31 dec 2012
Family of political detainee Khader Lafi protest in al-Khalil
The family of the liberated prisoner Khader Lafi, who is detained in PA prisons by the Preventive Security Service, has staged a sit in on Sunday in al-Khalil, demanding his release.
The sit-in was joined by a number of citizens and lawmakers in solidarity with the family.
The political detainee's daughter has called, in statements to media, for the release of her father who suffers from several ailments and his health has deteriorated further due to his hunger strike which he has declared last Wednesday.
Esra confirmed that her father was released recently from the Israeli occupation prisons, stressing on his right to live with his family and his children who were deprived from him.
Lafi said that her father has declared his hunger strike in al-Khalil court where his detention was extended for nine days under the pretext of completing his interrogation.
Lafi called on all human rights and humanitarian organizations to intervene for the release of her father, who was arrested earlier in by PA forces for his activities in the Zakat Committee.
The Preventive Security Service arrested, during the past two days, four supporters of Hamas movement in al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, the liberated prisoner Talib Abu Sneineh, from the city of al-Khalil, who was prosecuted two days ago by the PA Preventive Security Service, declared that he will begin an open hunger strike, in case he was arrested by PA forces
Abu Sneineh said in a message posted on Facebook that despite the liberated prisoner's pains in Israeli jails, the PA security services work to reinforce his family's suffering.
He announced that he would not surrender himself to the security services under any circumstances, adding that he was arrested by the occupation several times where he spent 13 years in Israeli jails.
He pointed out that the PA security services are completing the occupation's role by campaigns of detention and interrogation in light of the reconciliation atmosphere.
The prisoners in all countries of the world, regardless of their religion or affiliation or nationalities, were honored after being released from enemy's prisons, but in Palestine we are rearrested in PA jails, he said.
He concluded by saying that the true reconciliation will be only achieved through stopping the arrests and security coordination, which only serves the occupation.
The sit-in was joined by a number of citizens and lawmakers in solidarity with the family.
The political detainee's daughter has called, in statements to media, for the release of her father who suffers from several ailments and his health has deteriorated further due to his hunger strike which he has declared last Wednesday.
Esra confirmed that her father was released recently from the Israeli occupation prisons, stressing on his right to live with his family and his children who were deprived from him.
Lafi said that her father has declared his hunger strike in al-Khalil court where his detention was extended for nine days under the pretext of completing his interrogation.
Lafi called on all human rights and humanitarian organizations to intervene for the release of her father, who was arrested earlier in by PA forces for his activities in the Zakat Committee.
The Preventive Security Service arrested, during the past two days, four supporters of Hamas movement in al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, the liberated prisoner Talib Abu Sneineh, from the city of al-Khalil, who was prosecuted two days ago by the PA Preventive Security Service, declared that he will begin an open hunger strike, in case he was arrested by PA forces
Abu Sneineh said in a message posted on Facebook that despite the liberated prisoner's pains in Israeli jails, the PA security services work to reinforce his family's suffering.
He announced that he would not surrender himself to the security services under any circumstances, adding that he was arrested by the occupation several times where he spent 13 years in Israeli jails.
He pointed out that the PA security services are completing the occupation's role by campaigns of detention and interrogation in light of the reconciliation atmosphere.
The prisoners in all countries of the world, regardless of their religion or affiliation or nationalities, were honored after being released from enemy's prisons, but in Palestine we are rearrested in PA jails, he said.
He concluded by saying that the true reconciliation will be only achieved through stopping the arrests and security coordination, which only serves the occupation.
27 dec 2012
PA preventive security kidnaps Hamas activist
Palestinian Authority’s preventive security apparatus kidnapped Khader Lafi, a Hamas leader, from his hometown Sourif village, north west of Al-Khalil.
Relatives said that preventive security agents stormed the house of Lafi, 54, and searched it before taking him to a prison in Al-Khalil city on Wednesday night.
Lafi was released from Israeli occupation jails on 11/11/2012, the relatives said, adding that he served almost six years in Israeli captivity on separate detention periods in between 2005 and 2012.
PA security apparatuses summoned and arrested Lafi, who suffers various diseases, several times and put him on trial for working at Zakat (Alms) committee in his village.
Relatives said that preventive security agents stormed the house of Lafi, 54, and searched it before taking him to a prison in Al-Khalil city on Wednesday night.
Lafi was released from Israeli occupation jails on 11/11/2012, the relatives said, adding that he served almost six years in Israeli captivity on separate detention periods in between 2005 and 2012.
PA security apparatuses summoned and arrested Lafi, who suffers various diseases, several times and put him on trial for working at Zakat (Alms) committee in his village.
26 dec 2012
PA security breaks teachers sit-in by force for second time
Palestinian Authority police forces broke up a sit-in staged by teachers in Ramallah city by force for the second time on Tuesday night.
Spokesman for the teachers banned from teaching in the West Bank Awad Awad said that the policemen confiscated the teachers’ belongings in the hope of frustrating a repeat to their sit-in.
He said that the policemen broke up the teachers into groups and took them in police vans to different areas within and outside Ramallah.
Awad said, however, that the teachers are adamant on returning to the premises of the council of ministers and stage another sit-in until their rights are restored and the agreement signed between the teachers and the syndicate is implemented in full.
Meanwhile, the union of Palestinian professional syndicates denounced the PA use of force to quell the teachers in a statement on Wednesday.
It called for sacking the minister of education for not living up to her promises and for not abiding by the courts’ verdicts in this regard.
