UPDATE: Khalida Jarrar’s administrative detention hearing postponed for 6 days

8 April 2015

As protesters, including political leaders, gathered outside the Ofer military court, the hearing to confirm the 6 month administrative detention order for imprisonment without charge or trial against Palestinian leftist leader, feminist and parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar was postponed for 6 days, until Tuesday, April 14. Take action and demand her immediate freedom:

A report from Addameer follows:

The Ofer Military Court judge determined today (Wednesday, 8 April 2015) to postpone the confirmation hearing for PLC member Khalida Jarrar’s administrative detention order until Tuesday, 14 April 2015.

According to Mrs. Jarrar’s legal counsel Adv. Mahmoud Hassan, the military prosecution presented the court with 34 pieces of “open evidence,” that had not been provided to the defense team prior to the confirmation hearing. For this reason, Mrs. Jarrar’s defense team requested six days to review the evidences and allegations against Mrs. Jarrar. It should be noted that only a portion of the file was released to the lawyers. Mrs. Jarrar is also detained under secret evidence that will never be revealed to the lawyers throughout the duration of her administrative detention.

According to Adv. Hassan, despite the presented evidence that is substantial to formally indict Mrs. Jarrar, the military prosecution did not charge her, and verbally stated that they do not intend to do so in order to guarantee she remain in detention. Thus far, the evidences presented against Mrs. Jarrar revolve around her activities as a political leader, including videos of her attending demonstrations. An indictment on such minor charges can potentially allow for her release on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

Addameer confirms that this is a politically motivated arrest which contravenes international law, specifically the Geneva Convention IV, and her rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Khalida Jarrar (52 years old) was arrested Thursday, 02 April 2015 from her home in Ramallah at 1:30AM. The Military Commander issued a 6-month administrative detention order on Sunday, 05 April 2015.

Mrs. Jarrar is one of 14 Palestinian Legislative Council members that is currently imprisoned, of which eight are held under administrative detention orders without charge or trial based on secret evidences.

Addameer calls on all local diplomatic missions, representative offices, international organizations and human rights organizations to publicly denounce the detention of Palestinian elected officials. Addameer requests the presence of the above as observers of Mrs. Jarrar’s court hearing on Tuesday, 14 April 2015.

Now is the time to escalate action and pressure against the administrative detention of Khalida Jarrar and against the system of administrative detention, which imprisons Palestinian without charge or trial.

For ongoing updates on the case of Khalida Jarrar, please see https://samidoun.net/khalidajarrar

Take Action to support Khalida Jarrar:

1. Click here: Send a message to the Israeli Occupation Forces and demand the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar.It is important that the occupation learns that Khalida has supporters around the world who will not be silent in the face of this injustice.

2. Sign the petition! Sign and share this petition, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar immediately.

3. 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. Parliamentarians have a responsibility to pressure Israel to cancel this order.

4. Send a letter to Khalida Jarrar – help support her and show her jailers that the world is with her!

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

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

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. Learn more at bdsmovement.net.

April 18, Brussels: Demonstration for Palestinian Political Prisoners

8 April 2015

Rally in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners
Saturday, April 18, 2015
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Place du Luxembourg
Brussels, Belgium
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/797152387028035/

Organized by the Palestinian Community in Belgium and Luxembourg

Protests in Palestine and US demand freedom for Khalida Jarrar

8 April 2015

Demonstrations in the US and in Palestine demanded freedom for Khalida Jarrar, imprisoned Palestinian parliamentarian, leftist political leader and feminist.

On Monday, April 6, the Red Student Faction at the University of New Mexico held a protest in Albuquerque, NM, US, calling for freedom for Khalida Jarrar and all Palestinian political prisoners:

And in Gaza, on April 6, the National and Islamic Forces held a protest at the International Committee of the Red Cross, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar and all Palestinian prisoners, with attendees carrying posters and banners calling for the prisoners’ liberation. Speakers included Dr. Mariam Abu Daqqa, member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and a former political prisoner, who said “We have come out today to support the prisoners’ movement who will struggle and resist…who prove that the statements of the Zionists that they are captives is false. The will and the minds of the Palestinian prisoners are free.”

