Khalida Jarrar’s military court session postponed until 12 October

21 September 2015

Palestinian leftist, parliamentarian and political prisoners’ advocate Khalida Jarrar faced an Israeli military court again on Sunday, 20 September for a hearing that was again postponed, this time until 12 October.

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association – Jarrar’s lawyers, as well as the organization of which Jarrar serves as vice-chair and formerly executive director – reported on the Ofer military court hearing. The Israeli military prosecution failed to secure the participation of witnesses, only presenting one witness forcibly compelled to testify as he is held in Israeli prison.

Addameer reported that this witness – a Palestinian political prisoner – denied all allegations against Jarrar, and that “As a result the military prosecution declared him a hostile witness and the military court approved their request. The military prosecution further requested the court to issue arrest warrants for the witnesses who did not attend so they would be in custody during the next hearing.”

The military prosecution declared the witnesses they presented at Jarrar’s last hearing – again, Palestinian political prisoners – to be “hostile” as well, after they stated their confessions against Jarrar were obtained through torture.

Jarrar, 52, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Abu Ali Mustafa Bloc, a prominent leftist, feminist and advocate for Palestinian prisoners, was arrested by the Israeli occupation military in her home on 2 April. This arrest came following her rejection – and defeat – of an attempt to forcibly displace her from her Ramallah home to Jericho by the Israeli military in August 2014. Jarrar was initially held under administrative detention without charge or trial; following an international outcry, she was then charged in an Israeli military court with 12 charges, all of which are entirely political in nature and many of which directly pertain to her advocacy to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network salutes Khalida Jarrar and urges her immediate freedom. The solidarity and outrage from around the world, alongside her steadfastness, forced the cancellation of her administrative detention and of the forced displacement order; now it is time to step up the struggle to win her freedom and keep protesting and organizing.

19 September, Berlin: Protest to Free Palestinian Political Prisoners

19 September 2015

Saturday, 19 September
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pariser Platz, Berlin

The European Alliance for Solidarity with Palestinian Detainees will hold a solidarity protest in support of the Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, 19 September at 6:00 pm.

30 Days of Hunger Strike: Palestinian Prisoners denied fresh air, cold water

19 September 2015

Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike for 30 days are being denied access to fresh air, cold water and medication by the Israeli prison administration, they reported through their lawyers with the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. At the same time, prisoners affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in several prisons held a one-day solidarity hunger strike on Saturday, 19 September, in support of their striking comrades.

Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Munir Abu Sharar and Badr al-Ruzza launched their strike on August 20. All are held under administrative detention without charge or trial; their strike demands the end of administrative detention and the freedom of all administrative detainees. The strike was soon joined by Bilal Daoud Saifi and Suleiman Skafi. All have been thrown into isolation and repeatedly transferred from prison to prison.

Shadi Ma’ali, isolated in Naqab prison after 30 days of hunger strike, reported to Addameer lawyer Samer Samaan that the openings in cell gates (where light and air enter) are being blocked by the Israeli prison administration, and they are being denied access to cold water, provided with hot water only, meant to make their consumption of water difficult and distasteful as a means of psychological pressure on the strikers. Ma’ali noted that it was “especially important for them to hear about solidarity actions in support of their legitimate demands….there is no room for retreat and surrender.” Ma’ali also reported that he has a constant headache, cannot sleep, and has lost a significant amount of weight.

Munir Abu Sharar, who also met with Samaan, said that he is sleeping on a mattress next to the doorstep in his isolation cell, where a small amount of air enters through the space beneath the gate. All of the strikers’ personal belongings have been confiscated, and they are being denied access to clothing, books, blankets and pillows. Bilal Daoud Saifi has been denied medication for a chronic brain condition.

Nidal Abu Aker refused to appear before the court confirming his administrative detention extension for three months on September 17, part of the boycott of the administrative detention courts by dozens of Palestinian administrative detainees. He is also refusing vitamins and minerals and rejects medical examinations. In a meeting with lawyer Karim Ajwa, Abu Aker urged a broad national campaign to confront administrative detention and to free the administrative detainees.

Repeated transfer via “bosta” has been another method of intimidation and punishment of the striking prisoners. Ghassan Zawahreh was denied a legal visit arranged in advance at Ela prison; his lawyer, Farah Bayadseh, was told that he was being transferred to the Naqab prison. When Bayadseh arrived at the Naqab prison, she was told that Zawahreh would spend the whole day in transfers.

