New York City protesters demand freedom for Muhammad Allan on 30th day of hunger strike

8 July 2017

Protesters in New York City gathered to support Palestinian prisoners and demand the freedom of imprisoned lawyer Muhammad Allan on his 30th day of hunger strike in Israeli prison on Friday, 7 July. Organized by the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, the protest took place outside the Best Buy electronics store in Manhattan’s Union Square.

Protesters at Best Buy also distributed information to customers and passers-by about the growing campaign to boycott Hewlett-Packard (HP) products, including laptops, tablets, printers and printing supplies. HP Enterprise holds a number of contracts to provide the IT infrastructure of the Israeli occupation, including services for Israeli checkpoints, ID cards, the Israeli navy maintaining the siege of Gaza and even the Israel Prison Service. People and organizations around the world, including trade unions in England, Ireland and elsewhere, have declared themselves to be HP-free zones.

The campaigners focused on the case of imprisoned Palestinian lawyer Muhammad Allan, who entered his 30th day of hunger strike as the protesters gathered. Allan, 33, was seized on 8 June by Israeli occupation forces in his home in Einabus near Nablus in a pre-dawn raid by occupation forces. He had earlier been released from Israeli prison in November 2015 following a 66-day hunger strike against his imprisonment without charge or trial under administrative detention.

Since his release, Allan has been actively involved in campaigns of support for fellow Palestinian prisoners, including administrative detainees and other prisoners on hunger strike for justice and freedom. After his arrest, he started his hunger strike immediately and has been transferred repeatedly from prison to prison and held in isolation in an attempt to break his strike.

On Wednesday, Allan was accused in an Israeli military court of “incitement” for posting on social media and attending demonstrations in support of Palestinian prisoners. He emphasized that he is continuing his hunger strike and that he rejects any attempt to transfer him to administrative detention without charge or trial.

Currently, approximately 500 of the 6,200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are held without charge or trial under administrative detention. Administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable and issued on the basis of “secret evidence.” Palestinians have spent years at a time imprisoned without charge or trial under repeatedly renewed administrative detention orders.

As Samidoun members protested in New York City, chanting for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, other Samidoun activists traveled to Philadelphia to participate in a demonstration for justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal outside the office of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

The demonstration demanded the DA’s office turn over documents connected to the involvement of Ron Castille in the conviction of Abu-Jamal; despite his work for the prosecution, Castille, who is now a judge, has refused to recuse himself from appeals in the case.

New York Samidoun activists including Steve Millies, who designs Samidoun protest signs, Christian Cobb and Taryn Fivek participated in the demonstration for Abu-Jamal, demanding the DA’s office follow through with its obligations to turn over the documents in question.

Samidoun organizes weekly protests in New York City on Fridays at 5:30 pm outside the Best Buy in Union Square to demand freedom for Palestinian prisoners and support the boycott of HP products until it ends its contracts with Israeli occupation; the next scheduled protest will take place on Friday, 14 July. All supporters of justice for Palestine are welcome to join.

Palestinian journalists demand freedom for Jihad Barakat, jailed by PA

7 July 2017

Palestinian journalist Jihad Barakat was detained by Palestinian Authority Preventive Security forces on Thursday, 6 July, accused of “taking photos” of the motorcade of PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah near a checkpoint east of Tulkarem. Palestinian journalists and activists have launched a social media campaign demanding the immediate release of Barakat.

Barakat, a well-known young journalist, will remain detained at least until next Sunday, as his detention was extended by the security forces. Palestinian organizers have emphasized the ongoing repression against Palestinian writers, journalists and activists by PA security forces, especially those who have been critical of PA officials and their ongoing “security coordination” with the Israeli occupation.

The arrest of Barakat is the latest in a series of arrests carried out by PA security forces targeting journalists, writers and other critical voices under the pretext of allegations of “insulting” PA officials, inciting “sectarianism” for posting about PA involvement with Israel, and now allegations of illegally photographing the PA prime minister driving on the street.

The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate joined in the call for the release of Barakat on Friday, 7 July, noting that the arrest reflects ongoing serious violations by the government and security services against journalists’ rights and freedom of expression. The syndicate noted that Barakat is well-known for his commitment to journalism and to Palestine, rejecting the flimsy justifications provided by the PA for his arrest.

