West Bank Rises In Protest
By Countercurrents.org
4 March, 2013
Countercurrents.org
Palestinians and Israeli soldiers clash at Howara checkpoint, Nablus . (Photo: Ayman Nubani/ Wafa)
A hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner whose detention without charge in Israel has sparked violent protests across the West Bank has called on the British government to force Israel to abandon its practice of administrative detention.
Writing for Comment is free, Samer Issawi – who was hospitalized last Wednesday evening having refused food for more than 210 days in protest at his imprisonment – argues that Britain should take responsibility for its role in the genesis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the subsequent suffering of Palestinians.
Pointing to the UK 's "historic responsibility for the tragedy of my people", he says the British government should impose sanctions on Israel "until it ends the occupation, recognizes Palestinian rights and frees all Palestinian political prisoners".
" Israel would not dare continue its oppression of the Palestinians without the support of western governments," Issawi writes.
Issawi, who was affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was arrested in April 2002 and sentenced to 26 years in prison for membership of an illegal organization, attempted murder and possession of explosives. During the second intifada he manufactured and distributed pipe bombs and in several incidents opened fire indiscriminately on Israeli civilian vehicles.
Hundreds of Palestinian protesters met Israeli soldiers in clashes across the West Bank following midday prayers last Friday.
Demonstrations were organized in support of the hunger strikers at flashpoints including Ofer prison, Qalandiya checkpoint and Bili'in, a village whose struggle against encroaching Israeli settlements was captured in the Oscar-nominated documentary 5 Broken Cameras.
Tariq Qaadan and Jafar Azzedine abandoned their hunger strike last week after a deal was struck securing their release at the end of May. Negotiations are now under way to resolve the cases of Issawi and Ayman Sharawna.
Sharawna, who has been on intermittent hunger strike since July, is also under observation in hospital. Both men were freed by Israel as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange in 2011 but subsequently rearrested for allegedly violating the terms of their release – charges they deny.
"The Israeli side has begun dialogue today to find a solution to this issue, but so far they have not presented an acceptable offer," Issa Qaraqe, the Palestinian Authority's minister for prisons told reporters on March 1, 2013, adding that Issawi and Sharawna had refused an offer to be freed and deported.
I shall remain alive
Samer Issawi wrote [2]:
My story is no different from that of many other Palestinian young people who were born and have lived their whole lives under Israeli occupation. At 17, I was arrested for the first time, and jailed for two years. I was arrested again in my early 20s, at the height of the second intifada in Ramallah, during an Israeli invasion of numerous cities in the West Bank – what Israel called Operation Defensive Shield. I was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges relating to my resistance to the occupation.
I am not the first member of my family to be jailed on my people's long march towards freedom. My grandfather, a founding member of the PLO, was sentenced to death by the British Mandate authorities, whose laws are used by Israel to this day to oppress my people; he escaped hours before he was due to be executed. My brother, Fadi, was killed in 1994, aged just 16, by Israeli forces during a demonstration in the West Bank following the Ibrahimi mosque massacre in Hebron . Medhat, another brother, has served 19 years in prison. My other brothers, Firas, Ra'afat and Shadi were each imprisoned for five to 11 years. My sister, Shireen, has been arrested numerous times and has served a year in prison. My brother's home has been destroyed. My mother's water and electricity have been cut off. My family, along with the people of my beloved city Jerusalem , are continuously harassed and attacked, but they continue to defend Palestinian rights and prisoners.
After almost 10 years in prison, I was released in the Egypt-sponsored deal between Israel and Hamas to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, on July 7, 2012, I was arrested again near Hizma, an area within the municipality of Jerusalem , on charges of violating the terms of my release (that I should not leave Jerusalem ). Others who were released as part of that deal were also arrested, some with no declared reason. Accordingly, I began a hunger strike on August 1 to protest against my illegal imprisonment and Israel 's violation of the agreement.
My health has deteriorated greatly, but I will continue my hunger strike until victory or martyrdom. This is my last remaining stone to throw at the tyrants and jailers in the face of the racist occupation that humiliates our people.
I draw my strength from all the free people in the world who want an end to the Israeli occupation. My weak heartbeat endures thanks to this solidarity and support; my weak voice gains its strength from voices that are louder, and can penetrate the prison walls.