Badr al-Ruzza’s family spoke with Ahrar Wledna about his hunger strike; his father said that “Before my son Badr began his strike, he told me about his intention to confront administrative detention…he agreed with a number of his fellow prisoners to launch a strike to end the injustice against them…My son and his comrades have a collective decision to not meet individually with the prison administration, but collectively with each other…My son refused to end his hunger strike in exchange for being released on 10 November 2015, and he made this response in consultation with his fellow striking prisoners.”

Prisoners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Nafha, Eshel and Ramon prisons engaged in a solidarity hunger strike on Saturday, September 19 to support their striking comrades, and 250 Palestinian prisoners in various prisons are returning their meals three days a week, from September 15 through October 21, as part of an escalating series of protest actions which 100 more prisoners have announced their intent to join.

Events outside have continued in support of the prisoners; a tent has been set up in the center of Ramallah which has been filled with supporters for the past three days, while youth in Gaza ran a race to support the prisoners.

Reports: Muhammad Allan suspends hunger strike

19 September 2015

Palestinian administrative detainee and former long-term hunger striker Muhammad Allan, 31, suspended his hunger strike on Friday, 18 September, reported Jawad Boulos of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, due to his health situation.

Boulos met with Allan, who was re-arrested on 16 September immediately following his discharge from Barzilai Hospital, where he was recovering from severe health consequences, including brain damage, following a 65-day hunger strike in protest of his administrative detention. He has been imprisoned since 6 November 2014 without charge or trial, and went on hunger strike to demand his release. He ended his strike after his detention was suspended by the Israeli Supreme Court due to his catastrophic health situation.

Allan’s administrative detention order was re-imposed by the Israeli military immediately upon his re-arrest and he immediately restarted his hunger strike.

Sami Abu Diak continuing to suffer due to medical mistreatment

19 September 2015

Palestinian prisoner Sami Abu Diak is currently in critical condition in Assaf Harofeh hospital with internal poisoning and a high fever, following surgery to remove an intestinal tumor at Soroka hospital on 4 September and the placement of a colostomy bag.

He was transferred to the Ramle prison clinic, which lacks fundamental equipment for medical treatment, before the end of his recovery and suffered infection and internal poisoning.

Despite the seriousness of his condition, Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies reported that his hands and legs are still shackled in his hospital bed. He is unconscious and connected to a ventilator.

Abu Diak’s life is in grave danger, and the Israeli occupation must be held fully accountable for his life and health and is responsible for his current medical situation, which has come about due to medical neglect and mistreatment.

Muhammad Allan re-launches hunger strike, now eighth Palestinian prisoner striking to end administrative detention

16 September 2015

Muhammad Allan, long-term hunger striker re-arrested this morning as he left Barzilai hospital, has re-launched his hunger strike against administrative detention without charge or trial. Allan, 31, a Palestinian lawyer, had been held under administrative detention since November 2014, and launched a 65-day hunger strike demanding his freedom which ended after an Israeli Supreme Court decision suspending his detention due to his precarious health situation; Allan had entered a coma. Take action to demand his immediate release.

Allan had threatened to re-launch his hunger strike if he was not transferred to Najah hospital in Nablus; instead, when he was permitted to exit the hospital early this morning, he was immediately arrested. An Israeli military court re-issued his original administrative detention order, under which he is imprisoned until 4 November. (As administrative detention without charge or trial is indefinitely renewable, this does not mean that he will be released on that date – his detention could easily be renewed again.)

Allan was transferred to Ramle prison clinic, where he has now re-launched his hunger strike. He is now the eighth Palestinian administrative detainee on hunger strike, demanding an end to administrative detention without charge or trial.

The “Battle of Breaking the Chains” was launched on 20 August by Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Munir Abu Sharar and Badr al-Ruzza, five Palestinians held under administrative detention, who began a hunger strike to demand an end to the practice, under which 480 Palestinians are indefinitely detained. The strike was joined by Bilal Daoud Saifi and later, Suleiman Skafi, and now, Muhammad Allan’s re-launched hunger strike.

Israel’s routine use of administrative detention violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. It has been widely condemned by Palestinian and international organizations.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges the immediate release of Muhammad Allan, clearly an attempt to reverse the achievement of his hunger strike and re-impose the injustice of administrative detention just as a number of prisoners are deeply engaged in an open hunger strike to demand an end to the policy. This latest outrage only re-emphasizes the critical importance of the “Battle of Breaking the Chains” and Palestinian prisoners’ struggle to end administrative detention once and for all.