The union refused all pretexts voiced by the Fayyad government over the issue of dismissed teachers and declared full solidarity with them.
The union renewed its refusal of Fayyad government’s dealing with teachers based on their political affiliation, and urged human rights groups to champion their cause and to denounce the use of force against those teachers on the part of the PA police.
Spokesman for the teachers banned from teaching in the West Bank Awad Awad said that the policemen confiscated the teachers’ belongings in the hope of frustrating a repeat to their sit-in.
He said that the policemen broke up the teachers into groups and took them in police vans to different areas within and outside Ramallah.
Awad said, however, that the teachers are adamant on returning to the premises of the council of ministers and stage another sit-in until their rights are restored and the agreement signed between the teachers and the syndicate is implemented in full.
Meanwhile, the union of Palestinian professional syndicates denounced the PA use of force to quell the teachers in a statement on Wednesday.
It called for sacking the minister of education for not living up to her promises and for not abiding by the courts’ verdicts in this regard.
The union refused all pretexts voiced by the Fayyad government over the issue of dismissed teachers and declared full solidarity with them.
The union renewed its refusal of Fayyad government’s dealing with teachers based on their political affiliation, and urged human rights groups to champion their cause and to denounce the use of force against those teachers on the part of the PA police.
25 dec 2012
PA security arrests al-Husari again, summons two others
PA security apparatus arrested on Monday the liberated prisoners in Tulkarm, and summoned a school student from the city, and a young man from al-Khalil, and continued to detain imam of Bethlehem, while the PA courts postponed the release of a prisoner leader from Tulkarem, and extended the period of detention of four political prisoners from Nablus.
In Tulkarem, the preventive security services (PSS) rearrested yesterday the leader in the resistance movement Hamas, liberated prisoner Adnan al-Husari "Abu Bakr" after being summoned to the court, his detention was extended immediately for 15 days pending investigation.
Al-Husari has been released from the PA prisons few days ago, after repeated detention for more than three times during December. He was arrested many times previously by various PA security apparatuses, where he spent full year in PA jails during which he was subjected to severe torture, as he spent several years in Israeli jails.
Also in Tulkarem, Magistrate's Court postponed on Monday looking into the request for the release of the political prisoner and Hamas leader Fadi Amory for tomorrow, for the second time in a row.
Amory is a liberated prisoner who spent nearly five years in the Israeli prisons, and he was arrested and subjected to torture several times in PA prisons.
The General Intelligence Service in Tulkarem summoned the school student Ayman Hisham Bedier, 17, for interrogation.
In al-Khalil south of the occupied West Bank, the PA intelligence services summoned Bahaa Eddin Yousef Arar from Surif for interrogation at its headquarters.
In Bethlehem, intelligence services continued to detain Sheikh Yusuf al-Laham the imam of Dheisheh mosque for the sixth day in a row.
In Nablus, PA intelligence service continued to detain a student at al-Najah National University, Amir al-Tanbur, accusing him for taking part in the activities of Hamas in Nablus, in spite of the expected atmosphere of reconciliation.
The Magistrate's Court in Nablus has extended his arrest with three other young men from the city for the same charge for 15 days pending investigation.
In Tulkarem, the preventive security services (PSS) rearrested yesterday the leader in the resistance movement Hamas, liberated prisoner Adnan al-Husari "Abu Bakr" after being summoned to the court, his detention was extended immediately for 15 days pending investigation.
Al-Husari has been released from the PA prisons few days ago, after repeated detention for more than three times during December. He was arrested many times previously by various PA security apparatuses, where he spent full year in PA jails during which he was subjected to severe torture, as he spent several years in Israeli jails.
Also in Tulkarem, Magistrate's Court postponed on Monday looking into the request for the release of the political prisoner and Hamas leader Fadi Amory for tomorrow, for the second time in a row.
Amory is a liberated prisoner who spent nearly five years in the Israeli prisons, and he was arrested and subjected to torture several times in PA prisons.
The General Intelligence Service in Tulkarem summoned the school student Ayman Hisham Bedier, 17, for interrogation.
In al-Khalil south of the occupied West Bank, the PA intelligence services summoned Bahaa Eddin Yousef Arar from Surif for interrogation at its headquarters.
In Bethlehem, intelligence services continued to detain Sheikh Yusuf al-Laham the imam of Dheisheh mosque for the sixth day in a row.
In Nablus, PA intelligence service continued to detain a student at al-Najah National University, Amir al-Tanbur, accusing him for taking part in the activities of Hamas in Nablus, in spite of the expected atmosphere of reconciliation.
The Magistrate's Court in Nablus has extended his arrest with three other young men from the city for the same charge for 15 days pending investigation.
PA security forces quell and arrest teachers rallying outside Fayyad's office
The Palestinian authority security forces on Monday evening violently dispersed a group of 63 teachers protesting against the government of Salam Fayyad in Ramallah city.
The teachers were rallying outside the office of de facto head of the government Salam Fayyad when a force of more than one hundred soldiers attacked them and arrested many of them.
One of the teachers reported many of his colleagues were taken away by police cars to villages outside Ramallah city.
He said that they were protesting against the government for not fulfilling its pledge to give them back their teaching jobs they had been fired from and to officially approve them as teachers in West Bank schools.
He also noted that the PA soldiers brutally attacked them and confiscated their personal belonging they were holding during the protest.
The protesting teachers had suspended their sit-in and 10-day hunger strike outside the headquarters of the PA education ministry in Ramallah city last week after they received verbal pledged by Salam Fayyad and his education minister Lamis Al-Alami that they would get their jobs back and be officially appointed as teachers because there were vacancies.
