedom of all Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.

7 July, NYC: Protest to Free Muhammad Allan and #StopHP

5 July 2017

Friday, 7 July
5:30 pm
Best Buy Union Square
52 E. 14th St.
New York City
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1545093875549302/

On July 7, Muhammad Allan, a Palestinian attorney and political prisoner held by Israel, will reach his 30th day on a hunger strike demanding his immediate release.

Allan, 33, previously engaged in a 65-day hunger strike to win his freedom from administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial, winning his release in 2015.

Allan was seized once more by Israeli occupation forces, who invaded his home in the village of Einabus near Nablus on June 8, and once again launched a hunger strike.

On June 28, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies called for broad Palestinian and international support for Allan’s strike.

Stand with Allan to demand that Israel release him and all 6,200 Palestinian political prisoners, and that Hewlett Packard companies end their contracts with Israeli prisons and detention centers, occupation and security forces, and checkpoints and settlements.

Help build a growing international campaign to boycott HP over the companies’ support for Israeli crimes.

Support the Palestinian people, the Palestinian prisoners, the Palestinian Resistance, and the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.

From Belgium: Women in Solidarity with Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin

5 July 2017

*Photo: Myriam De Ly, Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine*

The following report is translated from Pour la Palestine, the website of Plate-Forme Charleroi-Palestine:

“Sol, sol, sol, … solidarité avec les femmes, du monde entier!”
(“Solidarity with the women of the whole world!”)

These were the words that resounded at the opening session of the Vie Féminine week of study on Tuesday, 4 July. Hundreds of women of diverse origins, including many young women, attended the annual meeting in Namur, Belgium.

This year, the theme of the event is “Weaving solidarity in an increasingly sexist and racist society.” Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine participated with a stand with information on Palestine, the BDS campaign and the boycott of Israel, and was met with a warm reception.

The campaigners particularly drew attention to the recent arrests of Khalida Jarrar, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and Khitam Saafin, president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and to the boycott of Israel.

A number of women stood to take a photo with signs in French and English demanding the release of the two Palestinian leaders and showing support for the BDS campaign.

Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine published copies of the report by Richard Falk and Virginia Tiley, “Israeli practices towards the Palestinian people and the question of apartheid,” and distributed copies; they also distributed their “Boycott Guide” as well as stickers for sticking on Israeli apartheid products for sale.

Below are the photos calling for the release of Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin, by Myriam De Ly of Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine:

Israeli military court extends detention of Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin as international protest grows

5 July 2017

The detention of Palestinian women leaders Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin was extended by the Ofer military court on Wednesday, 5 July, reported Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. At the military court hearing, Jarrar’s detention was extended for six days and Saafin’s for 72 hours.

No evidence was brought forward; instead, the military prosecution demanded more time to investigate the five computers seized from Jarrar’s family home.

Saafin and Jarrar were seized by Israeli occupation forces who invaded their family homes in the Ramallah area in pre-dawn raids on 2 July 2017. They recounted the experience of the raids to Addameer lawyer Muna Naddaf, who said that the two were taken to Ofer military court for interrogation after being seized. Both were only interrogated for 30 minutes before being placed in a small room with no windows for four hours. By 4:00 pm on the same day, the two were transferred to HaSharon prison, one of the two prisons where dozens of Palestinian women are held.

Khalida Jarrar is a prominent Palestinian national leader. A leftist, feminist parliamentarian in the Palestinian Legislative Council, she is also vice-chair and the former executive director of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association as well as chair of the PLC’s Prisoners Commission. She has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli occupation forces and was most recently arrested on 2 April 2015 and imprisoned until June 2016. Jarrar’s imprisonment – including one month in administrative detention without charge or trial – was met with worldwide protest and outrage.

Khitam Saafin is the president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees who is well-known in the Palestinian, Arab and international arenas for her organizing and leadership in the Palestinian women’s movement. She has participated on multiple occasions in the World Social Forum, linking together women’s struggles around the world for national and social liberation.

The re-arrest of Jarrar and Saafin has been met with international protest once again. The Communist Party of Spain, the Landless Workers Movement (MST) of Brazil, the Hellenic Union of Progressive Lawyers, the Communist Party of Brazil, Coup Pour Coup 31, Plate-Forme Charleroi-Palestine, Marche Mondiale des Femmes France, the Kuwaiti Progressive Current, and the Union do Povo Galego, among others, have already issued statements of solidarity in support of Jarrar and Saafin.

*Photo: Lebanon event in solidarity with Khalida Jarrar and Palestinian prisoners, 4 July*

In Lebanon, 50 Lebanese figures urged parliamentary solidarity with Jarrar in an event widely attended by Palestinian and Lebanese organizations and political forces, emphasizing the importance of solidarity to demand freedom for imprisoned Palestinian political leaders. In Manchester, people organized a protest on 4 July against the band Radiohead, urging it to cancel its performance in Tel Aviv in line with the Palestinian call for cultural boycott of Israel; protesters demanded the release of Jarrar, Saafin and their fellow Palestinian prisoners. Upcoming protests are planned in Berlin, New York City and elsewhere.

