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Denial of Family Visits to Palestinian Prisoners: New factsheet issued; more visits denied

Take action below: Demand an end to the denials of family visits!

famvisitFollowing the occupation prison administration’s order prohibiting family visits to imprisoned Palestinian leader and PFLP General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat for three months, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society reported on October 12 that a similar decree had been issued banning Palestinian prisoner Ibrahim Hamed from family visits for three months.

Hamed, sentenced to 54 life sentences, is, like Sa’adat, a prominent leader among Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli prisons. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, especially those from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have been barred from family visits in an arbitrary manner since June of this year.

Ibrahim Hamed
Ibrahim Hamed

Many more prisoners are denied family visits when their family members are denied permits to visit them in prison for unspecified “security” reasons.

Dr. Fahad Abu Al-Haj of the Abu Jihad Center for Prisoners Affairs also reported that a large number of prisoners at Ofer prison are current

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association launched a new factsheet on the denial of family visits, focusing on two case studies, including that of Ahmad Sa’adat’s family. See the full factsheet here or download as PDF.


Palestinian prisoners subject to isolation, violent raids in Israeli prisons

prisonPalestinian prisoners are facing ongoing repression and violations of their rights in Israeli jails, Palestinian lawyers and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society reported.

Palestinian lawyer Fadi Obeidat said that 13 prisoners have been isolated in Nafha prison since August 3, after occupation prison administrators announced they had found a tunnel inside Gilboa prison. They were firrst isolated in Gilboa, then transferred to Hasharon, and then to Nafha. They also were denied family visits for 2 months, access to the canteen for 2 months and fined 450 shekels each.

Obeidat also reported that in the isolation section in Nafha, Palestinian prisoners are held with Israeli “criminal” (as differentiated from “security” prisoners within the Israeli prison system) prisoners, leading to a high level of tension in the sections. In addition, the section has no ventilation as the windows are closed; the prisoners held there can leave their cells for only 2 hours each day, and are shackled by hands and feet at that time.

Palestinian prisoner Azmi Mardawi, as related by his lawyers, held in Megiddo prison, reported that there are another group of 12 prisoners segregated in Megiddo, who are denied access to the canteen and family visits. They receive intensive cell inspections 3 times a day and frequently at night, in which prisoners’ belongings are ransacked and damaged by prison security forces.

Dr. Fahad Abu al-Haj of the Abu Jihad Center for Prisoners Affairs reported that Israeli prison security services had raided prison sections in Ramon prison, ransacking prisoners’ belongings and suddenly transferring several prisoners.

In the Negev prison, prisoners have been subjected to repeated raids and abusive inspections without reason, reported Palestinian lawyer Moataz Shqeirat. Furthermore, Shqeirat said that Palestinian prisoners in the Negev prison are experiencing medical neglect and that there are dozens of ill prisoners in the prison not receiving the needed medicines for their chronic conditions.

40 administrative detention orders issued by occupation authorities

There are now well over 500 Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge or trial on the basis of secret evidence, reported the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club.

On Sunday, October 12, occupation authorities issued administrative detention orders (both first-time orders and renewals) against 40 Palestinian detainees for periods of 3-6 months. These administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable after they expire. There have been 83 administrative detention orders issued in the month of October.

Three of the administrative detainees: Azzam Salhab, Fadel Hamdan and Omar Matar, are elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. There are currently 29 members of PLC held in Israeli jails, 22 of them in administrative detention.

Online event: Palestine Solidarity Telesummit with videos on activism for Palestine

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network will be participating in the Palestine Solidarity Telesummit, an online event organized by artist and activist Katie Miranda. The event is meant to empower and inspire activists and people in support of Palestine around the world to take action to support the Palestinian movement for liberation.

There are a wide range of speakers and participants with great information and insight into the Palestinian movement for liberation – including Diana Buttu, Ahmed Kathrada, Remi Kanazi, and Susan Abulhawa – participating in the telesummit. Charlotte Kates will be participating on behalf of Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, discussing the situation of Palestinian political prisoners.
In order to participate, access the videos and more, registration is required: please join the telesummit at this link: http://bit.ly/palestine-summit6
telesummitgraphic

October 19: Belfast, Ireland: Picket in support of Palestinian prisoners

From the eirigi website:

In solidarity with our Palestinian Comrades and their call for participation in ‘days of action’ to free Palestinian political prisoners, éirígí Béal Feirste are organising a whiteline picket on Sunday 19th October at 2.30pm, at the bottom of the Whiterock Road. The following is an article from the PFLP website calling for solidarity actions – éirígí calls upon other progressive groups and organisations to mobilise in support and to get organising solidarity actions. Link to main article at end.

 pal-picket-pic

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine calls upon all to participate in the activities and campaigns that have been launched to support the Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons and demand their freedom. Events, organized by the Palestinian prisoners’ movement, the Campaign to Free Ahmad Sa’adat, and organizations around the world supporting Palestine, will take place on October 17-25, demanding freedom for Palestinian prisoners and focusing on the case of imprisoned General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat, denied family visits by occupation forces, and imprisoned Arab struggler Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, held in French prisons for 30 years.