However, when the teachers went later to the prime ministry headquarters to follow up their issue, they found out that Fayyad and Lamis disengaged themselves from the pledges they had made
Afterwards, the teachers decided to resume their protest yesterday morning outside Fayyad's office at the invitation of the union of teachers.
The teachers were rallying outside the office of de facto head of the government Salam Fayyad when a force of more than one hundred soldiers attacked them and arrested many of them.
One of the teachers reported many of his colleagues were taken away by police cars to villages outside Ramallah city.
He said that they were protesting against the government for not fulfilling its pledge to give them back their teaching jobs they had been fired from and to officially approve them as teachers in West Bank schools.
He also noted that the PA soldiers brutally attacked them and confiscated their personal belonging they were holding during the protest.
The protesting teachers had suspended their sit-in and 10-day hunger strike outside the headquarters of the PA education ministry in Ramallah city last week after they received verbal pledged by Salam Fayyad and his education minister Lamis Al-Alami that they would get their jobs back and be officially appointed as teachers because there were vacancies.
However, when the teachers went later to the prime ministry headquarters to follow up their issue, they found out that Fayyad and Lamis disengaged themselves from the pledges they had made
Afterwards, the teachers decided to resume their protest yesterday morning outside Fayyad's office at the invitation of the union of teachers.
22 dec 2012
PA arrests one of Hamas supporters and summons 5 others
The PA's security apparatuses in the West Bank arrested one of Hamas supporters, and summoned five others for investigation.
The General Intelligence Service arrested in Bethlehem a liberated prisoner four days ago and extended the detention of another for two additional weeks.
The Preventive Security apparatus also summoned two students at the Faculty of Al-Daawa Al-Islamiya in Qalqilya, and the journalist Ahmed Khassib, the al-Aqsa TV cameraman, in Ramallah, to its headquarters on Sunday, for the second time after his release on Thursday afternoon.
The Aqsa TV cameraman had been arrested by the Authority's Preventive service after storming his house in the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah. He was released after the intervention of the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, the Preventive Security in Tulkarem continued to hold two activists and insisted on summoning two others despite being recently released from its jails.
The General Intelligence Service arrested in Bethlehem a liberated prisoner four days ago and extended the detention of another for two additional weeks.
The Preventive Security apparatus also summoned two students at the Faculty of Al-Daawa Al-Islamiya in Qalqilya, and the journalist Ahmed Khassib, the al-Aqsa TV cameraman, in Ramallah, to its headquarters on Sunday, for the second time after his release on Thursday afternoon.
The Aqsa TV cameraman had been arrested by the Authority's Preventive service after storming his house in the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah. He was released after the intervention of the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, the Preventive Security in Tulkarem continued to hold two activists and insisted on summoning two others despite being recently released from its jails.
19 dec 2012
PA security arrest leader and journalist and summon liberated prisoner
The authority security apparatuses arrested a Hamas leader in Tulkarem and a journalist in Ramallah, and summoned a liberated captive from al-Khalil for questioning and interrogation.
The preventive security apparatus re-arrested in Tulkarem the leader Sheikh Adnan al-Housari less than 12 hours after his release from its prisons, sources from the city said.
It also summoned in al-Khalil the liberated captive and former political prisoner Raed Sharbati for interrogation.
The Preventive Security Service arrested the journalist and Al-Aqsa TV cameraman Ahmed al-Khasib, 25, after storming his house in Beitunia in the Ramallah governorate, on Tuesday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses told PIC's reporter that a force of the Preventive Security raided the house of al-Khatib, and searched it, then confiscated a set of tapes, before transferring Ahmed to an unknown destination.
Ahmed was arrested by the PA security apparatuses several times, and he had also served eight months in the occupation jails.
Al Aqsa TV condemned the arrest of one of its cadres by the PA security apparatus, and demanded to immediately release him, as such arrests disturb the atmosphere of reconciliation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces arrested yesterday morning two ex-political prisoners liberated from the PA's apparatuses in the city of al-Khalil.
The preventive security apparatus re-arrested in Tulkarem the leader Sheikh Adnan al-Housari less than 12 hours after his release from its prisons, sources from the city said.
It also summoned in al-Khalil the liberated captive and former political prisoner Raed Sharbati for interrogation.
The Preventive Security Service arrested the journalist and Al-Aqsa TV cameraman Ahmed al-Khasib, 25, after storming his house in Beitunia in the Ramallah governorate, on Tuesday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses told PIC's reporter that a force of the Preventive Security raided the house of al-Khatib, and searched it, then confiscated a set of tapes, before transferring Ahmed to an unknown destination.
Ahmed was arrested by the PA security apparatuses several times, and he had also served eight months in the occupation jails.
Al Aqsa TV condemned the arrest of one of its cadres by the PA security apparatus, and demanded to immediately release him, as such arrests disturb the atmosphere of reconciliation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces arrested yesterday morning two ex-political prisoners liberated from the PA's apparatuses in the city of al-Khalil.
18 dec 2012
PA threatens Hamas official to stop preaching or face arrest
The Palestinian authority ministry of religious affairs in Ramallah city summoned senior Hamas official Jamal Tawil and told him he was banned from giving religious lectures and lessons at the mosques of Ramallah and Al-Bireh cities.
His family reported that the ministry told Tawil that the PA intelligence agency had issued an arrest warrant against him and it would be effective if he refused the orders.
According to his family, Tawil does not care about such threats which he described as inconsistent with the reconciliation climate in the Palestinian arena, and are more determined to continue preaching and lecturing.
