JENIN, January 4, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Monday released former hunger striking prisoner, Khader Adnan, 42, from Araba, southwest of Jenin, after being detained for few hours at a flying military checkpoint near the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah.
Adnan’s family informed WAFA that Israeli soldiers detained him while on his way to offer condolences for Silwad’s Palestinians who were killed under pretext of attacks against Israeli targets, and to participate in a solidarity protest with prisoners at al-Manara Square in Ramallah.
Witnesses told WAFA Israeli soldiers forcefully stopped all vehicles without any prior warning for about 45 minutes and prevented anyone from advancing or turning around.
Adnan was ordered to leave the vehicle he was riding with another man and was taken to an unknown destination.
According to a Palestinian woman who was present during the incident, a taxi driver tried to turn around to avoid being held for a long time, but the soldiers took the taxi‘s keys to ensure he waits along.
Although international human rights law requires Israel to respect the right of Palestinians to move about freely in the occupied Palestinian territory, Israel continues to violate their rights to move freely on a daily basis.
According to B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights center, “Israel‘s policy is blatant discrimination based on ethno-national origin since these restrictions apply only to Palestinians.”
It explained, “Jewish residents are permitted to move about freely in areas where Palestinian movement is restricted. Thus, Israel’s policy violates the right to equality that is prescribed in all the human rights conventions to which Israel is party.”
These restrictions create a situation of “constant uncertainty for Palestinians regarding their ability to carry out everyday activities, such as going to work or school in the nearby town, marketing farm produce, obtaining medical treatment, or visiting relatives.”
For the year 2014, OCHA counted an average of 358 physical obstructions a month, compared to approximately 445 obstructions in 2012, 434 obstructions for May through December 2011 and an average of 519 for the year 2010.
The obstructions prevent the crossing of vehicles even in emergencies. In addition, they restrict the movement of many pedestrians who have trouble bypassing them: the elderly, sick persons, pregnant women, and small children, said B’Tselem.
D.J/M.H
