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Sumoud Statement on the Kidnapping of the Jericho Six
hazem2 | 03/14/2006 - 18:37
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Sumoud Political Prisoners Group strongly condemns the Israeli attack and 9-hour siege on the Jericho prison that took place yesterday. Three Palestinians were killed and tens injured during the siege. Ahmad Sa’adat, Ahed Abu Ghoulmi and four other prisoners were kidnapped during the siege by Israeli forces. Sumoud notes the following:
• The kidnapped prisoners are legitimate, well-respected political leaders of the Palestinian people who have consistently fought to defend their people against Israeli attacks and occupation. Ahmad Sa’adat was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council at the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) ticket.
• During the siege, Israeli military and political leaders openly announced their intention to commit war crimes. One Israeli colonel involved in the operation told the newspaper Ha’aretz "The objective is to arrest them, but there are no negotiations. Either they come out or they will be killed." The willingess to simply surround a Palestinian prison and assassinate those inside is an indication of the barbaric and racist nature of the Israeli state. It is remarkable that statements such as these - an open call to commit war crimes - can pass without comment within the Canadian media. It is one further confirmation of the cheapness with which Palestinian life is viewed by those in the West.
• The Palestinian Authority bears complicity in the kidnapping of the six prisoners and the killing of the three Palestinians during the arrest. Sa'adat was never tried or accused before a court of law. His arrest was illegal and his release had been demanded by the Palestinian High Court, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. The other prisoners had been tried in a kangaroo court that did not meet the minimum standards of due process. Despite this travesty, the PA continued to submit to British, American and Israeli pressure and refused to release the prisoners.
• We note that the Israeli raid on the Jericho prison took place with the full consent of British and American forces. The fact that “international monitors” simply disappeared from the prison prior to the raid is a striking indication of this fact. Once again, the Palestinian people are reminded that they should have no faith in the false “neutrality” of the international community.
• Israel is renowned for its use of violent torture against Palestinian political prisoners. There is no doubt that those kidnapped from Jericho will face this type of torture and we hold the British and US governments responsible for their conditions in detention.
Sumoud demands the immediate release of those kidnapped from Jericho along with the 8000 political prisoners currently held by Israel.
For more information contact Sumoud
Email: sumoud@tao.ca
or see http://sumoud.tao.ca
Spokespersons:
Rafeef Ziadah 416-616-7420
Hazem Jamjoum 416-858-8004
Sumoud Political Prisoners Group strongly condemns the Israeli attack and 9-hour siege on the Jericho prison that took place yesterday. Three Palestinians were killed and tens injured during the siege. Ahmad Sa’adat, Ahed Abu Ghoulmi and four other prisoners were kidnapped during the siege by Israeli forces. Sumoud notes the following:
• The kidnapped prisoners are legitimate, well-respected political leaders of the Palestinian people who have consistently fought to defend their people against Israeli attacks and occupation. Ahmad Sa’adat was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council at the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) ticket.
• During the siege, Israeli military and political leaders openly announced their intention to commit war crimes. One Israeli colonel involved in the operation told the newspaper Ha’aretz "The objective is to arrest them, but there are no negotiations. Either they come out or they will be killed." The willingess to simply surround a Palestinian prison and assassinate those inside is an indication of the barbaric and racist nature of the Israeli state. It is remarkable that statements such as these - an open call to commit war crimes - can pass without comment within the Canadian media. It is one further confirmation of the cheapness with which Palestinian life is viewed by those in the West.
• The Palestinian Authority bears complicity in the kidnapping of the six prisoners and the killing of the three Palestinians during the arrest. Sa'adat was never tried or accused before a court of law. His arrest was illegal and his release had been demanded by the Palestinian High Court, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. The other prisoners had been tried in a kangaroo court that did not meet the minimum standards of due process. Despite this travesty, the PA continued to submit to British, American and Israeli pressure and refused to release the prisoners.
• We note that the Israeli raid on the Jericho prison took place with the full consent of British and American forces. The fact that “international monitors” simply disappeared from the prison prior to the raid is a striking indication of this fact. Once again, the Palestinian people are reminded that they should have no faith in the false “neutrality” of the international community.
• Israel is renowned for its use of violent torture against Palestinian political prisoners. There is no doubt that those kidnapped from Jericho will face this type of torture and we hold the British and US governments responsible for their conditions in detention.
Sumoud demands the immediate release of those kidnapped from Jericho along with the 8000 political prisoners currently held by Israel.
For more information contact Sumoud
Email: sumoud@tao.ca
or see http://sumoud.tao.ca
Spokespersons:
Rafeef Ziadah 416-616-7420
Hazem Jamjoum 416-858-8004
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