Jamal Tawil had given a speech on behalf of Hamas Movement in its 25 anniversary festival that was held a few days ago at Al-Manara rotary in Ramallah city. Thousands of Palestinians including Fatah officials attended the event.
For his part, member of Hamas's political bureau Ra'fat Nasif strongly denounced the PA ministry of religious affairs for threatening to arrest a senior Hamas figure like Jamal Tawil.
Nasif warned that the arrest of Hamas dignitaries would get things back to the starting point and obstruct all efforts being made to achieve the reconciliation
In a separate incident, the PA preventive security apparatus in Nablus city detained on Monday evening ex-detainee from Hamas Rami Suleiman after he had been released one month ago from an Israeli jail.
His family said that a PA preventive security officer in Al-Juneid prison summoned Suleiman and told him he was under arrest.
Hamas lawmakers in Salfit city slammed the PA security apparatuses for detaining Suleiman and considered such a step obstruction to the reconciliation efforts.
His family reported that the ministry told Tawil that the PA intelligence agency had issued an arrest warrant against him and it would be effective if he refused the orders.
According to his family, Tawil does not care about such threats which he described as inconsistent with the reconciliation climate in the Palestinian arena, and are more determined to continue preaching and lecturing.
Jamal Tawil had given a speech on behalf of Hamas Movement in its 25 anniversary festival that was held a few days ago at Al-Manara rotary in Ramallah city. Thousands of Palestinians including Fatah officials attended the event.
For his part, member of Hamas's political bureau Ra'fat Nasif strongly denounced the PA ministry of religious affairs for threatening to arrest a senior Hamas figure like Jamal Tawil.
Nasif warned that the arrest of Hamas dignitaries would get things back to the starting point and obstruct all efforts being made to achieve the reconciliation
In a separate incident, the PA preventive security apparatus in Nablus city detained on Monday evening ex-detainee from Hamas Rami Suleiman after he had been released one month ago from an Israeli jail.
His family said that a PA preventive security officer in Al-Juneid prison summoned Suleiman and told him he was under arrest.
Hamas lawmakers in Salfit city slammed the PA security apparatuses for detaining Suleiman and considered such a step obstruction to the reconciliation efforts.
16 dec 2012
Arrests against Hamas supporters continue in the West Bank
The PA security services arrested a liberated captive and summoned 3 Hamas supporters, while the occupation arrested a former political prisoner.
The Preventive Security Service arrested the liberated captive Bilal Mohammed Awad from the town of Awarta in Nablus, less than a week after his release from the occupation jails, where he had served 22 months. He is a former political prisoner and a student at An-Najah National University.
The General Intelligence Service summoned on Sunday afternoon two ex-captives and Hamas supporters from Nablus, while the preventive apparatus summoned in Salfit another liberated prisoner, who announced his refusal to obey.
The intelligence service continues to detain 4 young men from Nablus, who have been arrested last Thursday on charges of writing slogans about the anniversary of Hamas movement's inception.
It has also continued to detain a liberated prisoner and student at An-Najah University, from the town of Immatin west of Qalqilya since last Wednesday.
The journalist Mohamed Shoukri Awad from Budrus village, arrested since December 6, 2012, is also still being held in the intelligence's jails. He works for the Ramsat agency, and had previously served more than a year in PA prisons.
The Authority apparatuses in Tulkarem are still detaining the two Hamas leaders Adnan al-Housari and Fadi Amouri, despite the repeated calls for their release.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces arrested in al-Khalil a former political prisoner in PA jails.
The Preventive Security Service arrested the liberated captive Bilal Mohammed Awad from the town of Awarta in Nablus, less than a week after his release from the occupation jails, where he had served 22 months. He is a former political prisoner and a student at An-Najah National University.
The General Intelligence Service summoned on Sunday afternoon two ex-captives and Hamas supporters from Nablus, while the preventive apparatus summoned in Salfit another liberated prisoner, who announced his refusal to obey.
The intelligence service continues to detain 4 young men from Nablus, who have been arrested last Thursday on charges of writing slogans about the anniversary of Hamas movement's inception.
It has also continued to detain a liberated prisoner and student at An-Najah University, from the town of Immatin west of Qalqilya since last Wednesday.
The journalist Mohamed Shoukri Awad from Budrus village, arrested since December 6, 2012, is also still being held in the intelligence's jails. He works for the Ramsat agency, and had previously served more than a year in PA prisons.
The Authority apparatuses in Tulkarem are still detaining the two Hamas leaders Adnan al-Housari and Fadi Amouri, despite the repeated calls for their release.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces arrested in al-Khalil a former political prisoner in PA jails.
10 dec 2012
PA security services arrest liberated prisoners
PA security services continued their arrests and summons against Hamas supporters and cadres in the various governorates of the West Bank, where they arrested two liberated prisoners in Ramallah and Tulkarm, and summoned others in al-Khalil, in addition to sentencing a university student in Nablus.
In Ramallah, the Preventive Security Service arrested the liberated prisoner Bahaa Awad from his home in the village of Budrus. He was detained previously in PA prisons several times.
In Tulkarem, PA services arrested the liberated prisoner Fadi Amory after besieging his home, he is a former detainee in PA prisons.
In a related context, the Magistrate's Court in Nablus sentenced Timor Bustami, a student at al-Najah University, to three months on charges of "inciting sectarian strife". He is a former detainee in PA prisons where he was subjected to torture.
