PCHR

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Press Release

Ref: 31/2006

Date: 14 March 2006

Time: 12:00 GMT

IOF Storm Jericho Prison in order to Arrest or Assassinate Ahmed Sa'adat: Two Guards Killed So Far in IOF Operation

In another escalation in violence, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed Jericho Prison on Tuesday morning, 14 March 2006, in order to arrest or assassinate Ahmed Sa'adat, Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and a number of other prisoners. The operation has so far left two guards dead and has injured a number of others.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 10:10, IOF, reinforced by at least 80 vehicles, including two bulldozers and two helicopters, moved into Jericho. They took position near the Palestinian governmental compound (/Muqata'a/) and Jericho Prison. They called through megaphones on all those who were inside the prison to surrender. Later, they specified their demand that Ahmed Sa'adat, Secretary General of the PFLP; Fu'ad al-Shoubaki, a member of Fatah, who is accused of smuggling weapons; and Majdi al-Reemawi, who is accused of assassinating the late Israeli Tourism Minister, Rehavam Ze'evi, must all surrender. A number of the prison guards confronted IOF. Two guards have been killed and 8 others have been wounded. The victims have not yet been identified as a result of the strict siege imposed by IOF on the area. At approximately 11:30, IOF started to demolish external walls of the prison and parts of the /Muqata'a/, where the prison lies. According to several sources, the US and British forces which guard Sa'adat left the prison 15 minutes before this attack.

It is worth noting that Sa'adat was arrested by Palestinian security services on 15 January 2002. He was detained in the Palestinian presidential compound in Ramallah, together with 5 other Palestinians, who are wanted by Israel. No charges were presented against him. On 1 May 2002, Sa'adat and the other five detainees were transferred to Jericho Prison in accordance with an agreement in this regard, in which the US administration played a major role.

Contrary to the case concerning 4 of the other detainees, who were convicted by a Palestinian military court of assassinating the late Israeli Tourism Minister, Rehavam Ze'evi, in Jerusalem in October 2001, no charges have been presented against Sa'adat, nor has he been brought to trial.

On 3 June 2003, the Palestinian High Court of Justice ordered the immediate release of Sa'adat, in response to a petition submitted by PCHR challenging the legality of Sa'adat's detention and demanding his immediate release.

Last week, PCHR, in cooperation with Hickman & Rose Solicitors, filed a lawsuit before the UK judiciary against the British government for its role in monitoring the illegal detention of Sa'adat in violation of the Palestinian High Court of Justice ruling. PCHR believes that this role violates the international law and humanitarian law.

PCHR strongly condemns this operation by IOF and expresses its shock at the withdrawal of the US and British guards from Jericho Prison before the operation took place. PCHR hold IOF fully responsible for the safety of Sa'adat and all other prisoners in Jericho Prison.

PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene and pressure the Israeli government to stop its military operation in Jericho Prison, as this operation will inevitably lead to more casualties among prisoners and guards.

-End-

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org , http://www.pchrgaza.org

#Palestine #AhmadSaadat #Statement #JerichoRaid #PalestinianCentreForHumanRights #MiddleEast

On the morning of Tuesday, March 14th, 2006, Israeli occupation forces accompanied by large numbers of tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters advanced on and surrounded the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) Jericho compound and prison in which the General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Saadat, four of his comrades, Fu'ad ash-Shawbaki, and many others were imprisoned. These forces bombarded the compound with artillery and rockets, destroying the buildings and battering the prison itself. All the prisoners were arrested and abducted, two Palestinians were killed, and twenty-three more injured—in total disregard of all international laws.

This heinous crime is another demonstration of systematic state terrorism perpetrated by the government of Ehud Olmert, acting Prime Minister of Israel, who replaced the Butcher of Beirut, Ariel Sharon, after Sharon’s stroke a few months ago. The victory by Hamas in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections and the immediate response from Israel, the United States, and the European Union (demanding that the Palestinians renounce all resistance and uphold obsolete PA-signed agreements) was a predictor of this Israeli escalation. Olmert has also recently unveiled plans to annex Palestinian land in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Jordan Valley, and unilaterally establish new borders for the “state” of Israel.

The Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG)—Chicago condemns Olmert’s plans and actions, especially this blatant assault on Jericho and Palestinian sovereignty, as well as U.S. and British complicity in the operation. Saadat and his four comrades were illegally arrested by the PA in 2002, and despite calls by the Palestinian High Court of Justice to release them, had been imprisoned in Jericho under U.S. and British “guardianship” since that time. When the Anglo-American guards, ostensibly guaranteeing the “security” of the prisoners, pulled out, the Israeli occupation forces immediately moved in and began their siege. The PSG regards this as proof, once more, that relying on American promises and guarantees leads to nothing but death, destruction, and the surrender of Palestinian national rights.

There were mass, popular outbursts of protest in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, throughout the Arab World, and in other countries where the Palestinian Diaspora resides (including actions led by Minneapolis’ Anti-War Committee and PSG-Chicago, respectively, in the U.S.). But the “international community” stayed silent, another example of the double standard these governments apply when dealing with the rights of the Palestinian and Arab people.

Israel, the U.S., and England targeted Saadat and the other political prisoners in an attempt to break the will of the Palestinian people and impede their ability to continue the resistance to occupation and U.S. imperialism. But the determination of the Palestinian people cannot be weakened, nor can that of the brave Iraqi resistance to U.S. war and occupation. On March 18th, as hundreds of thousands throughout the world, including here in Chicago, demand Troops Home Now! and an End to War and Occupation!, the Palestinian people, and their leaders like Saadat, will continue to represent the steadfast will of oppressed peoples everywhere. And the banner of struggle and liberation will continue to wave until all the national rights of the Iraqis and the Palestinians are secured.

Free All Palestinian Political Prisoners!

Liberation for Palestine and Iraq!

#ChicagoIL #PalestineSolidarityGroup #AhmadSaadat #Statement #JerichoRaid #MiddleEast