5 sept 2016
The PA Preventive Security Services arrested late Sunday a Palestinian student in al-Khalil.
The political detainee was identified as Ossema Halaiqa,22, who is still studying at al-Khalil University.
Family sources told PIC reporter that their son was earlier summoned for investigation Sunday morning before being transferred to the Preventive Security Services headquarters where he was detained.
PA security forces have escalated their political arrests and summons campaigns in occupied West Bank as the Palestinian municipal election approaches.
The political detainee was identified as Ossema Halaiqa,22, who is still studying at al-Khalil University.
Family sources told PIC reporter that their son was earlier summoned for investigation Sunday morning before being transferred to the Preventive Security Services headquarters where he was detained.
PA security forces have escalated their political arrests and summons campaigns in occupied West Bank as the Palestinian municipal election approaches.
4 sept 2016
The Hamas Movement denounced some Fatah leaders for questioning the legitimacy of the judicial system in Gaza, describing their remarks in this regards as attempts to find a way out of the big legal flaw found in their Movement's electoral lists.
"Such remarks prove that the Fatah Movement wants an election that it is sure to win or else it will work on ruining it," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Saturday.
"Those people have to pay attention to the fact that the [Palestinian] authority president have no legal legitimacy because his term of office already expired and that the government, itself, is illegal because it did not obtain the confidence of the legislative council," Abu Zuhri underlined.
Senior Fatah official recently described the courts in Gaza as illegal and voiced their refusal to deal with them despite there are understandings between the Palestinian factions to refer any electoral disputes in Gaza to them.
"Such remarks prove that the Fatah Movement wants an election that it is sure to win or else it will work on ruining it," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Saturday.
"Those people have to pay attention to the fact that the [Palestinian] authority president have no legal legitimacy because his term of office already expired and that the government, itself, is illegal because it did not obtain the confidence of the legislative council," Abu Zuhri underlined.
Senior Fatah official recently described the courts in Gaza as illegal and voiced their refusal to deal with them despite there are understandings between the Palestinian factions to refer any electoral disputes in Gaza to them.
27 aug 2016
Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces on Friday violently attacked Palestinian citizens during renewed clashes with local young men in Nablus city.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that PA security elements spread throughout al-Naser street in the Old City of Nablus and embarked on firing tear gas grenades at dozens of young men and kids, who responded by throwing stones.
They added that a 12-year-old boy lost his consciousness when security individuals brutally beat him during the events. The boy was arrested and taken to an undeclared place.
The events started in the afternoon hours and continued into the night, during which the PA security forces treated many citizens savagely and verbally abused them.
Daily skirmishes have been taking place for four days in Nablus after a detained citizen was beaten to death by PA security elements upon his arrival at Junaid prison last Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that PA security elements spread throughout al-Naser street in the Old City of Nablus and embarked on firing tear gas grenades at dozens of young men and kids, who responded by throwing stones.
They added that a 12-year-old boy lost his consciousness when security individuals brutally beat him during the events. The boy was arrested and taken to an undeclared place.
The events started in the afternoon hours and continued into the night, during which the PA security forces treated many citizens savagely and verbally abused them.
Daily skirmishes have been taking place for four days in Nablus after a detained citizen was beaten to death by PA security elements upon his arrival at Junaid prison last Tuesday.
23 aug 2016
The Palestinian Ahmad Ezz Halaweh was killed Tuesday morning in the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Junaid jail in Nablus shortly after being arrested.
Nablus governor Akram al-Rujoub said that Halaweh was responsible for the latest security incidents.
He was arrested in Nablus al-Jadidah district then was transferred to al-Junaid jail and when he was dropped off in the prison’s yard a group of PA security members started beating him severely until death, Rujoub added.
In a statement, the family of the killed prisoner Halaweh mourned their son whom they called an upstanding national leader and said that he was cold-bloodedly assassinated with full disregard to human rights.
A general strike prevailed in Nablus city after the murder of Halaweh amid a state of high tension and outrage among Palestinians in Nablus especially the Old City area where commercial shops were closed.
Nablus governor Akram al-Rujoub said that Halaweh was responsible for the latest security incidents.
He was arrested in Nablus al-Jadidah district then was transferred to al-Junaid jail and when he was dropped off in the prison’s yard a group of PA security members started beating him severely until death, Rujoub added.
In a statement, the family of the killed prisoner Halaweh mourned their son whom they called an upstanding national leader and said that he was cold-bloodedly assassinated with full disregard to human rights.