In al-Khalil, the General Intelligence Service summoned on Sunday the liberated prisoners Nafedh Shawamreh and Amjad Qazzaz for interrogation, and they were both arrested previously for long periods by the PA security in the city.
In Ramallah, the Preventive Security Service arrested the liberated prisoner Bahaa Awad from his home in the village of Budrus. He was detained previously in PA prisons several times.
In Tulkarem, PA services arrested the liberated prisoner Fadi Amory after besieging his home, he is a former detainee in PA prisons.
In a related context, the Magistrate's Court in Nablus sentenced Timor Bustami, a student at al-Najah University, to three months on charges of "inciting sectarian strife". He is a former detainee in PA prisons where he was subjected to torture.
In al-Khalil, the General Intelligence Service summoned on Sunday the liberated prisoners Nafedh Shawamreh and Amjad Qazzaz for interrogation, and they were both arrested previously for long periods by the PA security in the city.
9 dec 2012
PA intelligence arrests journalist
PA intelligence apparatus arrested Mohammed Awad who works as a reporter with the Ramsat news agency in Ramallah and summoned a young man in Tulkarem.
Local sources in Ramallah said that PA intelligence agents detained Awad, a journalism graduate from Badars village. They recalled that he was previously arrested by the PA security apparatuses and subjected to severe torture.
Another Palestinian youth, Tamer Al-Haj, was summoned by the PA intelligence in Tulkarem for questioning on Saturday.
PA security apparatuses in the West Bank are still holding 35 Palestinian activists behind bars some of them spent years in detention.
Local sources in Ramallah said that PA intelligence agents detained Awad, a journalism graduate from Badars village. They recalled that he was previously arrested by the PA security apparatuses and subjected to severe torture.
Another Palestinian youth, Tamer Al-Haj, was summoned by the PA intelligence in Tulkarem for questioning on Saturday.
PA security apparatuses in the West Bank are still holding 35 Palestinian activists behind bars some of them spent years in detention.
PA intelligence summons two liberated prisoners
PA intelligence services summoned two liberated prisoners from the town of Dura in al- Khalil on Sunday morning for interrogation, the liberated prisoners' families stated.
The family of the liberated prisoner, Nafez Shawamreh, stated that he received a summons from the PA intelligence, however Shawamreh refused to attend where the intelligence's official threatened him to come to his house and to arrest him in the case he would not attend.
Shawamreh is a liberated prisoner from Israeli jails where he spent several years, and he is a former prisoner of the PA Intelligence and Preventive on several occasions.
PA intelligence has also summoned the liberated prisoner Amjad Qazzaz on Sunday morning, the prisoner's family stated, noting that the liberated prisoner Qazzaz was arrested several times by the occupation and was sentenced to one year and he was also arrested by PA security several times.
The liberated prisoner's family condemned this summons, saying that the PA arrests and summonses do not serve the national reconciliation talks.
The family of the liberated prisoner, Nafez Shawamreh, stated that he received a summons from the PA intelligence, however Shawamreh refused to attend where the intelligence's official threatened him to come to his house and to arrest him in the case he would not attend.
Shawamreh is a liberated prisoner from Israeli jails where he spent several years, and he is a former prisoner of the PA Intelligence and Preventive on several occasions.
PA intelligence has also summoned the liberated prisoner Amjad Qazzaz on Sunday morning, the prisoner's family stated, noting that the liberated prisoner Qazzaz was arrested several times by the occupation and was sentenced to one year and he was also arrested by PA security several times.
The liberated prisoner's family condemned this summons, saying that the PA arrests and summonses do not serve the national reconciliation talks.
7 dec 2012
PA security kidnaps two Hamas supporters, summons liberated prisoners
Palestinian Authority security apparatus continued their violations against supporters and cadres of the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" in the West Bank, arresting two of them in al-Khalil, and summoned two for interrogation in Ramallah.
PA services also postponed the courts of 23 Palestinians in Nablus and Qalqilya, and extended the detention of two others.
In al-Khalil, the General Intelligence services summoned Ali Ahmed Al-hor and his brother Saif from Surif. In Ramallah, the General Intelligence arrested the liberated captive Ayman Abu Eid from Bedo town for interrogation.
For his part, Abu Eid announced his refusal to respond to the summons. He is a liberated prisoner who spent nearly three years in the Israeli prisons, and he has already been arrested and summoned by the PA forces in Ramallah. PA security also summoned Sheikh Ashraf al-Hindi from the town of Turmus'ayya, one of the Marj Zhour deportees and liberated prisoner from Israeli jails.
In Nablus, judicial sources stated that the Court delayed the trial of 22 former detainees in "preventive security" to February, 16 of the next year.
The trial was postponed because four detainees were arrested by the occupation forces while the others were not informed about the trial date.
It is noteworthy that these detainees were released almost a year ago after a two-month detention, where they are brought before the court every two months.
The Magistrate's Court postponed in Nablus the trial of three Palestinians from the town of Tal southwest of the city after being arrested before 4 months by the Preventive Security Service.
Umamah site pointed out that the three detainees were Youssef Rayhan a former prisoner, Assid Assida, a former detainee and a student at An-Najah National University, and Assayd Rayhan, also a former detainee and a student at Al-Quds University.
PA courts also postponed the trial of Mr. Ahmed Nabil Amr from the town of Jayyous in Qalqilya to 09/01/2013. He is a former political prisoner for more than 10 times.
For its turn, Nablus court extended a few days ago the trial of the two leaders Omar Alghebrena and Yasin Abu Khamis from Balata refugee camp east of the city for 45 days.