*Photo: Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! Manchester*

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges international mobilization and action to demand the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin, prominent Palestinian progressive and feminist leaders and strugglers committed to the freedom and liberation of their people. The arrests of Jarrar and Saafin clearly come as an attempt by the Israeli occupation to attack Palestinian popular movements and suppress them through fear, arrests and intimidation carried out by a massively armed occupation force.

We urge all friends of Palestine and the Palestinian people to join us in reactivating the Khalida Jarrar Solidarity Campaign as well as the campaign in solidarity with Khitam Saafin. These arrests represent an attack on the leaders, the political activity and the popular organizing of the Palestinian people. They must be met with intensified solidarity to demand the freedom of Khalida Jarrar, Khitam Saafin and all of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners behind bars in Israeli occupation prisons.

Take Action to support Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin:

1. Sign the petition! Sign and share this petition, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin immediately.

2. Contact your Member of Parliament, Representative, or Member of European Parliament. The attack on Khalida is an attack on Palestinian parliamentary legitimacy and political expression. The arrest of Khitam is an assault on the Palestinian women’s movement. Parliamentarians have a responsibility to pressure Israel to cancel this order.

3. Use the Campaign Resources to inform your community, parliamentarians and others about Khalida and Khitam’s case.

4. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy for Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin. Bring posters and flyers about Khalida and Khitam’s case and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include Khalida and Khitam’s case in your next event about Palestine and social justice.

5. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. Don’t buy Israeli goods, and campaign to end investments in corporations that profit from the occupation. Learn more at bdsmovement.net.

Palestinian labor and women’s organizations stand in solidarity with Jarrar and Saafin

2 July 2017

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees issued a statement, condemning the arrest of the president of the UPWC, Khitam Saafin and Palestinian leftist leader and parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar:

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees strongly denounces the attack of occupation forces at dawn on Sunday, July 2, to arrest the Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Khalida Jarrar and the President of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Member of the Secretariat of the General Union of Palestinian Women, and feminist activst Khitam Saafin, after storming and ransacking their homes.

The Union views this ongoing campaign of arrests as part of the continuing crimes of the occupation against the resistance to the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.

The Union further confirmed that the political detention of the leaders of the women’s movement is part of many attempts to silence the free Palestinian voice that confrnts the occupation and its attacks on the Palestinian people. It calls on all Arab and international human rights organizatins to act to stop these attacks and demand the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners.

2 July 2017

The Progressive Labor Union Front in Palestine also issued a statement on the seizure of Jarrar and Saafin by Israeli occupation forces:

The Progressive Labor Union Front in Palestine condemns the attack of occupation forces who arrested the struggler Khalida Jarrar, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the struggler Khitam Saafin, president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, along with the continuing extensive detention campaigns that affect all of our people and their strugglers. These arrests are racist, fascist actions aimed at silencing the voices of truth.

The occupation is carrying out a desperate attempt to silence and subjugate the Palestinian people, taking advantage of the prevailing political situation and the humiliating actions of Arab regimes to normalize relations with the Zionist entity alongside the silence of the official Palestinian leadership and identification with the U.S. “requirements” and conditions for American satisfaction with the region.

The Progressive Labor Union Front confirmed that both Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin represent a model of leadership that prioritizes the issues and concerns of the Palestinian people, confronting all forms of political and social oppression.

The Palestinian people have experienced over 100 years of colonization and has confronted and resisted through struggle. Our people are capable of continuing the struggle and will respond to all attempts to undermine their will and steadfastness to seek their legitimate rights.

The Progressive Labor Union Front called on labor and trade union organizations of the world to advocate for freedom, social justice and people’s issues and stand together to demand an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and the occupation’s racist and fascist attacks on the people and their leaders and strugglers.

2 July 2017

Urgent: Demand Freedom for Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin, Palestinian leaders seized by Israeli occupation forces

2 July 2017

Israeli occupation forces seized prominent Palestinian leftist parliamentarian and prisoners’ advocate Khalida Jarrar in a pre-dawn raid on Sunday, 2 July, along with Khitam Saafin, president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees and at least nine other people, including Ihab Massoud, just released less than six months ago from Israeli prisons, and four community leaders in al-Aroub refugee camp. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network calls for urgent international action to demand their immediate release.

Sign the petition to demand freedom for Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin!

The seizure of Khalida Jarrar – now the 13th member of the Palestinian Legislative Council held by the Israeli occupation – comes slightly over one year after she was released from Israeli occupation prison after 14 months of imprisonment. She recently conducted a lengthy interview with the Journal of Palestine Studies.

Jarrar was last seized on 2 April 2015; originally ordered to administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial, the international outcry about her case caused her administrative detention to be cancelled. However, her case was then transferred to the equally-illegitimate Israeli occupation military courts.

Her daughter, Suha, captured part of the raid on their family home on video as armed occupation forces invaded:

The seizure of Jarrar was accompanied by similar raids targeting Khitam Saafin, the General Coordinator of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, who has spoken internationally and participated in many worldwide events, including the World Social Forum, linking women’s struggles internationally with the struggle of Palestinian women for national and social liberation. The UPWC has organized and hosted numerous international delegations building solidarity with Palestinian women and the Palestinian people.

At least seven other Palestinians were seized by Israeli occupation forces in pre-dawn raids. Among them was Ihab Massoud, released on 12 February after 16 years in Israeli prison. A leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, he participated in multiple hunger strikes inside Israeli prisons.