My battle is not just for my own freedom. My fellow hunger strikers, Ayman, Tarik and Ja'afar, and I are fighting a battle for all Palestinians against the Israeli occupation and its prisons. What I endure is little compared to the sacrifice of Palestinians in Gaza , where thousands have died or been injured as a result of brutal Israeli attacks and an unprecedented and inhuman siege.
However, more support is needed. Israel could not continue its oppression without the support of western governments. These governments, particularly the British, which has a historic responsibility for the tragedy of my people, should impose sanctions on the Israeli regime until it ends the occupation, recognizes Palestinian rights, and frees all Palestinian political prisoners.
Do not worry if my heart stops. I am still alive now and even after death, because Jerusalem runs through my veins. If I die, it is a victory; if we are liberated, it is a victory, because either way I have refused to surrender to the Israeli occupation, its tyranny and arrogance
Protests
On protests across the West Bank an earlier report [3] said:
Two people were critically wounded by live fire on March 1, 2013 as hundreds of protesters rallied across the West Bank to protest the death of a Palestinian prisoner last week.
Mahmoud Audah, 20, was shot in the head with live fire during clashes with Israeli soldiers at Qalandia checkpoint. He was transferred to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem in a critical condition.
Palestinian journalist Jihad al-Qadi was shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces while covering clashes outside Ofer detention center. Al-Qadi was operated on by doctors and had to have part of his liver removed.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that “200 Palestinians took part in a violent and illegal riot in Beitunia, and hurled firebombs and rocks at security personnel, who responded with riot dispersal means.”
Dozens of Palestinian protesters were hit by rubber bullets while others suffered from tear gas during clashes across the West Bank between Israeli troops and protesters.
In Hebron , Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters marking the anniversary of the 1994 massacre of 29 Palestinians at the Ibrahimi mosque.
A Palestinian Authority police officer was hit in the head with a tear gas canister and another police officer was hit by a rubber bullet.
Both were evacuated to a nearby hospital.
In Ramallah , PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the governor of Ramallah were among hundreds who choked seriously as they inhaled tear gas during a march in Bilin to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the popular resistance movement, which started in the village when Israel started to build the separation wall.
Israeli forces clashed with protesters in Bethlehem , Nabi Salih, Salfit, Abu Dis, Nablus and Hebron as people took to the streets in protest against the death of Arafat Jadarat, who died last Saturday in Israel 's Megiddo prison.
Israeli authorities have called the cause of death ambiguous, but a Palestinian Authority health official present at his autopsy concluded the body showed signs of torture.
Another report [4] said:
A number of citizens on March 1, 2013 suffered from suffocation following the suppression by the Israeli Occupation Forces of a peaceful march against the wall and settlements.
Eyewitnesses said the Israeli forces attacked demonstrators soon after they arrived to the land that was seized south of the village. The IOF chased them to the main entrance of the village and closed this entrance, which led to clashes between protesters and soldiers.
Witnesses also reported that the forces stormed several houses in the village, climbed to the rooftops and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs between the houses, leading to dozens of suffocation-related injuries.
A young man was wounded in the head and dozens of others suffered from suffocation injuries due to Israeli Occupation Forces suppressing Friday's march in Hebron .
A young man was arrested and dozens suffered injuries from the tear gas soldiers were using to dispel protesters. The young man's face was bleeding after the IOF beat him. They took him to the settlement “Beit Hadassah,” known as “Al-dbuyah,” which is built on the lands in the center of Hebron .
Occupation Forces suppressed the weekly march calling for the reopening of the road between Hebron and neighboring towns that has been closed for twelve years.
Dozens of Palestinian militants and international and Israeli peace activists participated in the march, which began from the “Al-Harayiq” area south of Hebron where the “Beit Hagai” settlement is.
Ratib al-Jabour, an activist from the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, said that this action was to show solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails and to reaffirm the unity of the Palestinians inside and outside of the prisons, as well as to demand the opening of the road between Hebron and other nearby towns.
The area has seen an intense increase in the presence of Israeli settlers, occupation soldiers, and police, who demanded that the protesters leave the area, and prevented them from approaching a fence near “Beit Hagai” settlement, by firing tear gas and sound bombs.