PA services also postponed the courts of 23 Palestinians in Nablus and Qalqilya, and extended the detention of two others.
In al-Khalil, the General Intelligence services summoned Ali Ahmed Al-hor and his brother Saif from Surif. In Ramallah, the General Intelligence arrested the liberated captive Ayman Abu Eid from Bedo town for interrogation.
For his part, Abu Eid announced his refusal to respond to the summons. He is a liberated prisoner who spent nearly three years in the Israeli prisons, and he has already been arrested and summoned by the PA forces in Ramallah. PA security also summoned Sheikh Ashraf al-Hindi from the town of Turmus'ayya, one of the Marj Zhour deportees and liberated prisoner from Israeli jails.
In Nablus, judicial sources stated that the Court delayed the trial of 22 former detainees in "preventive security" to February, 16 of the next year.
The trial was postponed because four detainees were arrested by the occupation forces while the others were not informed about the trial date.
It is noteworthy that these detainees were released almost a year ago after a two-month detention, where they are brought before the court every two months.
The Magistrate's Court postponed in Nablus the trial of three Palestinians from the town of Tal southwest of the city after being arrested before 4 months by the Preventive Security Service.
Umamah site pointed out that the three detainees were Youssef Rayhan a former prisoner, Assid Assida, a former detainee and a student at An-Najah National University, and Assayd Rayhan, also a former detainee and a student at Al-Quds University.
PA courts also postponed the trial of Mr. Ahmed Nabil Amr from the town of Jayyous in Qalqilya to 09/01/2013. He is a former political prisoner for more than 10 times.
For its turn, Nablus court extended a few days ago the trial of the two leaders Omar Alghebrena and Yasin Abu Khamis from Balata refugee camp east of the city for 45 days.
4 dec 2012
Hamas: PA security services arrested 48 citizens in November
A report issued by the Information Office of Hamas movement revealed that PA apparatuses have arrested during November 48 Palestinian citizens affiliated with Hamas; most of them liberated prisoners, university students, political activists and journalists.
The report emphasized that in spite of all the initiatives undertaken by the government in Gaza for the success of reconciliation and restoring consensus and national unity, the security services in the occupied West Bank have continued their violations against supporters and cadres of Hamas through the arrests, summonses and illegal prosecutions, even during the eight days of the war on the Gaza Strip.
The security apparatuses in the occupied West Bank is also continuing the summonses which have affected dozens of members and cadres of Hamas and some other Palestinian factions that reject the policy of Fayyad's government, added the report.
It also pointed out that the political detainees in PA jails have been subjected to different forms of torture and solitary confinement as well as the non-application of the judicial decisions providing for the immediate release of some of the prisoners.
For its part, Ahrar Center for Human Rights demanded the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, to take positive steps towards achieving reconciliation on the ground, through releasing 37 political prisoners, who were ex-captives in Israeli jails where they had served long years.
The director of the center Fouad Al Khuffash said that the PA's security services in the West Bank have been breaking promises of releasing some political prisoners, which has infuriated the prisoners' families.
"It is time to end this political detention" said Al Khuffash, urging the Legislative Council to enact a law that would criminalize the political arrests, which has enhanced the division in the Palestinian society.
Ahrar center also hailed the positive step of allowing the return of a number of people from the Gaza Strip, who had left Gaza following the Palestinian division, stressing that the right of return to the home land is an inherent inalienable right.
The report emphasized that in spite of all the initiatives undertaken by the government in Gaza for the success of reconciliation and restoring consensus and national unity, the security services in the occupied West Bank have continued their violations against supporters and cadres of Hamas through the arrests, summonses and illegal prosecutions, even during the eight days of the war on the Gaza Strip.
The security apparatuses in the occupied West Bank is also continuing the summonses which have affected dozens of members and cadres of Hamas and some other Palestinian factions that reject the policy of Fayyad's government, added the report.
It also pointed out that the political detainees in PA jails have been subjected to different forms of torture and solitary confinement as well as the non-application of the judicial decisions providing for the immediate release of some of the prisoners.
For its part, Ahrar Center for Human Rights demanded the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, to take positive steps towards achieving reconciliation on the ground, through releasing 37 political prisoners, who were ex-captives in Israeli jails where they had served long years.
The director of the center Fouad Al Khuffash said that the PA's security services in the West Bank have been breaking promises of releasing some political prisoners, which has infuriated the prisoners' families.
"It is time to end this political detention" said Al Khuffash, urging the Legislative Council to enact a law that would criminalize the political arrests, which has enhanced the division in the Palestinian society.
Ahrar center also hailed the positive step of allowing the return of a number of people from the Gaza Strip, who had left Gaza following the Palestinian division, stressing that the right of return to the home land is an inherent inalienable right.
3 dec 2012
PA apparatuses arrest 2 Hamas supporters and summon 2 others
Authority security services arrested two supporters of Hamas movement in Tulkarem and Nablus, and summoned two others from Ramallah and Nablus, while Israeli forces arrested a liberated prisoner.
PA Preventive Security arrested a student at Al-Khadhouri University in Tulkarem, while the intelligence service arrested in Nablus a liberated prisoner and a student at al-Najah National University from the village of Kafr Kalil, east of the city.
The General Intelligence Service also summoned a student at BirZeit University in Ramallah, and a liberated prisoner from Nablus to the intelligence headquarters, but they announced their refusal to answer to the summonses.
