Activists Denied Bail, Promised Decent Food

Activists Denied Bail, Promised Decent Food While In Detention

[Tel Aviv District Court House]

While friends and supporters coming from the rally at the Qalqiliya wall looked on, Michael Sheikh and David Watson were told that presiding Judge Barron would need at least two more days to think about her decision. This forces the two to remain in detention at Ben Gurion airport until Sunday at least, while the state considers their appeal against deportation orders. Supporters are again requested to be present when the decision is made.

The hearing, described as "cut-and-paste accusations" from past deportation hearings of ISM activists, was briefly enlivened when the judge noticed an unidentified man sitting next to the prosecution. When asked to identify himself, he responded "No, no." The judge kept trying. Eventually he said he was a legal advisor to Prime Minister Sharon. After attempting to get more information, the judge finally got the clue that this man clearly, along with three others in the courthouse, worked for SHABAK, the Israeli secret police.

Gabi Laski, attorney for the defense, claimed that the Israeli government has a hidden policy of denying entry to humanitarian and human rights workers, and demanded the policy be exposed so it could be legally challenged. The defense also reiterated that humanitarian work cannot be made criminal.

International and Israeli pressure will always help. Please call or fax Minister of Interior Abraham Poraz Tel: +972-2-6701402 or +972-2-629-4701 Fax: +972-2-566-6376 or +972-2-629-4750

Recent and ongoing legal struggles have seriously impacted the legal fund. Please donate if you can. More information about the legal fund at http:// http://www.palsolidarity.org

DEIR AL GHASSOON IS NEXT

Sharon will not stop building the wall, we will not stop tearing it down.

Continuing the actions against the wall started outside Jenin on Monday.

North of Qalqiliya, Friday the 1st, farmers of the village of Deir al Ghassoon will dismantle the wall separating them from their lands, with their own hands.

They have requested that media and international activists be present as they attempt to gain access to what has been promised to them by the Israeli government.

Please convene at 11:15 at the center of Deir al Ghassoon, located approximately 20 minutes from Tulkarem along the road to Jenin. >From there the farmers will march to the barrier.

Activists from Australia, France, Canada, Italy, and many other countries will be present at the farmers' request.

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