Inside Israel's Military Courts - visiting Ofer

Ofer - UN photograph

According to Addameer Association, there are currently 6200 Palestinian political prisoners.  Every person I have met during my short time in the West Bank has a friend or relative who has been imprisoned, often under 'administrative detention' meaning they have not been charged or tried.    Any opposition to the occupation is deemed a 'threat' to the security of Israel. Perhaps it is this alleged 'threat' that Israel feels justifies their continued human rights abuses of prisoners.

This week, I attended a trial of my friend Mohammad Alazza in 'Ofer' Israeli military court, which lies within the Ofer prison grounds on the outskirts of Ramallah.  I wasn't convinced I would be permitted entry however on reflection it is obvious that Israel's international impunity which has allowed the occupation and land theft to continue, means they no longer care who knows  the ins and outs of their mickey mouse judicial system.

Despite its close proximity to bustling Ramallah, it is an eerily quiet place.  It was 27 degrees and court attendees have to park some distance away, walking along a dusty track to pass their first security check.  A young Israeli woman looked at my passport and sent us through the metal turnstiles.  Like many of the soldiers/security staff I met, she spoke neither Arabic nor English, making the process even more confusing and obscure.  We then walked a much further distance, passing a manned watch tower, the occupying army flag flying high in the air.  

We arrived to the 'waiting room' which is effectively an over-sized bus shelter with rusty chairs and a few lockers where you should leave all your belongs and pay 5 shekels for the privilege.  At this point, I feel like I'm seeing scenes from Guantanamo prison - definitely not the 'Visit Israel', 'only democracy in the Middle East' propaganda.    There are two toilets here, one without a door.  Families wait here come winter, rain or snow.

The first waiting area

Eventually, Mohammad's name is barked over the crackling speaker.  He is a journalist and has been attending court for the same case every month for over two years, never knowing if this will be the day he is taken to prison or fined an obscene amount of money based on a case with zero evidence.  He is a joker by nature, light-hearted despite a heavy life.  However throughout the day I feel his frustration and his exhaustion with it all.

I have to leave my passport with the security staff which always unnerves me.  When we arrive to the final holding area, I'm shocked to see that 'courts' are Ikea-esque portacabins.  Two women approach us from an Israeli nongovernmental organisation, they are there acting as observers and try to keep the plaintive informed of the court proceedings, however they seem as bemused as we are.  They introduce us to an Israeli lawyer who tells us he was shot by the IDF for attending a protest in Nabi Saleh, he received compensation but there was no punishment for the soldier who was caught on film shooting him at close range.  If there is no justice for their own citizens, how can we expect it for Palestinians?

Unfortunately, my friends lawyer was unable to attend, meaning his case will be yet again postponed. However this was not before the judge tried to convince him to accept his sentence without his lawyer being present and the prosecutor recommending he goes to prison and is fined.

We are the last to leave Ofer military court that day.  We say goodbye to the Israeli woman through the caged walkway we are forced to exit through as they step into their car to return home.

The experience reminded me of being at the theatre, seeing a play I've already been to.  This 'court' is not about justice, nor security, it's about the control and degradation of the Palestinian people.  And as an added bonus, they are making money from this farcical process.

 

Mohammad reports from Aida refugee camp on a regular basis, you can check out his work here - Mohammad Al-Azza.  

Ahlan wa Sahlan (welcome)

It has been my dream to visit Palestine for 10 years, and finally, I am here.

Palestine doesn't have its own airport or control over its own borders because of the Israeli illegal occupation of the land so I, with a heavy heart, flew into Tel Aviv.

On the British government travel advice page, people flying into Israel are warned that their personal email and social media accounts may be accessed by Israeli authorities as a condition of entry.  Any evidence of intention to visit Palestine is mostly likely to result in hours of questioning or immediate removal - first flight home and banned from Israel.  Having a Muslim name or if you have visited other Arab countries are also likely to lead to refusal of entry.  'Security' is the reason given for such blantant racism.

So because of my birthplace, name and a little luck, I was paid little attention to and passed through immigration without problem. 

A family I met in Tunisia collected me from the airport and I spent my first days with them in their home in Ramallah.  Whilst I would like to publicly thank everyone here who has shown me great kindness, and tell their stories, at this stage I am apprehensive to do so in case of any repercussions for them by the Israeli authorities.

Ramallah is a very cosmopolitan city, with cafes, bars and restaurants and a wealth of internationals who work, volunteer or visit.  However, the apartheid wall which separates Israel from Palestine and is illegal under international law, is a cruel reminder that this is anything but a normal city for its inhabitants.

Crossing checkpoints can take hours and you never know how long Israeli soldiers will make you wait or why.  I've heard countless stories of women giving birth at checkpoints and others dying there, unable to pass even by ambulance.

Now I'm living in a refugee camp in Bethlehem supporting an artist who has a disability.  The camp has had soldiers raiding homes in the night twice since I arrived 2 days ago. This is life for Palestine's children. Yesterday we heard about an Arab bus driver who was beaten and hung by Israeli settlers, he was 32 years old and a father.  The news reported this as suicide.

Today, 4 Israelis have been killed in Jerusalem and it has been reported as 'the most deadly terror attack in 6 years.'

This year over 2000 Palestinians, including women, children and the elderly have been killed by the Israeli forces and settlers.  The violence committed against Palestinians happens every second they breathe with every house demolition, every soldier occupying heir land, every checkpoint, every blocking of food and medical supplies and every tear gas canister and bullet fired.

The prime minister Netanyahu has already promised a heavy handed response, which we know means the collective punishment of all Palestinians.