The Preventive Security has continued detaining two leaders in Al-Quds Brigades in the West Bank who had been arrested on the morning of Friday May 3, 2010.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrested at dawn yesterday a former detainee by the Authority security apparatus and liberated captive who had served nearly ten years in Israeli jails, after raiding and searching his home in Hendaza area east of Bethlehem.
PA Preventive Security arrested a student at Al-Khadhouri University in Tulkarem, while the intelligence service arrested in Nablus a liberated prisoner and a student at al-Najah National University from the village of Kafr Kalil, east of the city.
The General Intelligence Service also summoned a student at BirZeit University in Ramallah, and a liberated prisoner from Nablus to the intelligence headquarters, but they announced their refusal to answer to the summonses.
The Preventive Security has continued detaining two leaders in Al-Quds Brigades in the West Bank who had been arrested on the morning of Friday May 3, 2010.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrested at dawn yesterday a former detainee by the Authority security apparatus and liberated captive who had served nearly ten years in Israeli jails, after raiding and searching his home in Hendaza area east of Bethlehem.
Nassif: the continuation of political arrests does not serve the reconciliation
Rafat Nasif, a Hamas leader, said that the security services of the Palestinian Authority continued its political arrests and summonses against Hamas supporters despite all the talk about reconciliation.
Nassif said in an interview with Quds Press that the positive atmosphere that prevailed before going to the United Nations was not yet translated on the ground.
The Hamas leader stated that the continuing arrests and summonses against Hamas activists in the occupied West Bank do not serve the reconciliation process and the public interest.
He stressed that "if there is a real will, we must stop the arrests and stop summoning citizens and ex-detainees," adding that there are no attempts to reopen communication channels with Fatah movement, in light of the continued arrests of youths and elements of the Islamic movement in different cities of the West Bank.
In a related context, Nassif confirmed that Hamas movement or any leader in the movement had not been invited officially to participate in the reception organized by the Fatah movement to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday after his return from New York.
Nassif said in an interview with Quds Press that the positive atmosphere that prevailed before going to the United Nations was not yet translated on the ground.
The Hamas leader stated that the continuing arrests and summonses against Hamas activists in the occupied West Bank do not serve the reconciliation process and the public interest.
He stressed that "if there is a real will, we must stop the arrests and stop summoning citizens and ex-detainees," adding that there are no attempts to reopen communication channels with Fatah movement, in light of the continued arrests of youths and elements of the Islamic movement in different cities of the West Bank.
In a related context, Nassif confirmed that Hamas movement or any leader in the movement had not been invited officially to participate in the reception organized by the Fatah movement to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday after his return from New York.
Hamas grants amnesty to collaborators, official says
Gaza's ministry of interior will pardon collaborators who turn themselves into authorities, a Hamas official said Sunday.
Interior minister Fathi Hammad, speaking at a graduation ceremony for Hamas security officers, said that anyone who confesses to collaborating with Israel will be pardoned and the details of their crimes kept secret from family and friends.
They will then be trained as resistance fighters, Hammad added.
Once the amnesty period is over, anyone found guilty of collaborating with Israel will be tried and sentenced, the minister said, adding that Hamas is trying to secure the home-front and prevent Israel from obtaining intelligence about Gaza.
Seven Palestinians accused of spying for Israel were publicly executed during the latest assault on Gaza.
Masked gunmen shot the alleged collaborators in two public attacks, killing one person on Nov. 16 and another six people on Nov. 20.
At the time, Hamas security officials said one man had confessed to aiding Israel while the six others "were caught red-handed" and "possessed hi-tech equipment and filming equipment to take footage of positions."
A Ma'an review of publicly available records as well as interviews with experts in Gaza showed that all of the men had been in the custody of the Hamas government for months and in one case years before Israel launched its "Pillar of Cloud" operation.
Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government, promised a full investigation into the killings, which he described as unlawful, while senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahhar dismissed criticism from Palestinian human rights groups.
Deputy chief of Hamas Mousa Abu Marzouq said the killings were "not acceptable at all," and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
Interior minister Fathi Hammad, speaking at a graduation ceremony for Hamas security officers, said that anyone who confesses to collaborating with Israel will be pardoned and the details of their crimes kept secret from family and friends.
They will then be trained as resistance fighters, Hammad added.
Once the amnesty period is over, anyone found guilty of collaborating with Israel will be tried and sentenced, the minister said, adding that Hamas is trying to secure the home-front and prevent Israel from obtaining intelligence about Gaza.
Seven Palestinians accused of spying for Israel were publicly executed during the latest assault on Gaza.
Masked gunmen shot the alleged collaborators in two public attacks, killing one person on Nov. 16 and another six people on Nov. 20.
At the time, Hamas security officials said one man had confessed to aiding Israel while the six others "were caught red-handed" and "possessed hi-tech equipment and filming equipment to take footage of positions."
A Ma'an review of publicly available records as well as interviews with experts in Gaza showed that all of the men had been in the custody of the Hamas government for months and in one case years before Israel launched its "Pillar of Cloud" operation.
Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government, promised a full investigation into the killings, which he described as unlawful, while senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahhar dismissed criticism from Palestinian human rights groups.
Deputy chief of Hamas Mousa Abu Marzouq said the killings were "not acceptable at all," and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
2 dec 2012
West Bank security services still detain 35 political prisoners
The committee of political prisoners' families in the West Bank called on all the parties to pressure on the Authority to immediately release all the political prisoners from the security apparatuses' jails in the West Bank.
The committee of the political prisoners' families confirmed that the security services in the West Bank are still detaining more than 35 political prisoners in its different jails in the West Bank, 10 of whom have been held since before 2011.
