There are, at present, about 90 women political prisoners in the Israeli jails: In Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond) about 85, the rest in Neve Tirza Prison (Ramle) and in several detention centers.
Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond)
The conditions in the cells
This winter it is extremely cold in the cells, colder than in previous winters. The women prisoners cannot use any heaters in their damp cells because of electricity power problems that the prison authorities do not repair. Moreover, on rainy days the water penetrates into the cells, and the beds that are placed near the windows are getting wet.
Prisoner on a hunger strike
Nura elHashlamon, from Hebron, mother of six, an administrative detainee, was arrested on 17 September 2006. On 12 December 2007 she began a hunger strike demanding her immediate release.
The prison authorities reacted by punishing her: They transferred her to an isolation cell, took all her belongings except some clothes and deprived her of children's visits and recreation time in the courtyard. There was a large amount of broken glass on the floor of the isolation cell. The prison authorities refused to give Nura a broom to clean the floor, and she was not able to pray because of the broken glass. Afterwards she cleaned the floor with paper.
Nura is continuing her hunger strike. To read the urgent appeal that we sent .
Please write urgent protest letters to:
The Israeli Embassy in your country.
The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Fax number: +972 2 654 67 17
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Tel Aviv:
Phone: +972 3 524 52 86 Fax: +972 3 527 03 70
jerusalem.jer@icrc.org
ICRC Delegation
185, Hayarkon Street
Tel Aviv 63453, Israel
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Jerusalem
Tel.: +972 2 -582 88 45 / -582 84 41
Fax: +972 2 581 13 75
jerusalem.jer@icrc.org
ICRC Mission
Nabi Shu'eib St 8, Sheikh Jarrah district
P.O.B. 20253
Jerusalem 91202, Israel
Dr. Maryam Salah, from elBira, 55 years old, a member of the Palestinian Parliament, was arrested on 12 November 2007. She was held in Mosqobiyeh Detention Center (Russian Compound in Jerusalem) and endured harsh interrogations: She was prevented from sleeping, sometimes during the whole night, her hands were tied to a chair for hours, and the interrogator spoke rudely and humiliated her. She was held in dirty cells; in one of them there was no bed.
In the middle of December the court decided to release her on bail. After her family paid the bail, the Israeli authorities placed her under an administrative detention order for three months, and transferred her to Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond).
The way from prison to court is a harrowing journey for her. For example, on one occasion, she was held from 8 o'clock until 17 o'clock in a car, was not allowed to go to the toilet except once, and was tightly shackled all these long hours.
Muna Q'adan, 36 years old, from 'Arabe, Jenin district, an administrative detainee, was arrested on 2 August 2007. Her administrative detention was extended for two months.
New prisoner
Ehsan Hasan Dababsa from Hebron
Sentences
Etaf ‘Alian, from Ramallah, arrested on 22 December 2005, 43 years old, mother of a three years old girl, was sentenced to 28 months' imprisonment.
Wadha Fuqaha, from Ramallah, arrested on 22 June 2006, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment and a fine of 15000 NIS (about 3750 $).
Manar Jabreen, from Um elFahem, arrested in June 2006, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
Releases
Frial Ja'ara, from el'Aida Refugee Camp, 18 years old, was arrested on 20 September 2004 and released on 25 November 2007.
Samar Sbih, from Gaza (lived inTulkarem at the time of her arrest), was arrested on 29 September 2005 and released on 17 December 2007.
Asmaa Hamdan, from Tulkarem, was arrested on 10 March 2007 and released on 20 December 2007.
Nida elJayusi, from Ramallah, was arrested on 8 July 2007 and released on bail on 28 November 2007.
Qautar Diab, from Qalqilya, was arrested in October 2007 and released on bail of 15000 NIS (about 3750 $) at the end of November.
Neve Tirza Prison (Ramle)
Prisoner on a hunger strike
Amneh Muna, 30 years old, from Jerusalem, has been held in separation for more than 15 months. On 12 December, Amneh Muna was transferred again to Neve Tirza Prison to a terrible cell, smaller then the previous one; there is no separation between the toilet and the other spaces, the toilet is very close to the bed so that the bed is getting wet whenever she takes a shower. There is no socket for electricity in this cell, which prevents Amneh from using any electric device. The bed is made of concrete.
On 14 December Amneh Muna began a hunger strike again, demanding to be transferred back to Hasharon Prison (Tel Mond) and to have her conditions improved. The prison authorities reacted by imposing on her a fine of 500 NIS (about 125$).
Please write urgent protest letters to:
The Israeli Embassy in your country.
Beni Kanian
The Head of the Israeli Prison Service
Fax number: +972 8 919 38 00
P.O.B. 81
Ramle 72100, Israel
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Tel Aviv:
jerusalem.jer@icrc.org
Fax: +972 3 527 03 70
Tel.: +972 3 524 52 86
ICRC delegation
185, Hayarkon Street
Tel Aviv 63453, Israel
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Jerusalem
jerusalem.jer@icrc.org
Tel.: +972 2 -582 88 45 / -582 84 41
Fax: +972 2 581 13 75
ICRC Mission
Nabi Shu'eib St 8, Sheikh Jarrah district
P.O. Box 20253
Jerusalem 91202, Israel
The International Day Against Violence Against Women
On 25 November 2007, on the occasion of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, "Assiwar – the feminist Arab movement in support of victims of sexual abuse"
together with WOFPP organized an evening of solidarity with the Palestinian women political prisoners in Assiwar place in Haifa. On the panel of the event participated:
Najla 'Athamna, head of Assiwar board.
Sahar 'Abdu, from Abnaa elBalad ("The Sons of the Country") Movement who had been a detainee in Kishon Detention Center (Jalame) for 28 days in February 2004.
Tareq Muna, the brother of the political prisoner Amneh Muna.
Taghreed Jahshan, WOFPP's lawyer.
To read more about the event
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