A general strike prevailed in Nablus city after the murder of Halaweh amid a state of high tension and outrage among Palestinians in Nablus especially the Old City area where commercial shops were closed.
9 aug 2016
Press Release by the Palestinian Centre For Human Rights (PCHR): The West Bank witnessed a number of security incidents in which force was excessively used and a number of civilians were arrested in Tulkarem and Jenin.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows up with concern these developments in the two cities and stresses the significance of fulfilling the legal and international standards in dealing with civilians in all circumstances and under any charges brought against them.
PCHR calls upon the Attorney General to follow up the file of the detainees and to comply with the legal procedures.
Moreover, PCHR highlights that security services’ duty is to ban the possession of firearms and maintain the security of civilians within the boundaries of the law with a strict commitment to the relevant international standards, especially the 1979 Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
At approximately 02:00, today, security services surrounded a house belonging to the family of Ra’ef Fat’hi Rashid Mansour (32) in the southern neighborhood of Kufor Qaleel village, southeast of Nablus, in order to arrest him.
A number of the neighborhood residents immediately gathered and threw stones at the police officers who opened fire in response. As a result, a number of civilians were wounded, including a child.
On 04 August 2016, the security officers suppressed a protest in front of the Electricity Company in al-Yamoun village that was organized against the power outages in the village. The Company contacted the police after some young men threw stones at the Company.
As a result, a large force of security services arrived and started beating all who were present in the street with clubs. The security services arrested 5 civilians on grounds of the incident.
On 01 August 2016, the security services launched arrest campaign against 10 members of Fateh movement in Tulkarem under the pretext they spat curses at the Palestinian Prime Minister and Ministry of Local Government on Facebook because of the repeated power outages in the city.
Following the arrests, some members of Fateh movement went out to the streets, set fire to tires and opened fire in the air, due to which other civilians were arrested too.
A state of tension has prevailed in the city because of the arrests against Fateh members in spite of attempts to contain the situation and the Palestinian President’s personal intervention.
In the same context, on 05 August 2016, security officers pepper-sprayed the face of Ibrahim Khreisha, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), after which he was transported to Tulkarem Hospital.
The incident occurred while security officers were attempting to arrest Mohammed Araj, a Fateh member.
Meanwhile, some civilians, including Khreisha who was around, intervened to stop the arrest. Khreisha explained that he was attacked after he said to the security officers, “If you want to arrest him, we have no problem, but why you are beating him?” Khreisha added that Araj was beaten while being arrested.
PCHR stresses that security services’ duty is to keep the security and safety of civilians and companies and highlights the significance of eliminating the state of possessing and using firearms during protests.
Therefore, PCHR underscores the importance of the security services’ commitment to the principles of proportionality and lawfulness when using force. In addition, PCHR condemns the excessive and random use of force, and:
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows up with concern these developments in the two cities and stresses the significance of fulfilling the legal and international standards in dealing with civilians in all circumstances and under any charges brought against them.
PCHR calls upon the Attorney General to follow up the file of the detainees and to comply with the legal procedures.
Moreover, PCHR highlights that security services’ duty is to ban the possession of firearms and maintain the security of civilians within the boundaries of the law with a strict commitment to the relevant international standards, especially the 1979 Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
At approximately 02:00, today, security services surrounded a house belonging to the family of Ra’ef Fat’hi Rashid Mansour (32) in the southern neighborhood of Kufor Qaleel village, southeast of Nablus, in order to arrest him.
A number of the neighborhood residents immediately gathered and threw stones at the police officers who opened fire in response. As a result, a number of civilians were wounded, including a child.
On 04 August 2016, the security officers suppressed a protest in front of the Electricity Company in al-Yamoun village that was organized against the power outages in the village. The Company contacted the police after some young men threw stones at the Company.
As a result, a large force of security services arrived and started beating all who were present in the street with clubs. The security services arrested 5 civilians on grounds of the incident.
On 01 August 2016, the security services launched arrest campaign against 10 members of Fateh movement in Tulkarem under the pretext they spat curses at the Palestinian Prime Minister and Ministry of Local Government on Facebook because of the repeated power outages in the city.
Following the arrests, some members of Fateh movement went out to the streets, set fire to tires and opened fire in the air, due to which other civilians were arrested too.
A state of tension has prevailed in the city because of the arrests against Fateh members in spite of attempts to contain the situation and the Palestinian President’s personal intervention.
In the same context, on 05 August 2016, security officers pepper-sprayed the face of Ibrahim Khreisha, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), after which he was transported to Tulkarem Hospital.
