Nablus Update

Nablus Update

Roqaia Al Aladas was freed from her occupied house today at 11 am. Feedback from our supporters indicates that initially the Nablus DCO denied that she was being held in the house and that the ISM were spreading lies to discredit the Israeli Army. Later they claimed that they were unable to do anything about her case because the house was held by Unit 35, a special forces unit that didn't answer to the DCO.

Susan, the American activist arrested at Hawarra Checkpoint, is currently being detained at Hadera Police Station, north of Netanya. Robin has told me that as soon as Susan and he arrived at the checkpoint the Israeli Captain recognised her.

"Susan," he said to her. "You've been interfering in things you shouldn't have. I thought you were a nice girl. You're very famous now you know."

He then confiscated her passport and made a phone call.

When Susan tried to explain her visa situation to him he said: "This has nothing to do with your visa. We didn't even know about you visa."

The ISM have hired a lawyer to represent her but when he arrived at Arael Police Station last night, he was refused a hearing with her. His advice is that the police do not have a leg to stand on concerning both her imprisonment and threatened deportation and that this is purely a case of illegal police harassment. He is also confident that as soon as she has her case is heard (probably Sunday) it will be dismissed and she will be freed. Feedback I have received from ISM supporters in the US indicates that they are mobililising on her behalf.

Meanwhile, in Nablus the remaining ISM activists have divided into day-shift and night-shift groups. Their activities will continue to focus on the delivery of food and medicine, rescue of the wounded and monitoring the activities of Israeli soldiers.

They are currently taking part in a demonstration organised by the Political Coalition (an alliance of Nablus community organisations). The demonstration commenced at noon outside the El Haj Nimar Mosque on the outskirts of the Old City.

The Nablus ISMers also report that another young man was killed today by an Israeli sniper while crossing the road. He was killed crossing the same street that his father was killed crossing yesterday.

For further information contact:

a.. Maria on 059 381 803 or

b.. Tommy 059 373 180

Michael ISM Media Coordinator Beit Sahour Occupied Palestine Phone: +972-2-2774602 Cell: +972-67-862 439 web: http://www.palsolidarity.org

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