She demanded an end to Palestinian Authority security coordination with Israel, calling for the implementation of PLO Central Council resolutions to end all such coordination, and urged that Palestinian embassies around the world must end their silence on the issue of Palestinian prisoners and instead work to free them and build international support. Mustafa Maslamani, a former prisoner, spoke about the current situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including the escalating attacks and violence against prisoners perpetrated by guards and security forces. Photos:

Demonstrator holds a photo of Khalida Jarrar

Also, in Ramallah, on April 7, the General Union of Palestinian Women protested outside the International Committee of the Red Cross, demanding freedom for Jarrar and all Palestinian prisoners, and announcing activities for the upcoming Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, April 17:

For more information about the case of Khalida Jarrar, please see https://samidoun.net/khalidajarrar

Take Action to support Khalida Jarrar:

1. Click here: Send a message to the Israeli Occupation Forces and demand the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar.It is important that the occupation learns that Khalida has supporters around the world who will not be silent in the face of this injustice.

2. Sign the petition! Sign and share this petition, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar immediately.

3. 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. Parliamentarians have a responsibility to pressure Israel to cancel this order.

4. Send a letter to Khalida Jarrar – help support her and show her jailers that the world is with her!

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

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

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. Learn more at bdsmovement.net.

Take Action: Letter Writing Campaign for Khalida Jarrar!

8 April 2015

Libera Palestina- Uniti per la Palestina Italia has launched a letter and postcard writing campaign, #solidalpost, in support of Khalida Jarrar. The campaign has in the past sent hundreds of letters and postcards to Palestinian political prisoners, particularly Palestinian women prisoners such as Shireen Issawi, Bushra al-Tawil, and Lina Khattab. In response to the imprisonment without charge or trial of Palestinian leftist and feminist leader Khalida Jarrar, they have launched a campaign to write to Khalida. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges people around the world to join the campaign and send letters and postcards to Khalida Jarrar and all Palestinian prisoners.

Please note that Israeli authorities often deny Palestinian prisoners access to the mail; however, your letters will make a real impact in showing the jailers the widespread international solidarity with Khalida Jarrar.

The call follows:

LET’S WRITE TO KHALIDA JARRAR!

In the last three weeks, for our #solidalpost campaign, many have written postcards to Palestinian women segregated into the G4S HaSharon prison, to break their isolation. Now the Zionist regime has made a further escalation with the arrest of Khalida Jarrar, a parliamentarian! We MUST write our solidarity to Khalida! A letter or, at least, a postcard of admiration and love. In any case they’ll be noticed by Israel the illegal colonialist jailer! and the voice will spread of our massive demonstration of solidarity and approval of the patriotic fight of Khalida Jarrar!

This the letter:

Ms Khalida Jarrar
Palestinian Legislative Council Member
HaSharon Prison
Even Yehuda
P. O. Box 7
40.330 Israel

Dear Khalida Jarrar:

I hope this letter will reach you in your cell in detention. I write in solidarity and love for you and for every Palestinian prisoner – man, woman or child – who has suffered under Israeli oppression and denial of the most fundamental human rights by a colonizing, apartheid state that continues to oppress Palestinians with impunity in unconscionable ways and means.

I salute your political work, your patriotism and your sumoud. I pledge to continue to educate and raise awareness about the injustice meted out to Palestinians with the complicity and active participation of Western powers – and also to continue to protest such outrages as your illegal detention.

From (city, country), I salute you and your comrades.
[name, surname, CAP/ZIP, city, country]

Libera Palestina – United for Palestine Italy

PCHR, Ha’aretz editorial denounce Jarrar’s detention; Danish, French, Italian solidarity

8 April 2015

Responses and denunciations of the detention of Palestinian leader, leftist and parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar continued to mount in the lead-up to the Israeli Ofer military court hearing expected to confirm her 6-month order to administrative detention without charge or trial on April 8.

Ha’aretz, the Israeli newspaper, published an editorial denouncing Jarrar’s administrative detention without charge or trial (link here without registration):

But Jarrar apparently dared to violate the foolish order and for that she is being punished now with administrative detention. This is how Israel seeks to deter every Palestinian public activist — not to mention one involved with advancing the processes in the International Criminal Court — from realizing his or her rights.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights issued a statement demanding Jarrar’s release:

PCHR calls upon the international community to practice pressure on Israeli authorities to put an end to the administrative detention policy, which violates the right to a fair trial.

On Sunday, 05 April 2015, the Israeli military commander issued an order putting PLC member Khalida Jarrar (52) under a six-month administrative detention.