The incident occurred while security officers were attempting to arrest Mohammed Araj, a Fateh member.
Meanwhile, some civilians, including Khreisha who was around, intervened to stop the arrest. Khreisha explained that he was attacked after he said to the security officers, “If you want to arrest him, we have no problem, but why you are beating him?” Khreisha added that Araj was beaten while being arrested.
PCHR stresses that security services’ duty is to keep the security and safety of civilians and companies and highlights the significance of eliminating the state of possessing and using firearms during protests.
Therefore, PCHR underscores the importance of the security services’ commitment to the principles of proportionality and lawfulness when using force. In addition, PCHR condemns the excessive and random use of force, and:
- Calls upon the Attorney General to investigate the incidents in Tulkarem and Jenin, to stop the breaches committed by security services and to prosecute those who are responsible for them; and
- Calls upon the Prime Minister, who holds the position of Minister of Interior as well, to fulfill his duties to guarantee security services commitment to the law and dignity of civilians and to apply the law within the international standards relevant to the use of force.
8 aug 2016
A rally was staged at the Duheisheh refugee camp, in Bethlehem, in protest at the abduction of five activists by the Palestinian Authority (PA) forces.
A leader from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the move comes in response to the PA’s detention of five PFLP activists.
The PA forces arrested five activists affiliated with the PFLP in Jericho while they were bidding farewell to their friends, who were about to travel via the Karama border-crossing.
The five PFLP captives were heavily beaten by the PA forces shortly before the detention. The PFLP leader added that contacts have been underway with stakeholders and the PA’s Jericho police, along with the governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Majed al-Fityani, to release the detainees.
The Jericho governor had reportedly reneged on his promises to release the detainees on Sunday.
A leader from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the move comes in response to the PA’s detention of five PFLP activists.
The PA forces arrested five activists affiliated with the PFLP in Jericho while they were bidding farewell to their friends, who were about to travel via the Karama border-crossing.
The five PFLP captives were heavily beaten by the PA forces shortly before the detention. The PFLP leader added that contacts have been underway with stakeholders and the PA’s Jericho police, along with the governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Majed al-Fityani, to release the detainees.
The Jericho governor had reportedly reneged on his promises to release the detainees on Sunday.
8 july 2016
The Mayor of Jenin Ibrahim Ramadan announced, in his meeting with representatives on the security apparatuses and institutions in the governorate on Wednesday, the expansion of the security campaign in Jenin following President Mahmoud Abbas’s orders.
The campaign aimed at targeting the lawbreakers and those who try to wreak chaos after Eid al-Fitr, according to the Mayor.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC’s reporter that the campaign followed summoning large-scale security reinforcement from Jericho and Ramallah to Jenin including Unit 101 which is known for storming refugee camps.
Jenin has recently been witnessing an unusual large-scale security deployment of the PA’s security forces in light of a status of tension prevailing since the latest incidents in the governorate, the sources added.
The campaign aimed at targeting the lawbreakers and those who try to wreak chaos after Eid al-Fitr, according to the Mayor.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC’s reporter that the campaign followed summoning large-scale security reinforcement from Jericho and Ramallah to Jenin including Unit 101 which is known for storming refugee camps.
Jenin has recently been witnessing an unusual large-scale security deployment of the PA’s security forces in light of a status of tension prevailing since the latest incidents in the governorate, the sources added.
18 june 2016
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, renewed the demand of releasing journalist Tarik Abu Zaid who is held captive by the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) security forces in Nablus in light of the worsening of his health condition.
The Hamas leader in Tubas, Faze' Sawafta, said in a press statement that the continuation of detaining Abu Zaid for 33 days in a row at illegal pretexts violates the law and rights of journalists especially freedom of speech.
“It is an attempt to mute all free voices that disagree with the PA’s official point of view", he said.
Sawafta called on human rights institutions to expose the PA’s violations and intervene to release journalist Abu Zaid. "The continuation of such punitive measures against journalists flames tension among Palestinians", he warned.
The Hamas leader in Tubas, Faze' Sawafta, said in a press statement that the continuation of detaining Abu Zaid for 33 days in a row at illegal pretexts violates the law and rights of journalists especially freedom of speech.
“It is an attempt to mute all free voices that disagree with the PA’s official point of view", he said.
Sawafta called on human rights institutions to expose the PA’s violations and intervene to release journalist Abu Zaid. "The continuation of such punitive measures against journalists flames tension among Palestinians", he warned.
