Students for Palestine

ADDAMEER PRESS RELEASE: 06/01/2009

JERUSALEM BASED TV JOURNALISTS ARRESTED FOR ‘INFRINGING NEW LEGAL MEASURES’ TO RESTRICT REPORTING OF ISRAEL’S LATEST OPERATION

International TV journalist, Khader Shahin was arrested in Jerusalem Tuesday, allegedly for infringing new legal measures to restrict reporting of Israel’s latest onslaught on Gaza. Shahin is a 33 year old Palestinian living in Jerusalem, working as a correspondent for Al Alam TV. He is now being investigated for spreading “state secrets.”

On Monday, the 5th of January 2009, Khader states that he had been receiving anonymous phone calls from different numbers claiming that he was ‘wanted’. Later that evening a reporter from the Israeli TV Channel 2 also reported that there was a warrant out for Khader’s arrest. Until that time Khader had heard no confirmation from the Israeli police stating that he was ‘wanted’. Khader immediately contacted his lawyer, Mohammad Dahli who in turn contacted the Israeli police. He was informed that Khader must immediately present himself to the police.

On Tuesday, Khader was taken to the police unit of the international interrogation section of Petah Tikvah detention center where he is still being detained. In addition to Khader, the Israeli authorities have arrested the producer of Al Alam TV, Mohammad Sarhan. Mohammad is a 27 year old Jerusalemite who is currently studying law in Ramat Gan College. The TV crew’s cameraman, Ahmad Jalajal was released yesterday at midnight.

Khader and Mohammad are due to appear before the court today in order that their detention is extended. They have been accused of reporting on Israel’s ground assault before the Israeli military spokesman had released the news. As a result, Mohammad and Khader have both been charged with ‘breaching the media code of ethics’.

Addameer demands the immediate release of Khader and Mohammad. In relation to this we wish to express our concern that Israel’s attempt to close Gaza to the international media and human rights monitors indicates that its army is seeking to operate without oversight or accountability. According to Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has “the right to freedom of opinion and expression” and also the right to “seek, receive and impart” information and ideas “regardless of frontiers.” This has been re-affirmed by several charters and declarations around the world most notably Article 79 of the first Additional Protocol of 1977 which states that journalists are entitled to the same protection as civilians and may not be deliberately targeted. Addameer thus urges the local and international community to demand that Israel abide by international law and release Khaled and Mohammad immediately.

A top UN official has called for “concrete action” against Israel over the country’s treatment of Palestinians in the territories.

General Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann suggested Monday that the international community should consider sanctions against Israel including “boycott, divestment and sanctions” similar to those enacted against South Africa two decades ago.

“Today, perhaps we in the United Nations should consider following the lead of a new generation of civil society who are calling for a similar nonviolent campaign,” said D’Escoto, a Nicaraguan diplomat who currently holds the one-year presidency.

Israeli soldier attacking a demonstration in Nilin

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

A Canadian student who took part in a protest against the security wall Israel’s building in the West Bank has been arrested and faces deportation from the Jewish state.

Victor McDiarmid, a volunteer for the International Solidarity Movement, had been living in the West Bank for nearly a month when he was arrested Wednesday at a demonstration by women from the village of Nilin, where Israel plans to build the next section of its security barrier.

McDiarmid, 23, was arrested after taking photographs of Israeli soldiers who were breaking up the protest by villagers, who say the barrier will separate them from their farmland.

“He was taken by Israeli soldiers whilst at the front of the demonstration and was taken off towards the jeep. And then he has reported to us that for 20 minutes they were punching, kicking and spitting in his face,” said Adam Taylor, ISM’s media co-ordinator.

The organization’s lawyers say they were told McDiarmid, who is from Kingston, Ont., was to be released Thursday from the Israeli military prison where he was being held. Instead, he has been transferred to a detention centre for people facing deportation.

An Israeli Defence Force spokesperson said officials won’t be able to comment until they check details after the Jewish Sabbath.

His parents told CBC News they support their son and the work he was doing in Israel to expose human rights violations.

Robert McDiarmid said he is outraged his son could still be sitting in a detention centre.

“I’m angry at the human rights abuses in the West Bank. I’m angry that the Canadian government’s aborting,” McDiarmid said, adding that his son has said he wants to stay in Israel and fight his deportation.

The International Solidarity Movement describes itself on its website as a “Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles.”

http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/

Hicham Yezza, a popular, respected and valued former PhD student and current employee of the University of Nottingham faces deportation to Algeria on Sunday 1st June. This follows his unjust arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000 on Wednesday 14th May alongside Rizwaan Sabir and their release without charge six days later.

It has subsequently become clear that these arrests, which the police had claimed related to so-called “radical materials” involved an Al Qaeda manual downloaded by Sabir as part of his research into political Islam and emailed to Yezza for printing because Sabir couldn’t afford to get it printed himself. There has been a vocal response from lecturers and students. A petition is being circulated, letters have been sent by academics across the world and a demo is being planned for Wednesday the 28th May. This has clearly been deeply embarrassing to a government currently advocating an expansion of anti-terror powers.

On his release Hicham was re-arrested under immigration legislation and, due to confusion over his visa documentation, charged with offences relating to his immigration status. He sought legal advice and representation over these matters whilst in custody. On Friday 23rd May, he was suddenly served with a deportation notice and moved to an immigration detention centre. The deportation is being urgently appealed.

Hicham has been resident in the U.K for 13 years, during which time he has studied for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Nottingham.

He is an active member of debating societies, a prominent member of an arts and theatre group, and has written for, and edited, Ceasefire, the Nottingham Student Peace Movement magazine for the last five years.

He is well known and popular on campus amongst the university community and has established himself as a voracious reader and an authority on literature and music. An application for British citizenship was underway, and he had been planning to make his yearly trip to Wales for the Hay Festival when he was suddenly arrested.

The authorities are clearly trying to circumvent the criminal justice system and force Hicham out of the country. Normally they would have to wait for criminal proceedings to finish, but here they have managed to convince the prosecution to drop the charges in an attempt to remove him a quick, covert manner. The desire for justice is clearly not the driving force behind this, as Hicham was happy to stand trial and prove his innocence.

Hicham had a large social network and many of his friends are mobilising to prevent his deportation. Matthew Butcher, 20, a student at the University of Nottingham and member of the 2008-9 Students Union Executive, said, “This is an abhorrent abuse of due process, pursued by a government currently seeking to expand anti-terror powers. Following the debacle of the initial ‘terror’ arrests they now want to brush the whole affair under the carpet by deporting Hicham.”

Supporters have been able to talk with Hicham and he said, “The Home Office operates with a Gestapo mentality. They have no respect for human dignity and human life. They treat foreign nationals as disposable goods - the recklessness and the cavalier approach they have belongs to a totalitarian state. I thank everyone for their support - it’s been extremely heartening and humbling. I’m grateful to everyone who has come to my aid and stood with me in solidarity, from students to Members of Parliament. I think this really reflects the spirit of the generous, inclusive Britain we know - and not the faceless, brutal, draconian tactics of the Home Office.”

[ENDS]

Contact: Sam Walton, 07948590262, staffandstudents@googlemail.com