According to human rights sources, a hearing is supposed to be held at the military court in Ofer, west of Ramallah, on 08 April to confirm or reduce the detention order.

The order came four days after Jarrar had been arrested on Thursday morning, 02 April, when Israeli forces raided her house in al-Bireh and took her to Hasharon prison for women in Israel.

It should be noted that Ms. Jarrar is a PLC Member representing Abu Ali Mostafa Bloc and a member of the political bureau of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Israeli forces raided her house previously on 20 August 2014 and handed her a military order transferring her to Jericho until 19 February 2015 on the pretext she “poses threat to the security of the region and she should be placed under private surveillance”.

However, Jarrar refused to sign the order that was written in Hebrew, but Jarrar refused to comply with the order and held a sit-in in the PLC yard in Ramallah. Later on, Israeli forces reduced the transfer period to one month, which already ended in mid-September.

Over 500 prisoners are placed under administrative detention in Israeli jails, 15 of whom are PLC Members, including Dr. Aziz Dweik, Speaker of the PLC, in a flagrant violation of the right to a fair trial, including the right to receive an appropriate defense and to be informed of the charges against them.

Administrative detention is applied by an administrative order only without referring to a court, thus violating the standards of impartial judicial procedures, as Israeli forces detain persons in secret preventing the detainees of their lawyers from learning about their charges, or even about evidence used against them.

As a result, they are denied the right to be properly defended in fair trial In light of that, PCHR calls for:

1. The immediate release of Khalida Jarrar and all Palestinian PLC members in Israeli jails; and

2. Human rights organizations and international solidarity organizations to conjugate efforts to force Israel to stop the administrative detention policy, which violates the right to fair trial.

Danish left-wing newspaper Arbejderen featured a full-page article on Khalida Jarrar and her imprisonment on April 8:

French anti-imperialist collective Coup Pour Coup 31 issued a statement in solidarity with Jarrar:

La députée palestinienne Khalida Jarrar, enlevée par les forces d’occupation à son domicile le jeudi 2 avril 2015 a été condamnée sans jugement ni même chef d’inculpation à 6 mois de prison ferme.

Elle doit comparaître devant un tribunal militaire israélien ce mercredi, ou sera confirmée la détention mais sans passer en procès.

Khalida fait maintenant partie des 15 députés palestiniens détenus par les forces israéliennes d’occupation, signale Addameer.

Khalida est dirigeante du Front Populaire pour la Libération de la Palestine (FPLP) et est étroitement impliquée dans les questions liées aux prisonniers.

Le FPLP a déclaré dimanche dernier : “Elle (Khalida) est un exemple de la grande immuabilité du peuple palestinien, qui ne cesse pas de résister à l’occupation malgré les arrestations ou les expulsions, comme elle l’a fait quand elle a défié et défait l’ordre qui l’expulsait à Jéricho.

Le Front a appelé en urgence à une campagne plus large de solidarité avec Jarrar et a pressé toutes les institutions officielles palestiniennes à assumer leurs responsabilités pour agir en urgence aux niveaux politiques et diplomatiques afin de la libérer.”

Des actions de solidarité ont été faites partout dans le monde. Amplifions la mobilisation !

Liberté pour Khalida Jarrar !

Liberté pour tous les prisonniers palestiniens !

Italian organization Fronte Palestina also issued a statement of solidarity:

On the morning of Thursday, April 2 the forces of Zionist occupation army arrested in Ramallah Comrade Khalida Jarrar, member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a lawyer and deputy of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Khalida is also a member of the Palestinian National Commission for the International Criminal Court. In occupied Palestine, she was seized from her home, surrounded by over sixty Israeli soldiers and several snipers.

This operation is clearly intended to intimidate the Palestinian Resistance to the Zionist Occupation and to the normalization projects – read collaboration- implemented by the Palestinian bourgeoisie in the Authority. Of course, the repressive Zionist compulsion to repeat this makes this attack a “routine” operation, echoed and amplified in the attacks against prisoners by Zionist guards.

The operation that led to the arrest of Khalida Jarra is already being confronted with international solidarity and is doomed to fail, as did the previous “expulsion order” of Khalida from her city of Ramallah to Jericho, ordered against Khalida in September 2014 and quashed after a large popular mobilization.

In reaffirming our total and unconditional solidarity with Comrade Khalida Jarrar and all the comrades and Palestinian prisoners in the jails of the occupation, and in those of the Authority, we reiterate our commitment to the side of the Palestinian resistance.