17 june 2016
Violent clashes broke out overnight and at dawn Friday in Jenin refugee camp when PA security forces stormed the camp and started firing intensively before arresting the leader in Jihad Movement Sheikh Mahmoud al-Saadi.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that tension spread among locals when PA forces arrested Sheikh al-Saadi as he was participating in a reception ceremony for the newly released prisoner Yahya al-Saadi, son of the leader in Jihad Movement Sheikh Bassam al-Saadi.
Several suffocation cases were reported among citizens after the PA forces fired tear gas bombs.
Following al-Saadi’s arrest, armed clashes broke out in the refugee camp and lasted till dawn today. PA forces withdrew at dawn from the camp after closing its entrances, preventing the residents from returning to their homes.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that tension spread among locals when PA forces arrested Sheikh al-Saadi as he was participating in a reception ceremony for the newly released prisoner Yahya al-Saadi, son of the leader in Jihad Movement Sheikh Bassam al-Saadi.
Several suffocation cases were reported among citizens after the PA forces fired tear gas bombs.
Following al-Saadi’s arrest, armed clashes broke out in the refugee camp and lasted till dawn today. PA forces withdrew at dawn from the camp after closing its entrances, preventing the residents from returning to their homes.
Palestinian Authority’s court in Nablus extended on Thursday the detention order against journalist Tarik Abu Zaid to 15 days and refused to release him on bail for the eighth consecutive time for continuation of investigation procedures.
The father of Abu Zaid told the PIC reporter that the court extended the order against his son even though the prosecution did not present any evidence against him.
The father opined that the trial was meant to increase the suffering of the family. He pointed out that his son was brought to court while chained with weary face and surrounded by a large number of security men.
Journalist Abu Zaid works as a correspondent for Al-Aqsa TV channel. He was arrested right from his home on May 16 for publishing news affecting “the prestige of the state”.
The father of Abu Zaid told the PIC reporter that the court extended the order against his son even though the prosecution did not present any evidence against him.
The father opined that the trial was meant to increase the suffering of the family. He pointed out that his son was brought to court while chained with weary face and surrounded by a large number of security men.
Journalist Abu Zaid works as a correspondent for Al-Aqsa TV channel. He was arrested right from his home on May 16 for publishing news affecting “the prestige of the state”.
2 june 2016
The Palestinian Authority (PA) apparatuses on Wednesday kidnapped two journalists from the occupied West Bank provinces of Ramallah and Tubas.
The PA General Intelligence officers in Tubas arrested the Palestinian journalist Zayd Abu Ara, 29, after summoning him for interrogation.
Zayd’s father, Mustafa, said the PA intelligence arrested his son shortly after they spoke up to him by phone and summoned him for questioning.
The family said efforts have been underway since the early morning hours to reach Zayd’s location.
Zayd, a professional journalist, had been arrested by the PA on various past occasions on account of his work with the Quds Press International news agency.
The PA General Intelligence forces further arrested the 24-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Ameer Abu Areim, working for the al-Aqsa TV Channel in Ramallah, Ameer’s wife Juman Abu Arafa said on Facebook.
Eyewitnesses said the PA officers stopped a vehicle driven by Ameer in Birzeit and forced him out at gunpoint. Journalist Tareq Abu Zayd has, meanwhile, been kept in the PA penitentiaries in Nablus for the 16th day running.
Journalist Layla Hamarsha said Abu Zayd will be brought before court on Thursday after the judge turned down five appeals to release him on a bail.
The PA General Intelligence officers in Tubas arrested the Palestinian journalist Zayd Abu Ara, 29, after summoning him for interrogation.
Zayd’s father, Mustafa, said the PA intelligence arrested his son shortly after they spoke up to him by phone and summoned him for questioning.
The family said efforts have been underway since the early morning hours to reach Zayd’s location.
Zayd, a professional journalist, had been arrested by the PA on various past occasions on account of his work with the Quds Press International news agency.
The PA General Intelligence forces further arrested the 24-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Ameer Abu Areim, working for the al-Aqsa TV Channel in Ramallah, Ameer’s wife Juman Abu Arafa said on Facebook.
Eyewitnesses said the PA officers stopped a vehicle driven by Ameer in Birzeit and forced him out at gunpoint. Journalist Tareq Abu Zayd has, meanwhile, been kept in the PA penitentiaries in Nablus for the 16th day running.
Journalist Layla Hamarsha said Abu Zayd will be brought before court on Thursday after the judge turned down five appeals to release him on a bail.