Occupation prevents lawyer from visiting captive leader Ibrahim Hamed

16 September 2012

RAMALLAH, (PIC)— Hadarim prison administration prevented lawyer for captive Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, a Palestinian leader and a commander of the Qassam Brigades in the West Bank, from visiting him on Friday, under the pretext of declaring a state of emergency in the prison.

Hamed’s wife told Quds Press, on Saturday that the lawyer informed her that the occupation had prevented him from visiting her husband, noting that “Hadarim prison administration did not reveal the reason of declaring state of emergency in the prison.”

“A recent agreement was reached between the prison administration and the prisoners’ representatives to improve their conditions and to allow my husband to make a phone call to his family, but the prison administration did not adhere to the promises it made”, revealed Hamed’s wife.

An Israeli court had sentenced, about two months ago, Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed to 54 life-terms. He was accused, without his confession, of leading a series of operations against Israeli targets, resulting in killing of dozens of Israelis.

He had been arrested from the city of Ramallah in the West Bank in 2006, and accused of participating in killing 46 Israelis and wounding more than 400 others. The occupation had also arrested his wife then deported her to Jordan with their children.

The Zionist prison administration had held leader Hamed in solitary confinement since his arrest until last May after the prisoners’ mass hunger strike, after which the prison administration agreed to release the isolated captives, including Hamed. He was then transferred to the sections where the rest of prisoners were held.

Safa village raided, 4 youth activists arrested

13 September 2012

Another series of arrests and raids were carried out by the occupation against Palestinians in the West Bank on Wednesday.

The Palestine Information Centre reported that one of the men arrested, Raafat Shallaldah, had previously been held indefinitely in Palestinian Authority jails:

Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn on Wednesday, Raafat Yousef Shallaldah 26 of Sa’ir in Al-Khalil after storming the neighborhood of Koazibh.

Shallaldah had gone on an open-ended hunger strike after the PA intelligence’s refusal to release him as the Supreme Court of Justice had ordered. He was then released from PA jails under an agreement signed between clan dignitaries in the city of Al-Khalil and the PA security services.

Moreover, the occupation forces issued on Tuesday, a decision to renew the administrative detention of the captive Anas Amir Rasrs, 47, from the city of Al-Khalil, for 6 months for the third time in a row.

Sources within the Negev prison confirmed that the Negev prison administration handed the prisoner Rasrs the decision to extend his detention two days before his release, which caused anger among the captives.

The prisoner Anas Amir Abdul Aziz Rasrs, from the city of Al-Khalil, has spent 14 years in Israeli jails, mostly in administrative detention. He suffers from constant back pain due to the torture practiced in the prisons of the Israeli and PA jails where he had spent 9 months in a row.

The occupation forces also raided Saffa village at 3:00 AM, invading the home of young activist Victor Karajeh, the brother of Sumoud Karajeh, former prisoner freed in the October 2011 prisoner exchange. The occupation forces then invaded several other area homes, seizing Joseph Karajeh, Tariq Karajeh, and Abdo Karajeh. This is the latest of a series of raids targeting young activists in the village.

Prisoners Society: Prisoners in Etzion forced to wear dirty clothing, contract skin disease

13 September 2012

GAZA, (PIC)— The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said different skin diseases spread among the Palestinian prisoners in Etzion jail because of its administration’s policy which force them to wear used and dirty clothes.

Head of the society Qaddura Fares stated on Wednesday that the Israeli administration of Etzion deprives the prisoners of all their rights and maltreat them.

Fares added that Etzion jailers overstepped all limits and forced the prisoners to wear clothes, including underwear, used previously by other detainees.

Lawyer of the society Jacqueline Fararjeh, who visited the prisoners, said the jail administration forces any prisoner entering its premises to hand over the clothes he wear and put on instead unclean and used clothes.

The jailers also prevent the prisoners from washing these used clothes properly or drying them in the sun, so they have to wear them damp and wet, the lawyer said.

The blankets used by the prisoners in this jail are also very dirty and one of the reasons for skin diseases, she added.

She appealed to the Red Cross to hasten to follow up this issue and help the prisoners get new clothes and blankets

Lawyer: PA transfers hunger-striker to hospital

13 September 2012

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — One of two men on hunger strike with former Fatah fighter Zakaria Zubeidi in a Palestinian Authority detention facility has been hospitalized, an attorney said Tuesday.

Muhammad Turkman, a 25-year-old nursing student charged with involvement in a shooting at a police station, was taken to Jericho’s main hospital, attorney Farid Hawash said.

The other hunger striker, Salim Masar, is in his late 30s and a laborer, has not been charged, the attorney said.