Take Action:

1. Sign on: Send a letter demanding Allan’s immediate release, and that of all administrative detainees, especially the hunger strikers. Israeli officials must hear the voice of the world demanding that the policy of administrative detention must come to an end.

2. Sign on to this statement in support of the prisoners’ demand to End Administrative Detention. Organizational and individual endorsements are welcome – and organizational endorsements particularly critical – in support of the prisoners’ demands and their actions. Click here to sign or sign below:http://bit.ly/EndAdministrativeDetention

3 Send a solidarity statement. The support of people around the world helps to inform people about the struggle of Palestinian prisoners. It is a morale booster and helps to build political solidarity. Please send your solidarity statements to samidoun@samidoun.net. They will be published and sent directly to the prisoners.

4. Hold a solidarity one-day hunger strike in your area. Gather in a tent or central area, bring materials about Palestinian prisoners and hold a one-day solidarity strike to raise awareness and provide support for the struggle of the prisoners and the Palestinian cause. Please email us at samidoun@samidoun.net to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

5. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy in your area. Bring posters and flyers about administrative detention and Palestinian hunger strikers and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include this issue in your next event about Palestine and social justice. Please email us at samidoun@samidoun.net to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

6. Contact political officials in your country – members of Parliament or Congress, or the Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs or State – and demand that they cut aid and relations with Israel on the basis of its apartheid practices, its practice of colonialism, and its numerous violations of Palestinian rights including the systematic practice of administrative detention. Demand they pressure Israel to free the hunger strikers and end administrative detention.

7. 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. G4S, a global security corporation, is heavily involved in providing services to Israeli prisons that jail Palestinian political prisoners – there is a global call to boycott it. Palestinian political prisoners have issued a specific call urging action on G4S. Learn more about BDS at bdsmovement.net.

Take Action: Palestinian hunger striker Muhammad Allan re-arrested as he leaves hospital

16 September 2015

Israeli occupation forces re-arrested former Palestinian prisoner Muhammad Allan today, 16 September, as he left Barzilai Hospital in Asqelan. Allan was allowed to leave the hospital by the hospital administration, and was immediately arrested; he had pledged to re-start his open hunger strike two days ago if he is not permitted to be transferred to Najah hospital in Nablus. A new administrative detention order without charge or trial has been imposed upon him by Israeli military occupation courts and he has been taken to Ramle prison clinic. Take action to demand his immediate release.

Allan waged a 65-day hunger strike in protest of his administrative detention without charge or trial, which ended in August after an Israeli Supreme Court decision which suspended his detention on the basis of the deterioration of his medical condition, but left intact the structure of administrative detention. There are currently 7 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in the “Battle of Breaking the Chains,” demanding an end to the policy of administrative detention: Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Munir Abu Sharar, Badr al-Ruzza, Bilal Daoud Saifi and Suleiman Skafi. The five who initiated the strike have now been on hunger strike for 27 days. All have been isolated from their fellow prisoners, are being denied necessary medications, and there is a black-out imposed on their health situation.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges the immediate release of Muhammad Allan, clearly an attempt to reverse the achievement of his hunger strike and re-impose the injustice of administrative detention just as a number of prisoners are deeply engaged in an open hunger strike to demand an end to the policy. This latest outrage only re-emphasizes the critical importance of the “Battle of Breaking the Chains” and Palestinian prisoners’ struggle to end administrative detention once and for all.

Take Action:

1. Sign on: Send a letter demanding Allan’s immediate release, and that of all administrative detainees, especially the hunger strikers. Israeli officials must hear the voice of the world demanding that the policy of administrative detention must come to an end.

2. Sign on to this statement in support of the prisoners’ demand to End Administrative Detention. Organizational and individual endorsements are welcome – and organizational endorsements particularly critical – in support of the prisoners’ demands and their actions. Click here to sign or sign below:http://bit.ly/EndAdministrativeDetention

3 Send a solidarity statement. The support of people around the world helps to inform people about the struggle of Palestinian prisoners. It is a morale booster and helps to build political solidarity. Please send your solidarity statements to samidoun@samidoun.net. They will be published and sent directly to the prisoners.