Freedom for Khalida Jarrar!
Freedom for the Palestinian prisoners in Zionist jails!

Take Action: Defend the life of Mumia Abu Jamal, US political prisoner!

6 April 2015

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network stands in full solidarity with the struggle to free political prisoners around the world, particularly the political prisoners of the Black Liberation Movement, Puerto Rican Movement, Indigenous Movement, Colombian, Palestinian and other anti-colonial and liberation movement prisoners in United States prisons. One of the leaders of the movement inside and outside the prisons is Mumia Abu-Jamal, longtime political prisoner, former Black Panther, political commentator and writer.

In a situation highly reminiscent of the systematic medical neglect and “slow execution” directed against Palestinian political prisoners by the Israeli regime (denial of appropriate medical care, denial of testing and treatment, denial of access to independent doctors), Mumia Abu-Jamal has been facing a serious health crisis and his friends and family are deeply concerned for his life. Denial of medical care is a method of execution of political prisoners, and is a crisis from the US to Palestine. Take action to demand proper medical care, justice and freedom for Mumia Abu Jamal! Below is information, links and actions from the US-based campaigns to Free Mumia Abu Jamal, including the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal and the Campaign to Bring Mumia Home:

This government has been trying to murder Mumia for 34 years. The power of this movement stopped his execution in 1995 and 1999, and got him off of death row. Now they’re deliberately trying to murder him through medical neglect and intentional torture. This situation is urgent and couldn’t be more serious. Mumia is currently in a wheelchair, two days ago he couldn’t stand up, his speech is slurred, and he can barely hold a bottle of water. This isn’t just medical neglect, this is a continuation of the premeditated murder that was set in place when Mumia was shot in the chest, was rammed headfirst into a steel pole, and was then railroaded through the courts and onto deathrow. Just two months ago Phil Africa died under similar suspicious circumstances. We have absolutely no time to waste.

On Monday, March 30, Mumia Abu-Jamal lost consciousness at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Mahanoy and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was admitted with a blood sugar level of 779, suffering from diabetic shock, and a dangerously high sodium level of 160. His wife, Wadiya Jamal and son Jamal Hart were informed by doctors that he has new onset diabetes, and that on arrival his kidneys were abnormal and he had a high sodium level that risked brain damage. This medical emergency followed several months of health problems, including elevated glucose levels, that were not adequately addressed by prison health care staff, resulting in a rapid deterioration in his condition with near-fatal consequences.

After being held incommunicado for approximately 24 hours, family members were permitted to visit on Tuesday and Wednesday in response to an international outcry. On Wednesday, April 1, Mumia was transported back to the prison infirmary despite not ever seeing a diabetes specialist and without a diagnosis of the cause of his diabetic shock, or a treatment plan.

Mumia was visited on Friday and he is still in medical danger. His blood sugar levels are not stable, shooting up to 300 at one point on Friday, he had to be taken to the visiting room in a wheel chair, he has lost substantial weight, and has other symptoms that require specialized diagnostic and treatment care that is not available at the prison infirmary.

Mumia must see a diabetes specialist (endocrinologist) in order to be properly diagnosed and provided with an individual treatment plan specific to him. Prison officials have a constitutional obligation to treat serious medical needs, and that includes providing specialist care when it is medically indicated. Newly onset diabetes with fluctuating blood sugar levels and a range of potentially related health problems requires specialist care.

Inadequate treatment of diabetes is deadly and can lead to loss of kidney function, nerve neuropathy and amputation of feet and hands.

Stopped from carrying out the death penalty against Mumia Abu-Jamal by a worldwide movement that spanned three decades, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has been attempting over the past three months to execute him by medical neglect.

The murder of aging political prisoners by denying them inadequate health care has happened before. Earlier this year, MOVE 9 member Phil Africa died under suspicious circumstances at SCI Dallas. The lack of standard medical treatment impacts all prisoners, particularly those over 55.

We are demanding that the state of Pennsylvania cease and desist in their attempts to murder political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal:

●Allow daily visits by Mumia’s family, friends and attorneys. Their support and protection at this time of vulnerability should not be restricted.

●Allow Mumia’s choice of specialist doctors to examine and schedule treatment for him — NOW. Neither the prison staff at SCI Mahanoy nor the Schuylkill Medical Center has a diabetes specialist. There is precedent in Pennsylvania for this. Prisoner John E. du Pont, an heir to the du Pont chemical fortune, was allowed care by private doctors during imprisonment. Mumia deserves the same.