Zubeidi announced on Sunday he would refuse all food and liquid until he is released from Palestinian Authority custody, after almost four months in jail without charge.

The director of Jenin refugee camp’s Freedom Theater, which Zubeidi co-founded, said staff are very concerned as people only survive without fluids for around a week.

“He has really had enough of being kept in jail with no charges,” Jonathan Stanczak said.

Zubeidi was detained on May 13 and his detention has been repeatedly renewed without charges being pressed. At a court hearing on Sunday his detention was renewed for another eight days.

A week earlier, at another renewal hearing, the judge had persuaded Zubeidi to delay his hunger strike while they gathered more information.

Palestinian prisoners hold one-day hunger strike to free Old Prisoners

13 September 2012

Maan reported that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are carrying out a one-day hunger strike in all prisons to demand the release of prisoners detained prior to the 1993 Oslo Accords – the “Old Prisoners” – of which 111 remain imprisoned, as well as to demand the implementation of the agreement ending the April-May 2012 hunger strike.

Issa Qaraqe said prisoners held in Israeli jails would launch strike action on Thursday to demand the release of prisoners detained before the 1993 Oslo Accord with Israel.

The hunger strike coincides with the anniversary of the signing of the agreement. The prisoner rights group Addameer says 111 prisoners detained before Oslo remain in jail.

Head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society Qadura Fares said Thursday that those prisoners remained in jail because of the failure of Palestinian negotiators during the Oslo Accords.

“The behavior of the Palestinian negotiator was impulsive and the issue of prisoners was not discussed or made a priority at the negotiating table,” Fares said.

Palestinian prisoners should be the most important issue “at any political meeting, convention or negotiations” with Israel, he added.

Since the signing of the accords, prisoners and their advocates have criticized Palestinian negotiators for failing to address their plight.

In October 1993, political prisoners in Juneib jail in Nablus wrote a letter “Where is our place in the Accords?” protesting their exclusion from the agreement.

In the October 1994 Gaza-Jericho agreement, minister Nabil Shaath insisted on a timetable for the release of all prisoners detained prior to the 1993 accord.

Some 4,450 prisoners were released by July 1995, but those who remained in detention “appeared to rank extremely low on the Palestinian negotiators’ agenda in the Oslo II Agreement, signed on 24 September 1995,” Addameer has said.

One page of that agreement was devoted to the release of detainees, compared to four pages detailing the special passage of Palestinian VIPs.

On Wednesday, a prisoners statement from Hadarim jail called on President Mahmoud Abbas and the countries which supported Oslo to secure the pre-Oslo detainees’ release.

Addameer: Health of Ayman Sharawna, Hassan Safadi, Samer al-Barq in immediate danger

13 September 2012

Addameer: Only immediate intervention will save the lives of three Palestinian hunger strikers

Ramallah, 12 September 2012 – Addameer is deeply concerned that the lives of the three remaining Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli prison are in immediate danger as their prolonged hunger strikes have led to a rapid deterioration in their health. Of utmost concern is the health of administrative detainees Samer al-Barq, today on his 114^th day of renewed hunger strike following his previous 30-day hunger strike, and Hassan Safadi, today on his 84^th day of renewed hunger strike following his previous 71-day hunger strike. The life of prisoner Ayman Sharawna, today on his 74^th day of hunger strike, is also in immediate danger as his health continues to deteriorate rapidly.

Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad visited Ramleh prison medical clinic yesterday, 11 September, but was again unable to meet with Samer Al-Barq as he was too weak to get out of bed. Mr. Fares did manage to meet with fellow hunger strikers Hassan Safadi and Ayman Sharawna, who informed him of Samer’s condition. According to Hassan and Ayman, Samer’s health has deteriorated so severely that he is now unable to walk and is permanently confined to bed.

The health of Hassan Safadi continues to worsen and even drinking water causes swelling in his hands and feet. His health has deteriorated so critically that on 10 September he was unable to drink any water at all. Other health conditions that Hassan is suffering from include: low immunity; contractions of the heart muscles; liver problems; kidney stones; chronic pain in his kidneys; low pulse; low blood pressure; chronic pain in his joints. On 9 September, Hassan was transferred to Assaf Harofeh hospital due to further deterioration in his health; in particular his inability to see clearly and continuous dizziness compounded by his other health problems. The subsequent results revealed a weakening of the nerves in his eyes and also that his is suffering from anemia and a shortage of protein. Despite the urgency of his condition, Hassan’s administrative detention order was confirmed for a reduced period of four months on 9 September, now due to expire on 29 October.