4. Hold a solidarity one-day hunger strike in your area. Gather in a tent or central area, bring materials about Palestinian prisoners and hold a one-day solidarity strike to raise awareness and provide support for the struggle of the prisoners and the Palestinian cause. Please email us at samidoun@samidoun.net to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

5. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy in your area. Bring posters and flyers about administrative detention and Palestinian hunger strikers and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include this issue in your next event about Palestine and social justice. Please email us at samidoun@samidoun.net to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

6. Contact political officials in your country – members of Parliament or Congress, or the Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs or State – and demand that they cut aid and relations with Israel on the basis of its apartheid practices, its practice of colonialism, and its numerous violations of Palestinian rights including the systematic practice of administrative detention. Demand they pressure Israel to free the hunger strikers and end administrative detention.

7. 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. G4S, a global security corporation, is heavily involved in providing services to Israeli prisons that jail Palestinian political prisoners – there is a global call to boycott it. Palestinian political prisoners have issued a specific call urging action on G4S. Learn more about BDS at bdsmovement.net.

Letter Text:
To Brigadier General Dani Afroni, Military Judge Advocate General and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu;

I write today to demand the immediate release of Palestinian hunger striker Muhammad Allan, arrested this morning as he left Barzilai Hospital after his detention was ended. His 65-day hunger strike achieved the end of his imprisonment without charge or trial. His unjustified imprisonment highlighted Israel’s unlawful and abusive detention policy before the world, and the international rejection of Israeli administrative detention cannot be silenced by rearresting this Palestinian lawyer.

I also demand the end of the use of administrative detention. There are currently 7 Palestinian prisoners in administrative detention without charge or trial – Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Munir Abu Sharar, Badr Al-Ruzza, Bilal Daoud Saifi and Suleiman Skafi – hunger striking since August 20 to demand an end to this illegal and unjust policy.

Dozens of Palestinian administrative detainees are boycotting the military courts that produce these arbitrary sentences with no charge and no trial. I join their call to end this detention.

The life and health of all of the hunger strikers – and of Allan, whose health was nearly destroyed at the behest of the Israeli military and its continued unjust imprisonment – is precious to me and to people around the world. The eyes of the world are on these case, and the government of Israel is fully responsible for the hunger strikers’ health and lives.

Administrative detention violates the right to a fair trial as recognized in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights. It is a practice that is used to silence Palestinians without ever exposing the reality of such actions to the light of day – even in the rigged military court systems.

Allan must be released immediately and without condition and transferred to Najah hospital in Nablus, along with the release of Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Munir Abu Sharar, Badr Al-Ruzza, Bilal Daoud Saifi and Suleiman Skafi and all of their fellow administrative detainees.

Sincerely,

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Palestinian hunger strikers face increasing medical crisis; Skafi family opens support tent in Al-Khalil

15 September 2015

The family of Suleiman Skafi, 30, a Palestinian prisoner held in Israeli jails under administrative detention on hunger strike against the policy, has launched a solidarity tent to support his strike outside his home in Al-Khalil. On 1 September, Skafi joined Nidal Abu Aker, Ghassan Zawahreh, Shadi Ma’ali, Badr al-Ruzza, Munir Abu Sharar and Bilal Daoud Saifi in the “Battle of Breaking the Chains,” an open hunger strike demanding an end to the imprisonment of Palestinians without charge or trial.

Skafi, like his fellow strikers, is suffering medically from his strike: he is experiencing weakness, body pains, stomach pains and insomnia. He has been transferred three times via “Bosta” during the strike and is held, like the other hunger strikers, in solitary confinement. Skafi is held now in isolation in the Naqab desert prison.

Skafi has been held without charge or trial under administrative detention since 12 November 2014 under secret evidence. He has been arrested five times and spent six years in Israeli jails, and after torture under interrogation, now experiences chronic pain in his joints and legs. He participated in the collective “Karameh” hunger strike against isolation in 2012 during his imprisonment.

Abu Aker, Zawahreh, Ma’ali, Abu Sharar and al-Ruzza have been on hunger strike since 20 August. They have all been transferred repeatedly and denied legal visits, held in solitary confinement. No information about their health has been released; meanwhile, fellow hunger striker Bilal Daoud Saifi has been denied his necessary medication for a chronic condition.

Actions in Palestine continued to support the prisoners; a rally in Gaza City was organized by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine outside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in support of the strike. The Democratic Assembly of Journalists joined the rally, expressing their support for their colleague Nidal Abu Aker, resident of Dheisheh refugee camp and a radio journalist for Sawt al-Wihda, the only radio station entirely produced inside the camp. A similar event, organized by all Palestinian political parties, will take place today, Tuesday, 15 September in Ramallah, with a protest tent to support the prisoners outside the ICRC, as well as marches and activities to support Jerusalem against Israeli attacks, and to demand freedom for the prisoners.