●Release Mumia’s medical records to his attorneys.

●Release from prison all the elderly age 55 and over. Mumia will turn 61 on April 24.

●Allowa full investigation of prison health care in Pennsylvania.

●Mumia is innocent and should never have been incarcerated. We demand his immediate release.

We are calling on everyone to participate in the following actions over the next few days:

1. Call, fax and email the following state officials to raise the above demands.Take action now – demand that the Department of Corrections permit Mumia to have a diabetes specialist of his choosing. Say you are calling about prisoner WESLEY COOK, # AM8335:

~ DOC Secretary John Wetzel: 717-728-4109; crpadocsecretary@pa.gov.

~ Gov. Tom Wolf: 717-787-2500; fax 717-772-8284; governor@pa.gov.

~ Prison Superintendent John Kerestes: 570-773-2158; contact.doc@pa.gov.

~ Director, PA Dept of Corrections Health Care Services Christopher Oppman, 717-728-5309

2. Sign this petition demanding proper health care, visitor access, and freedom for Mumia: https://www.change.org/p/john-e-wetzel-pa-secretary-of-corrections-tom-wolf-pa-governor-stop-the-medical-execution-of-mumia-abu-jamal-by-neglect-and-malpractice-3

3. Donate to Mumia’s Medical Fund: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mumia-abu-jamal-needs-medical-care-now

4. Tweet widely using the hashtags #mumiamustlive, #saveMumia and #Blacklivesmatter.

Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees calls for solidarity action to free Jarrar and all prisoners

6 April 2015

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees denounced the Israeli occupation authorities’ arrest and detention of the struggler and leader Khalida Jarrar, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, feminist and Palestinian national leader.

“The fact that the occupation authorities are administratively detaining Jarrar reflects their ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people and their utter defiance of international laws and norms, especially since Khalida Jarrar is an elected member of Parliament and one of the most prominent women human rights defenders in Palestine. The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees urge all activists and campaigners for freedom, in Palestine and internationally, to build campaigns of solidarity with Khalida, and with all of the Palestinian political prisoners, until their freedom.”

Knesset Joint List denounces arrest, detention of Jarrar

6 April 2015

Aida Touma-Suleiman, Member of Knesset for the Joint List and a member of the Political Bureau of the Israeli Communist Party, condemned the administrative detention order against Khalida Jarrar on April 5.

“This arrest is a stain on the conscience of the rulers of Israel, joining the crimes of occupation – firstly, confiscating the freedom of an entire people, including thousands of prisoners, with 16 members of Parliament detained in Israeli jails, led by the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Aziz Dweik.” Touma-Suleiman urged parliamentarians around the world to struggle to release Jarrar and all the detained Palestinian MPs.

Earlier, the Joint List condemned the arrest of Jarrar, calling it a violation of international law and conventions. “The arrest of Jarrar is a repressive and arbitrary step, part of a framework of targeting activists against the occupation. The occupation authorities issued an order to expel Jarrar to Jericho, but she refused to obey, challenged them, and did not abide by the order, and this courageous stance angered the occupation authorities. But these authorities must understand that using arrest as revenge against a publicly elected official is an arbitrary step, contrary to international laws and norms. In any case, it will not stop Jarrar and her colleagues and comrades in the struggle, despite arrest, deportation and repression in all forms. The arrest of Jarrar, one of 16 detained members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, including Marwan Barghouti, PLC speaker Aziz Dweik, and Ahmad Sa’adat, General Secretary of the Popular Front, is a message to the parliaments of the world and the World Federation of Parliaments that these institutions must play a role in defending the rights of Palestinian MPs and protecting them from arbitrary or vindictive detention. This reveals once again the ugly face of the occupation, which must be exposed internationally, especially in light of the extreme right-wing government, which has declared publicly that it does not adhere to agreements and commitments, including respect for the Palestinian elections and their results.”

The statement also noted that the Joint List supports the right of the Palestinian Arab people to resist the occupation and struggle for their freedom, a just and democratic project based on international law. It also called for building the struggle to confront repression and restrictions on freedom of movement, arbitrary arrests, and human rights violations by occupation authorities. The list called for the immediate release of MP Khalida Jarrar and other detained MPs, who have exercised their right and duty to struggle against the occupation, and emphasized the importance of Palestinian unity in the struggle to free the prisoners of freedom.