The Committee pointed out that it has documented over the past few days a number of summonses and political arrests in the different governorates of the West Bank, despite the prevailing positive atmosphere.
The Committee also confirmed that one of the political prisoners, Islam Arouri from the town of Aroura, has launched a new hunger strike, few days ago, in protest at breaking the promises to release him by the authority's apparatuses.
It asserted that any future reconciliation would not be honest and serious if the people are not allowed to enjoy real freedoms on the ground, and demanded the closure of the file of political detention and the immediate release of all the detainees.
The committee of the political prisoners' families confirmed that the security services in the West Bank are still detaining more than 35 political prisoners in its different jails in the West Bank, 10 of whom have been held since before 2011.
The Committee pointed out that it has documented over the past few days a number of summonses and political arrests in the different governorates of the West Bank, despite the prevailing positive atmosphere.
The Committee also confirmed that one of the political prisoners, Islam Arouri from the town of Aroura, has launched a new hunger strike, few days ago, in protest at breaking the promises to release him by the authority's apparatuses.
It asserted that any future reconciliation would not be honest and serious if the people are not allowed to enjoy real freedoms on the ground, and demanded the closure of the file of political detention and the immediate release of all the detainees.
1 dec 2012
Political prisoner Arouri goes on hunger strike until achieving his release
The Palestinian political prisoner Islam Arouri started a hunger strike in the PA Preventive Apparatus' prison in Ramallah to protest at the continuation of his detention.
The Committee of political prisoners' families in the West Bank asserted that the prisoner Arouri, from the town of Aroura in Ramallah district, has decided to continue the hunger strike until his release as well as the rest of the political prisoners.
Arouri has been arrested on October 7, 2010 by the Preventive Security Service, two months after his marriage, and he has been subjected to different forms of torture in the Beitonia prison and in the solitary confinement.
After a period of his arrest, a military court sentenced him to three years imprisonment, of which he had already served 25 months.
Islam went on hunger strike on June 18, 2012 along with other detainees in the prisons of the PA security apparatuses.
The PA's apparatuses did not pay any attention to the conditions of the hunger striking prisoner, but rather escalated the repressive measures against him through transferring him to solitary confinement in order to pressure him to end his strike.
Islam's mother repeatedly appealed to the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the human rights organizations to intervene and release her son who needs to undergo an urgent surgery, but the appeals fell on deaf ears.
The Committee of political prisoners' families in the West Bank asserted that the prisoner Arouri, from the town of Aroura in Ramallah district, has decided to continue the hunger strike until his release as well as the rest of the political prisoners.
Arouri has been arrested on October 7, 2010 by the Preventive Security Service, two months after his marriage, and he has been subjected to different forms of torture in the Beitonia prison and in the solitary confinement.
After a period of his arrest, a military court sentenced him to three years imprisonment, of which he had already served 25 months.
Islam went on hunger strike on June 18, 2012 along with other detainees in the prisons of the PA security apparatuses.
The PA's apparatuses did not pay any attention to the conditions of the hunger striking prisoner, but rather escalated the repressive measures against him through transferring him to solitary confinement in order to pressure him to end his strike.
Islam's mother repeatedly appealed to the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the human rights organizations to intervene and release her son who needs to undergo an urgent surgery, but the appeals fell on deaf ears.
Fatah finalizing list of detainees to be freed in Gaza
A Fatah affiliate is released from prison in Gaza
Fatah is working on a list of affiliates in Gaza jails to be released by the Hamas government as part of conciliatory measures between the rival governments, officials said.
Fatah has prepared a list to go before a committee to verify the inmates, Fatah official Yahya Rabah told Ma'an.
He reiterated the importance of the decision taken by the Hamas administration in Gaza to release Fatah-affiliated prisoners in order to push forward the long-stalled reconciliation deal between the parties.
"We need to see those men back in their homes and among their families to end a dark period of the split," he said.
Both Gaza and the West Bank government pledged last week to grant amnesties to those linked to their 2007 split.
In Gaza, a security official said Thursday that those linked to killings during the violent fighting leading up to the split would not be included in the amnesty.
Member of the bipartisan reconciliation committee Yasser al-Wadiyeh said the group had secured pledges from the parties to consider those killed as martyrs and provide compensation.
Fatah official Atef Abu Said said 56 party affiliates are in Gaza's jails for political reasons, and estimated that hundreds of members and employees of the security services had fled Gaza after 2007 when Hamas took control. Exiles are also expected to be pardoned under the deal.
Fatah is working on a list of affiliates in Gaza jails to be released by the Hamas government as part of conciliatory measures between the rival governments, officials said.
Fatah has prepared a list to go before a committee to verify the inmates, Fatah official Yahya Rabah told Ma'an.
He reiterated the importance of the decision taken by the Hamas administration in Gaza to release Fatah-affiliated prisoners in order to push forward the long-stalled reconciliation deal between the parties.
"We need to see those men back in their homes and among their families to end a dark period of the split," he said.
Both Gaza and the West Bank government pledged last week to grant amnesties to those linked to their 2007 split.
In Gaza, a security official said Thursday that those linked to killings during the violent fighting leading up to the split would not be included in the amnesty.
Member of the bipartisan reconciliation committee Yasser al-Wadiyeh said the group had secured pledges from the parties to consider those killed as martyrs and provide compensation.
Fatah official Atef Abu Said said 56 party affiliates are in Gaza's jails for political reasons, and estimated that hundreds of members and employees of the security services had fled Gaza after 2007 when Hamas took control. Exiles are also expected to be pardoned under the deal.