Lyon, France: “Gaza Beach” action calls for end of siege, freedom for Palestinian prisoners

15 September 2015

On 5 September 2015, over 1,000 people in Lyon, France came out to the “Gaza Beach Lyon” to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and on hunger strike in Israeli jails. Organized by Collectif 69 Palestine, the afternoon gathering included a speech by Gilles Devers, a lawyer from Lyon, on Israeli violations of international law, the International Criminal Court and administrative detention, as well as Palestinian songs and a speech from Gaza by Ziad Medoukh.

The event, demanding an end to the siege on Gaza, the rebuilding of Gaza, freedom for Palestinian prisoners and an end to administrative detention, also included flags and banners demanding freedom for the prisoners and supporting those involved in the “Battle of Breaking the Chains,” since 20 August.

UDAP Italy: Call to action for hunger striking Palestinian prisoners

15 September 2015

The following statement was released by the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union (UDAP), a Palestinian community organization in Italy. See the original here: http://www.udap.it/blog/2015/09/14/appello-per-lappoggio-e-il-sostegno-allo-sciopero-della-fame-dei-prigionieri-amministrativi-nelle-carceri-israeliane/. Italian follows English.

On 20 August 2015, 5 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Zionist jails launched a hunger strike against the practice of “administrative detention” perpetrated by the Zionist authority and against the policies of repression of the prison administration.

They are Nidal Abu Aker (48 years), Ghassan Zawahreh (34 years), Shadi Ma’ali (39 years), Munir Abu Sharar (31 years) and Badr Ruzzeh (27 years.)

As the strike progressed, more prisoners have and will joined the strike: there are over 350 Palestinians held under the administrative detention regime, the “legal” practice which imprisons Palestinians without charge or trial for up to 6 month renewable periods. Political representatives and activists are particularly at risk of targeted arrests and administrative detention “sentences.”

So far this year, most administrative detainees have had their detention renewed multiple times, so some prisoners spend several years of their lives deprived of freedom, with no idea of when they will reclaim their freedom, their detention renewed every 3 to 6 months.

The number of those who have announced their intention to join the collective hunger strike continues to increase.

Therefore, the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union calls upon all to organize and participate in activities in support of the battle of the Palestinian prisoners and to escalate the movement for international isolation and economic, cultural and academic boycott of the Zionist entity.

14 September 2015

Arab Palestinian Democratic Union (UDAP) – Italy

**

Italiano:

Il 20 agosto 2015, cinque prigionieri palestinesi nelle carceri sioniste hanno lanciato uno sciopero della fame contro la pratica della “detenzione amministrativa”, perpetrata dalle autorità sioniste, e contro le politiche di repressione da parte dell’amministrazione carceraria.

Si tratta di Nidal Abu Aker (48 anni), Ghassan Zawahreh (34 anni), Shadi Ma’ali (39 anni), Munir Abu Sharar (31 anni) e Bader Ruzzeh (27 anni).

A questo sciopero hanno seguito e seguiranno nuove adesioni da parte di altri prigionieri: ad oggi i palestinesi detenuti sotto regime di detenzione amministrativa, la pratica ‘legale’ per la quale un palestinese diventa prigioniero senza accuse né processo, una pratica rinnovabile di 6 mesi in 6 mesi, sono oltre 350. Presi di mira dagli arresti e ‘condannati’ alla detenzione amministrativa sono in special modo i rappresentanti politici maggiormente esposti.

Dall’inizio dell’anno ad oggi gran parte degli arresti documentati sono rinnovi, per cui alcuni prigionieri, con rinvii dai 3 ai 6 mesi, si trovano a trascorrere diversi anni della propria vita privati della loro libertà, senza la minima idea di quando potranno riconquistarla.

Continua ad aumentare il numero di coloro che hanno annunciato l’intenzione di aderire allo sciopero della fame collettivo.

Pertanto, l’Unione Democratica Arabo Palestinese, invita ad organizzare e a partecipare alle iniziative in sostegno alla battaglia intrapresa dai prigionieri palestinesi, e rinnova l’invito a persistere con l’isolamento e il boicottaggio economico, culturale ed accademico dell’entità sionista.

14/09/2015
Unione Democratica Arabo Palestinese (UDAP)

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