Gaza activity in solidarity with administrative detainee Mohammed al-Qeeq

3 February 2016

On Wednesday morning, 3 February 2016, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) organized an activity in solidarity with journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, the administrative detainee on hunger strike, at the Commodore Hotel in Gaza City. The activity was held while al-Qeeq has been enduring his open hunger strike for 70 consecutive days and the resultant health deterioration amidst Israeli relentless attempts to force-feed him again. It should be noted that Israeli forces force-fed al-Qeeq in the past days in violation of his right not to be tortured or degradingly treated, and in a manner jeopardizing his life.

The activity was opened by Dr. Riyadh al-Za’noun, Chairman of PCHR’s Board of Directors, who highlighted that al-Qeeq had started this open hunger strike because he experienced unbearable oppression and injustice during the administrative detention period. Al-Za’noun pointed out that the administrative detention under which al-Qeeq is placed is in itself a war crime and a detention of the freedom of speech that is legalized by the Israeli courts although al-Qeeq’s life is at stake. All of this happens while the whole world is watching but doing nothing.

Mr. Yasser Saleh, representative of the Prisoners’ Committee of Islamic and National Factions, delivered a speech in which he stressed that al-Qeeq is a free person, who pledged himself to expose the daily violations committed against the Palestinian people to the world. Saleh added that Israeli forces by detaining al-Qeeq aimed at targeting and silencing media personnel and confronting the freedom of expression. He further said that al-Qeeq was resisting the Israeli occupation when he was outside prison by performing his duties as a journalist, while he is resisting the occupation inside with his hunger and empty stomach. Saleh underscored is also trying to put an end to the administrative detention policy that can be applied against any of those practicing the freedom of opinion and expression in spite of his deteriorating health condition that resulted in speaking and hearing loss and a blurry vision.

Mr. Emad al-Efranji, Director of the Palestinian Journalists’ Forum, said that Israeli occupation is the reason behind the suffering of the Palestinian people for tens of years; the Israeli occupation that uprooted the Palestinian people and occupied their land. Al-Efranji further said that Israeli forces arrest journalists to conceal the truth by killing and arresting them or confiscating their equipment. He added that the Israeli forces always accuse journalists of “media incitement”. Al-Efranji highlighted that the Palestinian journalists are known for their devotion at work and annoying the Israeli occupation with pens and cameras, therefore, they are accused of such an accusation.

Moreover, lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, confirmed that we cannot talk about Justice and law under the Israeli occupation, and everyone who thinks that Israel respects human and public rights is misguided, because Israel is the opposite of justice, human rights and freedom of expression. Al-Sourani pointed out that the Israeli military courts from the beginning of the occupation have never been applied justice or law; they rather practice the law of the jungle because all the military orders violate the law, justice and human rights. Furthermore, Sourani added that al-Qeeq won his battle from the first moment of his hunger strike, clarifying that freedom and dignity reflect a state of moral, humanitarian and cultural superiority towards the barbaric practices of the Israeli occupation. In addition, he underscored that everyone who was involved in the force-feeding crime against al-Qeeq, including legislators and doctors, who were directly involved in this crime, will be prosecuted.

Journalist Fayhaa Shalash, al-Qeeq’s wife, emphasized via phone from Ramallah that her husband has been on hunger strike drinking only water but without any dietary supplements. In addition, she said that Israeli forces prevent family visits to him and he is still handcuffed in spite of his presence at the hospital. She pointed out that she and his family do not know anything about his heath; they only know about him from the news. Moreover, Shalash underscored that her husband refuses any deals with the Israeli occupation and his only demand is freedom.

At the end of the activity, the participants delivered speeches in which they called for conjugating efforts to support al-Qeeq and all Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails.

Take Action: CATSA – Drop G4S, Don’t Support War Crimes in Palestine! #CanadaDropG4S

3 February 2016

Click here to sign the petition to tell Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority Chairperson Lloyd McCoomb to drop G4S, the security corporation involved in human rights violations in Palestine:

In 2011 the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority CATSA, the crown corporation responsible for security at Canadian airports, awarded G4S Canada (the wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of a British-based security company) a contract worth up up to $416 million for security at airports in the Pacific Region (which includes BC and the Yukon). The contract covers 20 airports including YVR until March 31, 2017.