The march was organized by the National People's Committee in the Southern West Bank and activists from the Committee for the Defense of Hebron.
On March 1, 2013, Israeli Occupation Forces suppressed a peaceful march organized by the Ministry of Religious Endowments to protest the occupation's taking over of the land belonging to citizens of the villages of Haris and Bruqin in the Salfit region, for the construction of new factories in the area's settlements.
Israeli forces fired stun grenades and tear gas at the participants following Friday prayers, leading to several injuries due to inhalation of the gas.
A number of citizens were injured during clashes with the IOF at the entrance to the town of ‘Anata, next to the road to Jericho east of Jerusalem .
Clashes broke out at the entrance to the town. The IOF fired metal bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas at the protesters. One man was injured by a direct hit by a tear gas canister, others were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, and many suffered due to gas inhalation.
On the same day, a number of citizens were injured in clashes in the southern outskirts of Nablus .
These clashes broke out in the main square at the center of town with hundreds marching in solidarity with prisoners for the second week in row.
The IOF fired stun grenades and gas at protesters, injuring some of them. Clashes are continuing at the time of this posting.
The Palestinian Popular Resistance Movement held a weekly gathering to protest the occupation and support the martyrs (this time specifically Arafat Jaradat) and the nation in general.
The march began at Martyr's Square in the center of the town of Nabi Saleh and headed toward land that has been confiscated. Dozens of village residents, activists, and international participants gathered and chanted slogans condemning the occupation and settlements and demanding the release of prisoners, especially those on hunger strike. As the march advanced a violent clashes broke out between angry youth and the IOF. The soldiers dispersed the demonstrators with gas bombs and rubber and metal bullets. Sources say six civilians were wounded, including two children.
Occupation forces stormed the village and targeted specific homes and individuals. Several were injured in the exchanges, including the young Bakr al-Tamini, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment due to the extensive tear gas.
The Popular Resistance Movement released a statement saying they would continue the struggle and promising “our brothers” in prison that they would remain strong and steadfast in looking towards achieving the ultimate goals of freedom and independence.
A number of citizens on the same day suffered from injuries due to gas inhalation as the IOF used the tear gas to disperse a protest in Maasara condemning the Apartheid Wall.
According to the Coordinator of the National Committee to Resist the Wall and Settlements in the Southern West Bank , Israeli soldiers assaulted the participants with tear gas and sound bombs, injuring some.
The demonstrators were demanding that human rights groups and international organizations focus on the plight of the Palestinian prisoners and condemning the Occupation's treatment of them.
Media coordinator for the march in Kafr Qaddum said the IOF wounded one man and arrested three during a march calling for the main entrance to the city to be reopened, as it was closed ten years ago.
The IOF ambushed the group and arrested Bilal Fathi Juma, 22), Nayef Khalil Juma, 17, and International Solidarity coordinator Tom Woodhead. They also assaulted and beat the protesters.
David Eshteiwi, 23, suffered injuries to his head after being hit with a rifle butt by a soldier. He was taken to Rafadia hospital in Nablus .
The march began with hundreds of villagers participating and chanting slogans calling for solidarity with the prisoners.
Hundreds of citizens performed Friday prayers at the Southern entrance to the town of al-Khader (Al-nashash checkpoint) to show solidarity with the prisoners.
The prayer leader spoke of the need for unity and strength among the Palestinian people behind the prisoners and the importance of expanding popular movements and actions to show this solidarity.
Source:
[1] guardian.co.uk, March 3, 2013, “Palestinian hunger striker demands UK impose sanctions on Israel ”,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/03/palestinian-hunger-striker-uk-israel-sanctions
[2] The Guardian, March 3, 2013, “We are fighting for all Palestinians”,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/03/hunger-strikers-fighting-for-palestinians-israel
[3] The Palestine Chronicle, March 1, 2013, “Two Palestinians Critically Wounded by Live Fire”,
http://palestinechronicle.com/two-palestinians-critically-wounded-by-live-fire/
[4] Palestine News Network, Mar 1, 2013, “Violent Clashes Between IOF and Protesters Throughout the West Bank ”
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