Update: Internationals Taken Into IDF Custody

Urgent Action Appeal And Update On Internationals Taken Into IDF Custody

Update On Internationals Taken Into Idf Custody And Appeal For Supporters To Attend Hearing And Contact Government Officials Sunday, May 11, 2003

Radhika, a US citizen and Charlotte, a UK citizen were apprehended by Israeli forces near Tulkarm last night and are being held in Ariel police station, according to the police. They are scheduled for a hearing at 2:00 in Rishon Lezion, Israel Galili St #5, 3rd floor. We are asking that everyone who can attend please do so. Osama, a Palestinian coordinator working with the ISM who was detained with them suffered an epileptic seizure upon his arrest and was taken by ambulance to a Palestinian hospital.

Flo, a US citizen who was apprehended on Friday during an IDF raid on the offices of the ISM in Beit Sahour, is being held in the Hadera center for illegal immigrants. She has been told that she will be deported. Two women who were taken into custody at the same time, a Palestinian secretary working for the ISM and a social worker with Human Rights Watch have been released.

Alice and Nick, UK nationals who were detained at Erez checkpoint on Thursday evening, are being held in the Israeli Zohar military installation in a settlement in the Gaza Strip. Nick will likely be deported soon since he has a return ticket to the UK. Alice is refusing to purchase a ticket for her deportation so it is likely that her deportation will be delayed.

These are the latest Internationals to be illegally detained by Israeli forces in a campaign to remove those who bear witness to Israeli brutality and violations of international law.

We must stop this attempt to silence and deport human rights activists in the territories. According to reports released by the IDF, these volunteers have been detained and will be deported for `entering a closed military zone', despite the fact that none of the areas they were in had been declared closed military zones at the time the volunteers entered them nor did the IDF present any orders declaring the areas closed military zones. The first indication that anyone had of the areas being closed military zones was upon their arrest and detention. Gush Shalom, Coalition of Women for Peace and Ta'ayush are sponsoring a demonstration today, Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 18:30 opposite the Kirya on Kaplan St in Tel Aviv to protest the silencing and expulsion of ISM human rights activists from the occupied territories.

The phone calls helped last time.

Please call government officials to protest the illegal detentions and deportations and to demand that Osama receive proper medical treatment.

Ariel police station, call 03 906 5444 or 03 906 530.

For UK, Please call THE FOREIGN OFFICE 020 7008 1500, Also Contact your MP and Prime Minister

For Israel Contact Israeli Minister of Interior, Tel: +972-2-629- 4701; Fax: +972-2-629-4750 Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom Fax: +972-2-5303704 e-mail: sar@m... Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz Fax: +972-3-6916940, 6976990 e-mail: sar@m... Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fax: (+972-2) 566-4838 or 651-3955 or 651-2631

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