Breaking News: Khalida Jarrar ordered to six months administrative detention

5 April 2015

Khalida Jarrar, Palestinian leader, parliamentarian and feminist, has been issued a six-month administrative detention order imprisoning her without charge or trial, at the behest of the Israeli military commander in the West Bank, reported Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association – Jarrar’s lawyers – on April 5. TAKE ACTION: Demand freedom for Khalida Jarrar!

Mahmoud Hassan, lawyer with Addameer and director of its Legal Unit, reported that a military court session at Ofer will confirm the order on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Jarrar is the former Executive Director of Addameer and Vice President of its Board of Directors, as well as the chair of the Palestinian Legislative Council Prisoners’ Committee and a member of the Palestinian national follow-up committee for the International Criminal Court.

In response to the order, Addameer noted that the use of administrative detention by the Israeli occupation is illegal and arbitrary detention and amounts to a war crime, “willfully depriving a prisoner of war or other protected person of their right to a fair and regular trial.” It urged the international community to work hard to end arbitrary administrative detention and free all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Hassan said further that he visited Jarrar this morning in HaSharon prison, that she is in good health and taking her prescribed medication, but that she needs ongoing health care. She is now one of nine members of the Palestinian Legislative Council held without charge or trial under administrative detention orders.

Administrative detention is the imprisonment of Palestinians without charge or trial and on the basis of secret evidence for up to six month periods, indefinitely renewable by Israeli military courts. The use of administrative detention dates from the “emergency laws” of the British colonial era in Palestine. Israel’s use of administrative detention violates international law; such detention is allowed only in individual circumstances that are exceptionally compelling for “imperative reasons of security.” In Palestine, however, Israel uses administrative detention routinely as a form of collective punishment and mass detention of Palestinians, and frequently uses administrative detention when it fails to obtain confessions in interrogations of Palestinian detainees.

For ongoing updates on the case of Khalida Jarrar, visit https://samidoun.net/khalidajarrar

TAKE ACTION!

Take Action to support Khalida Jarrar:

1. Click here: Send a message to the Israeli Occupation Forces and demand the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar.It is important that the occupation learns that Khalida has supporters around the world who will not be silent in the face of this injustice.

2. Sign the petition! Sign and share this petition, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar immediately.

3. 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. Parliamentarians have a responsibility to pressure Israel to cancel this order.

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

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

6. 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.

Letter Text: Free Khalida Jarrar Now!

To Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brigadier General Dani Efroni:

I write today to demand the immediate release of Palestinian member of parliament Khalida Jarrar. Jarrar, a longtime prisoners’ rights activist and political leader, was arrested in her Ramallah home in the early morning hours of April 2, as her home was stormed by dozens of soldiers and her husband locked in another room.

The targeting of Palestinian political leaders for arrest by Israeli occupation forces is an obvious attempt to silence and suppress Palestinian demands for freedom from occupation and apartheid. The arrest of Khalida Jarrar is also an attack on Palestinian women’s leadership and organizing. She has been issued an arbitrary six-month administrative detention order without charge or trial, in violation of international law and on the basis of secret evidence.

Thousands of people and organizations around the world stood with Khalida Jarrar against the illegal forced transfer and expulsion by the IOF last fall, and we stand with her now and demand her immediate release.

The world is watching and we stand with Khalida against this injustice.

Sincerely,

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Protest at Gaza Palestinian Legislative Council demands freedom for Jarrar

5 April 2015

A protest in solidarity with detained Palestinian leader and parliamentarian, Khalida Jarrar, was organized in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council office in Gaza City, protesting the occupation’s arrest of Jarrar in the early morning of April 2.

Dozens of activists, including members of the Political Bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, participated in the protest, carrying posters of Jarrar and banners calling for her release and the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Safa Abu Saeed spoke on behalf of the Gaza Campaign in Solidarity with Khalida Jarrar, noting that she had refused to speak or eat under interrogation in Ofer, part of her ongoing resistance to the occupation. Abu Saeed noted that this attack is an act of revenge by the occupation forces following Jarrar’s successful campaign to defeat their attempt to expel her to Jericho in late 2014, and violates international principles of parliamentary immunity, illustrating the racism of the occupation.

“We call on all parliamentarians of conscience in the world to intervene and pressure the occupation state for the release of Khalida Jarrar and all of our Palestinian prisoners,” Abu Saeed said.

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