Ayman Sharawna is also in critical condition as his health continues to deteriorate. He has lost approximately 80 percent of the vision in his right eye and has lost all feeling in his left leg. He has been informed that his kidneys are not functioning properly and he also has extreme pain in his back, which sometimes prevents him from standing up. As reported previously, the prison authorities have attempted to pressure him by saying that they will only give him pain medication for his back if he ends his strike. For the last 10 days, Ayman has been vomiting blood as well as the water he drinks. Other problems Ayman is suffering from include low immunity; low heart beat; low fat content; low blood pressure; low sugar levels.

Ayman has requested that his left leg be examined but was told by prison doctors that this needs approval by the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). He has also refused to be transferred to a civilian hospital as this usually involves being shackled by both arms and legs to the bed. Ayman is examined one day each week by prison doctors and is currently only able to drink one glass of water per day.

The pressure that all three hunger strikers have been subjected to by Israeli authorities continues to escalate. Israel not only deprives all three to a fair trial but also continues to severely mistreat them in the forms of physical brutality and psychological torture, as exemplified by the bargain to give Ayman Sharawna pain medication for his back only if he ends his hunger strike.

Despite the severe health conditions of all three hunger strikers they continue to be denied family visits and regular access to independent physicians and independent medical care. For the first time in over a month, a Physicians for Human Rights-Israel doctor was able to visit the hunger strikers on 10 September. The doctor “determined that all the hunger strikers must be immediately transferred to a public hospital for comprehensive medical query of their severe conditions” and that “the advanced physical damage recorded […] raises grave concern for maltreatment and neglect by the IPS doctors.” Addameer is outraged by the continued Israeli policy of allowing visits of independent doctor’s only after court orders.

Israel is violating these courageous hunger strikers’ most basic rights on a daily basis, even as they come to the brink of death. Addameer fears for the lives of all three hunger strikers and believes that only urgent intervention will be enough to save their lives. Addameer therefore calls on all those concerned with justice in Palestine to come together in support of all three hunger strikers.

Ahmad Sa’adat moved to collective isolation in Hadarim prison

13 September 2012

Ahmad Sa’adat, imprisoned Palestinian national leader, was transferred from Shata prison to Hadarim prison, where he was placed in collective isolation in retaliation for his comments in court on Sunday, said former prisoner Allam Kaabi said on Tuesday, September 11. Kaabi was deported to Gaza in the October 2011 prisoner exchange.

Kaabi said that this movement came in retaliation for Sa’adat’s comments in court on Sunday, September 9 in Jerusalem, when he rejected as illegitimate the occupation courts and called for occupation officials to be put on trial for their crimes against the Palestinian people. Sa’adat is the General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

When Sa’adat was transferred to Hadarim, fellow imprisoned PFLP leader Ahed Abu Ghoulmeh who was held in Hadarim prison, was then transfered to Shata prison. The “collective isolation” in Hadarim prison is a small group of prisoners held together and separate from the larger Palestinian prisoner population. Sa’adat was in isolation for over three years, from March 2009 through May 2012, and was released from isolation as part of the agreement ending the April-May 2012 hunger strike.

Kaabi said that the Israeli Prison Services were determined that Sa’adat and Abu Ghoulmeh would not meet in the same prison. He said that “all of the Zionist practices against leaders like Sa’adat and Abu Ghoulmeh, and all prisonrs in Israeli jails, will fail because the will, determination and steadfastness of the prisoners is much greater than those of the jailer.”

Acción Urgente: ¡Actúen ahora para salvar las vidas de Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi y Ayman Sharawna!

11 September 2012

Thank you to Scott Campbell of Angry White Kid for this translation, also available at his blog:

[Original en inglés]

Samer al-Barq ya ha estado en huelga de hambre durante 111 días, además de los de 30 días que pasó anteriormente en la huelga de hambre masiva del abril-mayo 2012. Ahora es el preso que más tiempo ha pasado en huelga de hambre en cualquier parte del mundo, asumiendo este título de su compatriota, el preso Akram Rikhawi.

Está en huelga junto con Hassan Safadi, quien ha resistido durante 81 días, sumados a los 71 días de su previa huelga de hambre, y con Ayman Sharawna, quien ha estado rechazando comido durante 71días. Los tres están sufriendo complicaciones médicas muy graves, incluyendo problemas de riñón, de perdido de conocimiento, y de sistemas inmunes suprimidos, confirmado por Addameer, Médicos para Derechos Humanos – Israel y al-Haq. Actuén ahora para llamar a su libertad inmediata y salvar las vidas de Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi y AymanSharawna!