Because of contracts with Israel which make it complicit in the maintenance of the repressive infrastructure of the occupation and apartheid state, G4S is the target of an international campaign for boycott and divestment.

G4S provides security systems for the Ketziot and Megiddo prisons, which hold Palestinian political prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory inside Israel. Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of prisoners from occupied territory into the territory of the occupier.
G4S also provides equipment for Ofer prison, located in the occupied West Bank, and for Kishon and Moskobiyyeh detention facilities, where human rights organisations have documented systematic torture and ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including child prisoners. Defence for Children-Palestine (DCI-Palestine) has released an urgent appeal to end the practice of holding Palestinian children from the West Bank in solitary confinement in facilities in Israel.
Beyond Israel’s prison system, G4S provides equipment and services to Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank along the route of Israel’s illegal apartheid Wall and to the terminals isolating the occupied and besieged territory of Gaza. G4S also contracts for equipment and services for the West Bank Israeli Police headquarters and to private businesses based in illegal Israeli settlements. A panel of legal experts has concluded that G4S may be criminally liable for its activities in support of Israel’s illegal Wall and other violations of international law.

Internationally, G4S has been implicated in human rights violations against Indigenous people and poor rural communities, particularly in the Global South where it provides security to international mining and oil&gas companies.

In recent years numerous institutions and governments have heeded the call for boycott and divestment from G4S including the Bill Gates Foundation, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the US United Methodist Church and the municipality of Durham County in North Carolina.

With numerous other security options available, it’s time for CATSA to side with human rights and a just and lasting peace and cancel their contract with G4S. Join us in telling CATSA to “Drop G4S, Don’t Support War Crimes in Palestine”!

More info on Stop G4S in Canada atwww.cpavancouver.org/index.php/2015/08/10/boycott-and-divest-from-g4/

Click here to sign the petition to tell Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority Chairperson Lloyd McCoomb to drop G4S, the security corporation involved in human rights violations in Palestine!

Take action: 71 days of hunger strike for imprisoned Palestinian journalist Al-Qeeq

3 February 2016

Hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq is facing a severe risk of stroke, warned his lawyer Ashraf Abu Sneineh on 2 February. He has lost a massive amount of weight, and there is evidence of damage to internal organs of his body, Abu Sneineh said.

Al-Qeeq, 33, is a Palestinian journalist, a correspondent for Al-Majd channel, who is held without charge or trial in Israeli administrative detention. He launched his hunger strike on 25 November while being subjected to torture under interrogation; he has continued his strike since then in protest of his imprisonment without charge or trial. Held in HaEmek hospital in Afula, he is demanding his immediate release and is in critical condition.

Amnesty International, Reporters without Borders, and the European Union have all expressed serious concern for his case; on 2 February, Robert Piper, United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aid, said in a statement: “I am deeply concerned about the continued practice of administrative detention in Israeli jails and detention centers.”

“In particular, I am alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating health of Palestinian administrative detainee, Mohammed Al-Qiq, who is on hunger strike in protest against the arbitrary nature of his detention and ill-treatment,” Piper said.

Al-Qeeq’s case will be brought once again before the Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday, 4 February. The court previously declined to take any action on the case, instead asking for ongoing health reports from the hospital where he is held. Al-Qeeq has lost the ability to speak and 60% of his hearing.

Also on Thursday, Al-Qeeq will reportedly receive a visit from Dr. Mahmud Mahamid of Physicians for Human Rights – Israel. It was previously reported that this visit would take place two weeks ago, but on the day of the scheduled visit, the hospital denied Dr. Mahamid access to Al-Qeeq.

In a press conference on Thursday, 3 February, Fayha Shalash, Al-Qeeq’s wife and a fellow Palestinian journalist, highlighted the urgency of his situation as well as Al-Qeeq’s determination to continue. She noted that she has not been able to see her husband, nor has she been permitted to introduce photos of their children or books, including a Qur’an, for her husband in the hospital.

Palestinians in Gaza are participating in a six-day hunger strike in solidarity with Al-Qeeq in Gaza City, including former hunger striker Ayman Sharawneh and Palestinian journalists. They “called on Arab and European parliaments as well as human rights and journalism organizations to help free Qeeq from Israeli custody.”