The Front praised Sa’adat for rejecting the denial of family visits, refusing to sign the order denying him visits with his family, and noted that he is planning to launch an open hunger strike if the prison authorities do not cancel the order denying family visits and end the ongoing policy of depriving hundreds and thousands of prisoners of their most basic human rights. It urged all to raise their action and commitment to meet this challenge and stand with Sa’adat and his fellow Palestinian political prisoners as they demand their rights, especially the most basic right to family visits.

The Front said that the denial of family visits is being imposed in order to isolate Palestinian prisoners from the national movement, and a desperate measure aimed at breaking the will of the leadership of the prisoners’ movement. It noted that this is a new form of isolation, recalling that Sa’adat has been denied access to most of his family members since being kidnapped from Jericho prison on March 14, 2006 by invading occupation forces, and was held in isolation with no family visits at all for three years. It noted also that there are a large number of prisoners who are suffering from these unjust orders which escalated against them during the Zionist aggression against Gaza.

The Front demanded that Palestinian official institutions, especially embassies and missions around the world, uphold their responsibilities to their people on the issue of the prisoners, and called on international human rights bodies to take responsibility and expose and act against these violations of prisoners’ rights, saying that there is a need for concerted effort to “bang on the walls of the tank” and expose the struggles of the prisoners’ and their oppression inside the enemy prisons, in particular the orders of occupation authorities prohibiting family visits.

The Front also saluted and urged additional events in solidarity with Arab struggler Comrade Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, held in French prisons for 30 years, to put pressure on French authorities for his release. The struggle to free him is an extension of the struggle against the policy of imprisonment and isolation by the Zionist occupation against our Palestinian and Arab prisoners.

October 25: Milan, Italy – Protest for Palestinian political prisoners

-As part of the October 17-25 days of action to free Ahmad Sa’adat, Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and all Palestinian political prisoners, a protest will take place on Saturday, October 25 in Milan, Italy at the Piazza Cadorna, calling for freedom for Palestinian prisoners.

For more information and updates, follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1510834452488357/

Raed Abubadawia to be released today

Breaking news:

Raed Abubadawia, Palestinian-French law professor at Al-Najah University in Nablus, is being released!

Following a morning hearing on October 7, and a large campaign from family, friends and Palestine solidarity activists in France (Soutien a Raed), he is currently en route to the Nablus checkpoint where he will be released today; he is awaited by friends and family.

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November 1, Paris: Massive concert for Palestine benefits Addameer

From Midday to Midnight for a Free Palestine

Docks of Paris, Eurosites
50 Av. du President Wilson 93200
La Plaine-Saint Denis
Metro: Front-Populaire, Line 12
Paris, France
November 1, 2014
More information: https://www.facebook.com/FreePalestineParis1erNovembre

frontJoining musicians and personalities from around the world, thousands will attend a massive concert for freedom for Palestine and boycott, divestment and sanctions against the Israeli occupation on Saturday, November 1, 2014 in Paris.

Performers will include: Mohammed Assaf (of “Arab Idol”) La Compagnie Jolie Môme, Phil Mansour, Palestine Dabke troupe, HK and the Saltimbanks, Gnawa Diffusion – Amazigh Kateb, Rim el-Banna, Jony McLoad, Al-Quds Orchestra, La Jonction, Abdel and the BDS Choir.

Speakers will include: Sahar Francis of Addameer from Palestine, former Palestinian political prisoner Mahmoud Sarsak, Hana Salah (Palestine), Ronnie Kasrils (South Africa), Jean Ziegler (Switzerland), Iyad Burnat (Palestine), Jacques Gaillot (France), Carlos Latuff (Brazil), Maurice Rasjfus, Nabil Abu Shammala (Palestine), Annette Groth (Member of Parliament in Germany with DIE LINKE)

Tickets are on sale now: €15 for the whole day, from noon to midnight (€20 on-site on November 1), free for children under ten years old.