The Journalists’ Syndicate also noted that political pledges about press freedom are devoid of credibility in light of these ongoing and daily violations against media work and public freedoms, demanding that Barakat and photographer Ahmed Khatib be immediately released and that the PA lift its bans on media websites.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network denounces the arrest of Jihad Barakat and demands his immediate release and that of fellow Palestinian political detainees in PA prisons. We join our voices with Palestinian organizations and organizers demanding an end to Palestinian Authority security coordination with the Israeli occupation and an end to the repression of Palestinian media, websites and expression by the PA.

Israeli military courts issue 34 more administrative detention orders

7 July 2017

Israeli occupation military courts issued 34 administrative detention orders in between 14 June and 29 June, reported Palestinian lawyer Mahmoud Halabi.

25 of the orders were renewal orders directed against Palestinian prisoners who were already imprisoned without charge or trial, while the remaining orders were newly issued.

There are nearly 500 Palestinians imprisoned without charge or trial under administrative detention, out of a total of approximately 6,200 Palestinian political prisoners. Administrative detention orders are issued on the basis of secret evidence. They are indefinitely renewable; Palestinians have spent years at a time jailed with no charges and no trial.

Among the orders issued in that time period was the three-month renewal order against Sabah Faraoun, a Palestinian seamstress held in administrative detention. She was held in solitary confinement in Damon prison for at least a week in late June and early July along with other women prisoners subject to repression. Also included in this group of orders was a two-month renewal order against Dr. Essam al-Ashqar, a Palestinian physics professor at An-Najah University suffering from poor health.

The following were the 34 administrative detention orders:

1. Sahib Jamil Shahib, from Ramallah, 4 months, new order
2. Mahmoud Jamal Sajdiya, from Qalandiya, 6 months, extension
3. Mohammed Younis Zaghari, from Bethlehem, 6 months, new order
4. Moataz Mohammed Shariat, from Bethlehem, 6 months, new order
5. Nabil Fakhri Hmouz, from Qalandiya, 6 months, new order
6. Alaa el-Din Khaled Ali, from Ramallah, 6 months, extension
7. Wasfi Izzat Mustafa, from Jenin, 6 months, new order
8. Saeb Fahmi Salem, from Ramallah, 4 months, new order
9. Ibrahim Nasser Hammad, from Ramallah, 6 months, extension
10. Eimarah Abdel-Latif Fashafsha, from Jenin, 6 months, extension
11. Mohammed Khaled Abu Sal, from al-Khalil, 4 months, extension
12. Mahmoud Suleiman Abu Shihab, from Qalqilya, 6 months, extension
13. Musab Saher Barghouthi, from Ramallah, 6 months, extension
14. Sharif Mohammed Masalmeh, from al-Khalil, 6 months, extension
15. Walid Mohammed Humaidan, from Bethehem,4 months, extension
16. Essam Rashed al-Ashqar, from Nablus, 2 months, extension
17. Walid Daoud Bastanji, from Bethlehem, 4 months, extension
18. Ahmed Musa Matar, from Qalandiya, 4 months, extension
19. Ashraf Zeidan Jada, from Burqin, 4 months, extension
20. Rami Ayman Sharida, from Tubas, 3 months, extension
21. Bassel Ahmed Dudeen, from al-Khalil, 4 months, extension
22. Ismail Khalil al-Zeer, from Bethlehem, 2 months, extension
23. Ahmed Diab Braish, from Ramallah, 4 months, extension
24. Salameh Fathi Matriyeh, from al-Bireh, 4 months, extension
25. Fadi Monzer Radwan, from Tulkarem, 2 months, extension
26. Dirar Mohammed Abu Manshar, from al-Khalil, 6 months, new order
27. Sabah Mohammed Faraoun, from Jerusalem, 3 months, extension
28. Thaer Said Abu Rmouz, from al-Khalil, 4 months, new order
29. Saadi Mohammed Khdeirat, from al-Khalil, 4 months, extension
30. Mohammed Ghassan Najdi, from Tulkarem, 4 months, extension
31. Bahaa Taha Najjar, from al-Khalil, 3 months, extension
32. Hassan Hussein Shouka, from Bethlehem, 3 months, extension
33. Ibrahim Abdel Mohsen, from Ramallah, 4 months, extension
34. Nadim Ibrahim Sabarneh, from al-Khalil, 6 months, extension

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.

Follow us on Instagram @samidounnetwork