A twitter campaign is planned for today, 3 February, to demand Qeeq’s release: http://samidoun.net/?p=9409

(Cartoon: Carlos Latuff)

Take Action:

1. Contact government officials and demand that they break their silence on Al-Qeeq and support for Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. In the United States, call the Israel Foreign Service Desk
1-202-647-3672 and the White House – 202-456-1111. Demand action on al-Qeeq’s case and an end to aid to Israel. In the UK, call UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Philip Hammond, MP, +44 20 7008 1500. In Canada, call Foreign Minister Stephane Dion: 613-996-5789.

2. Join the Twitter campaign in support of Al-Qeeq, today, 3 February: See details on the campaign here: http://samidoun.net/?p=9409

3. Protest at an Israeli consulate or embassy (or federal building, G4S office or public square) and demand freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq. Raise the issue of this case publicly and distribute information – this flyer is available for you to distribute at protests in your community. Find your closest Israeli consulate: http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/israel. Please email us atsamidoun@samidoun.net to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

4. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Palestinians have urged an international boycott of Israeli goods and institutions – and corporations that profit from occupation , like G4S, the world’s largest private security company, that sells security equipment to Israeli prisons, checkpoints and police training centers – directly profiting from the occupation that destroys Palestinian lives. At the same time G4S profits from occupation, institutions like the United Nations continue to do business with it. Go to addameer.org/UNdropG4S to take action!

Tampa vigil stands in solidarity with Palestinian hunger striker Al-Qeeq

3 February 2016

Block the Boat Tampa organized an emergency vigil outside the offices of G4S in Riverside, Florida on Tuesday, 2 February, calling for the immediate release of Palestinian hunger striker Mohammed al-Qeeq on his 70th day of hunger strike.

Al-Qeeq, 33, is a Palestinian journalist who is held under administrative detention without charge or trial in Israeli prison. On hunger strike in protest of torture and administrative detention since 25 November 2015, he is held in HaEmek hospital in Afula in critical condition.

G4S is the world’s largest security corporation, and provides security systems, control rooms and equipment to Israeli prisons, checkpoints and police training centers, directly implicating it in the torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners. It is subject to an international campaign calling for boycott of G4S because of its involvement in human rights violations in Palestine and elsewhere, including a call from Palestinian prisoners for international boycott of G4S. Hundreds of organizations have demanded the United Nations end its contracts with G4S.

Watch a video of Tampa organizers discussing the protest:

Photos:

Murals in Denmark and Gaza urge release of hunger striking Palestinian journalist Al-Qeeq

3 February 2016

Two murals – one in Copenhagen, Denmark and one in Gaza City, Palestine – were unveiled this weekend in separate acts of artistic support for hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, who has now been on hunger strike for 71 days, demanding his release from Israeli administrative detention without charge or trial.

The Mohja Jerusalem Foundation displayed a new mural in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City on Sunday, 31 January; the display of the mural is part of a series of events being organized by Mohja to demand the freedom of al-Qeeq as well as imprisoned journalist colleague Mujahed al-Saadi.

Tareq Abu Shallouf said that the organization had chosen the wall near the Red Cross building as the location for a mural as it is a site of constant protests and activities in support of Palestinian prisoners.

Separately, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Palestinian Danish artist Salim Assi revealed a mural on 1 February in solidarity with Al-Qeeq, highlighting his role as a Palestinian journalist. Assi’s work, on free walls around Copenhagen and other cities, often highlights the Palestinian struggle for liberation: also pictured below is a mural by Assi calling for freedom for all Palestinian prisoners and highlighting the case of Ahmad Manasrah, the 14-year-old child prisoner whose wounding and abuse by settler colonists was captured on video.

Photos: Mohja Foundation, Salim Assi

Palestinian hunger striker Kayed Abu Rish moved to Afula hospital in worsening health

3 February 2016

Kayed Abu Rish, hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner held under administrative detention without charge or trial, has been moved from isolation in Megiddo prison to HaEmek hospital in Afula, following the deterioration of his health condition.

Abu Rish, 46, is a Palestinian refugee from al-Ein refugee camp in Nablus. Arrested by Israeli occupation forces on 13 January 2015, he conducted a 36-day hunger strike in August-September of last year, which concluded with a promise not to renew his administrative detention. However, in January of this year, Abu Rish was ordered once again to administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial for six months, the order confirmed by Israeli military courts on Sunday, 31 January.