Proceeds will benefit: Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and Nebras Al-Ajyal, the Association for the Disabled in Gaza)

Tickets are available

backIn Paris, at Librarie Resistances, 4 Villa Compoint, 75017, Paris (open Tuesday through Saturday, 2 PM to 8 PM)

By writing to CAPJPO-EuroPalestine, 16bis rue d’Odessa, 75014, Paris – we will send tickets to you when receiving your check

From our members, for more information, email freepalestine1ernovembre@gmail.com

From FNAC and online stores: www.fnac.com, www.francebillet.com, www.ticketmaster.com

More information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreePalestineParis1erNovembre

Sponsors: Union of Palestinian Associations in France, Abna Philistine, EuroPalestine

Endorsers: INTERNATIONAL : Boycott National Committee (BNC, Palestine) – Australian Friends of Palestine – Women for Palestine (Australia) – Codepink (USA)- Scottish PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign)- CPJPO (Luxembourg)- ABP Liège (Belgique) – BDS Suisse- ACOR (Association Romande COntre le Racisme, Suisse) – Football Against Apartheid (UK)- Association Belgo-Palestinienne de Liège (Belgique) – – BDS Maroc – PALMED (Association de médecins européens pour la Palestine).

FRANCE : Femmes en lutte 93, Les Amis d’Al-Rowwad, Nanterre Palestine- Droits Devant, Collectif Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, Collectif Palestine 69, Musiciens pour Gaza, PALMED (Association de médecins européens pour la Palestine), Club de foot « FREE PALESTINE 93 » ( FSGT 93 Foot à 7), Association Repères (Libourne), Collectif Caladois pour la Palestine, Comité Poitevin Palestine, Collectif de Soutien à la Résistance Palestinienne 59-62, Croissant Fertile, LGBT/OM, Fédération Total Respect (Tjenbé Rèd), Shechora Ani Venava (Amicale juive des personnes lesbiennes, gaies, bi & trans de couleur), Onzième DOM, Collectif « Non à Guerlain ! Non à la négrophobie ! », UJ2FOM (Union juive des Françaises & Français d’outre-mers), Cégom (Collectif des Etats-Généraux d’Outre-Mer – Fédération des Français/es d’outre-mers), Collectif Freedom For Palestine Belfort-Montbéliard, Les Désobéissants, Collectif Palestine 43, Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs

October 18, London: Addameer’s Sahar Francis speaks on “Israel: Above the law?”

Israel: above the law?

Saturday 18 October 2014 3 – 7pm
Amnesty International UK
17-25 New Inn Yard
London
EC2A 3EA

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/287627934781798/


atlJoin Palestine Legal Action Network (PLAN) and War on Want for a meeting and discussion with legal experts and campaigners: Where does international law stand on Israel?

2014 marks the 10 year anniversary of the International Court of Justice ruling on the illegality of Israel’s Wall. What have the effects of this ruling been on the ground? Can we utilize law to achieve justice for Palestinians and how can you support legal actions and join justice for Palestine campaigns?

Guest Speakers
John Duggard, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2001–2008; judge ad hoc International Court of Justice.

Sahar Francis, General Director of Ramallah-based Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, providing legal and advocacy support to Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli and Palestinian prisons.

Nimer Sultany, Lecturer in Public Law, School of Law, SOAS, University of London. Previously, he was Postdoctoral Fellow at SUNY Law School. He holds an SJD from Harvard.

Rafeef Ziadah is Senior Campaigns Officer at War on Want and member of the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions national committee secretariat.

Chaired by Brenna Bhandar, Senior Lecturer in law at SOAS School of Law.

No registration necessary, but seating is limited so please arrive early to guarantee seat.

 

October 25: Protest for Irish and Palestinian Political Prisoners – Albuquerque, NM

irpalProtest for Irish and Palestinian Political Prisoners
Saturday, October 25
1:00 PM (Location TBA, see Facebook for updates)
Albuquerque, NM, USA
More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1471630239752636

Join Red Student Faction – UNM and UNM SJP for a Rally in Albuquerque to support Irish and Palestinian Political Prisoners. 


This event is in conjunction with the 4th Annual International Days of support for the Irish POWS
http://supportthepows.wordpress.com/
As well as the Annual Days of Action to Free Ahmad Sa’adat http://freeahmadsaadat.org/2014/10/03/october-17-25-free-ahmad-saadat-and-georges-abdallah-end-the-denial-of-family-visits/