Tuitea Ahora: Act now for #PalHunger strikers #SamerAlBarq #HassanSafadi #AymanSharawna Lives on the Line for Palestine! Act: http://samidoun.net/?p=1456

Los tres hombres se están manifestando contra el incumplimiento israelí con el acuerdo del 14 de mayo (y acuerdos previos) entre el movimiento de los presos y el Servicio de Prisiones Israelí. Una de las provisiones de este acuerdo era que el castigo de detención administrativa no seria renovado. Sin embargo, el 21 de mayo – solo una semana después del acuerdo – la detención administrativa de al-Barq fue renovada y él empezó de nuevo su huelga de hambre. Safadi se unió a la huelga el 21 de junio, cuando su orden de detención administrativa fue renovada.

Por otro lado, dejaron en libertad a Ayman Sharawna en octubre de 2011 como parte del acuerdo de intercambio de los presos. Sin embargo, le detuvieron de nuevo en enero de 2012 y desde entonces él ha estado detenido sin cargo. Ayman inició su huelga de hambre el 1 de julio, seis meses después de su detención.

Acción urgente es necesario para proteger las vidas de estos presos palestinos. Han sido encarcelados juntos en una celda de aislamiento que mide 1.8 metros por 1.5 metros, sin espacio por una silla de ruedas, y actualmente están encadenados de manos y pies a sus camas de hospital, a pesar de que sus doctores informan de las graves amenazas médicas ocasionadas por estas condiciones. Es urgente que actuemos ahora para liberar a Samer, Hassan y Ayman y asegurar la atención medica que necesitan.

¡TOMA ACCION!

Firma una carta exigiendo que el estado israelí traslade inmediatamente a Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi y AymanSharawna a un hospital y que les dejan en libertad.Haz un click aquí para firmar.
Firma una carta a la Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja para exigir que se cumple con sus obligaciones a los presos palestinos y que se actúe para salvar las vidas de Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi y AymanSharawna. Haz un click aquí para firmar.

Families of Palestinian detainees call for urgent actions to support hunger strikers

11 September 2012

Press release from the Ministry of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs:

GAZA, PALESTINE, September 11 – The families of Palestinians detained by Israel called for a week of urgent actions to support a mass hunger strike on 13 September, as well as ongoing hunger strikes by individual detainees.

Thousands of detainees will participate in a mass one-day hunger strike on Thursday, 13 September, beginning a “Saving the Strike” campaign to demand that Israel fully implement the agreement that ended the “Dignity” hunger strike on 14 May, 2012.

“The agreement was to allow all prisoners from Gaza to receive visits from family members,” said Sadeya Saftawi, the wife of detainee Emad El Deen Saftawi. “But four months later, I still haven’t been able to see my husband.”

Israel also continues to hold detainees in isolation, despite agreeing to release them into its prisons’ general population, and to renew administrative detention orders in violation of the 14 May deal. Two administrative detainees with extended orders, Samer Al-Barq and Hassan Safadi, remain on their 113^th and 83^rd days of extended hunger strikes.

“We ask supporters around the world to undertake more activities to pressure Israel to stop its daily violations against our sons, brothers, and husbands, and to help them get back their rights that are violated daily by Israel,” said Mona Abu Salah, the mother of two detainees, Fahmi and Salah Abu Salah.

The families asked supporters to demonstrate outside Israeli embassies, consulates, and missions, international organizations, Israeli prison contractors like G4S, and in other public places from Thursday, 13 September through Wednesday, 19 September.

Palestinian prisoner Mohammad Rimawi transferred to hospital

11 September 2012

The Palestinian Information Centre reported on Tuesday September 11 that the occupation authorities transferred the prisoner Mohammad Rimawi to Hadassah hospital following deterioration in his health condition.

Wa’ed association for prisoners and ex-prisoners pointed in a press statement that the prisoner Mohammad Rimawi, who was held in Nafha prison, was transferred to Hadassah hospital after his health deteriorated.

Rimawi has been serving a life sentence on charge of participating in the assassination of Israeli minister Rehavam Zeevi.

The association added that he was taken to the hospital in a critical condition, as he was suffering serious shortness of breath and accused the occupation authorities of deliberately neglecting his treatment causing him serious deterioration in his health, as Wa’ed said.

It demanded the World Health Organization and the humanitarian and human rights organizations to intervene “to stop the criminal occupation practices against the patient prisoners and to put pressure on Israel to force it to provide the appropriate medical care for them.”

On August 31, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine “warned…that the occupation government is fully responsible for the life of Comrade Mohammad Rimawi, imprisoned in the Nafha occupation prison….The PFLP warned of consequences for concealing the worsening of his health as a result of medical negligence practiced against him and the inhumane conditions suffered in the prisons of the occupation. The Front called for a wider movement of solidarity on popular and official levels with the imprisoned leader, to save his life under threat at every moment.”

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