Amina Tawil of the Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies reported that Abu Rish had begun his strike on 14 January 2015, and despite some conflicting reports, has now been on hunger strike fro 20 days. He is suffering from headaches, weakness, and dizziness. It should be noted that Abu Rish, who has spent approximately 16 years total in Israeli jails, has long-lasting injuries from being shot by occupation forces in the back and foot during the first Intifada.

Abu Rish joins Mohammed al-Qeeq, also held under administrative detention without charge or trial, on hunger strike for 71 days and held in Afula hospital. Al-Qeeq, a Palestinian journalist who began his strike on 25 November 2015, is currently in critical condition in the hospital.

Milan protest urges freedom for imprisoned Palestinian journalist Al-Qeeq

3 February 2016

On Saturday, 30 January, the Association of Palestinians in Italy (Associazione dei Palestinesi in Italia) organized a protest at Piazza Castello in Milan, calling for freedom for imprisoned, hunger-striking Palestinian jourrnalist Mohammed al-Qeeq and an end to the siege on Gaza. Al-Qeeq, 33, has been on hunger strike since 25 November 2015 in protest of his torture and then administrative detention without charge or trial.

Dr. Mohammed Hannoun, president of the Association of Palestinians in Italy, urged international action to pressure the Israeli state to end administrative detention. Particularly, he urged members of the Italian Parliament to advocate for Palestinian rights, especially to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza suffering due to siege, and to pressure for the release of al-Qeeq and an end to the policy of administrative detention at an Italian and European level.

3 February, Global: Gaza activists plan Twitter campaign for Mohammed al-Qeeq

2 February 2016

Palestinian activists in the Gaza Strip plan to launch a social media campaign for Palestinian journalist and administrative detainee Mohammed al-Qeeq on Wednesday, 3 February, the 71st day of his hunger strike.

The “Twitter storm” will start at 7:00 pm EET; 5:00 pm GMT; 12:00 pm EST. Find your local time here.

To learn more about these campaigns and how supporters can use them to publicize Palestinian prisoners and their struggles, read this list of tips by Palestinian surgeon, musician and activist Doz Jazz.

Video: Joe Catron on Mohammed al-Qeeq and the campaign to boycott G4S

2 February 2016

Joe Catron, journalist and organizer with Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network in New York City, spoke at an event on Friday, 29 January, about the case of Mohammed al-Qeeq, Palestinian journalist on hunger strike for well over two months, and the growing international solidarity campaign for his freedom.

Catron, speaking at a forum organized by the Workers World Party, discusses the nature of administrative detention, Israeli military courts, Al-Qeeq’s hunger strike, and the international campaign to boycott G4S. He details the involvement of G4S – the world’s largest security corporation – in Israeli prisons, checkpoints and police training centers, as well as its involvement in international human rights abuses.

Watch the video here:

PFLP prisoners start solidarity actions with hunger-striking journalist Al-Qeeq, isolated Kayed

2 February 2016

Prisoners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Ramon, Eshel and Negev prisons, anlong with comrades in Ofer prison, announced two days of hunger strike on 2 February and 4 February, in solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq and demanding an end to the isolation of their comrade Bilal Kayed, held in solitary confinement.

The Handala Center for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners reported that the prisoners are planning new protest steps if Al-Qeeq remains imprisoned and Kayed remains in isolation. An Israeli military court will convene against Bilal Kayed on Monday 8 February, accusing him of activism in prison. Kayed is the representative of PFLP prisoners in Megiddo prisoners in relations with the prison administration.

In an interview with the Handala Center, Allam Kaabi, a former prisoner released in the prisoner exchange with the Palestinian resistance, said that “these actions are banging on the walls of the tank inside the prisons,” in a reference to Ghassan Kanafani’s Men in the Sun; “the silence of the prisoners will not continue in the face of the ongoing violations and attacks against the prisoners’ movement,” said Kaabi.

“The PFLP prisoners have a clear analysis that the Prison Administration is seeking to strip away the gains of the prisoners movement through years of struggle, including many battles, protests and strikes….there is a need to preserve the achievements for which the prisoners’ movement has sacrificed so much…If there is no action in the coming days, the struggle will develop further,” said Kaabi.

He urged broad Palestinian and international support for the prisoners’ struggle, especially the strike of the imprisoned Palestinian journalist, Mohammed al-Qeeq, on his 70th day of hunger strike, saying that the struggle for his freedom must reach the level of his sacrifices.

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