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.  

Buyer's Remorse

Willful ignorance is no longer an option, it is time for humanity to wake up and act for Palestine.  It is long overdue.

During the last assault on Gaza in the summer of 2014, a group of Dutch children produced a touching short film called 'We are no longer here', depicting the loss of lives of children at the hands of Israeli forces.  Over 2000 civilians were killed, over 1500 children orphaned and many others left permanently disfigured, scarred or disabled.

In the U.K, the only time we hear about Palestinians is during this kind of assault - or if an Israeli is killed, but of their daily suffering, we know so little.  We hear the terms 'ceasefire' or 'period of calm' etc and assume everything is fine and returning to 'normal' - but could you accept this supposed normal?

The Israeli aggression is systematic, brutal and sadistic to put it bluntly.  A couple of days ago after the 'worst snow in 30 years' they opened the dams leading to Gaza, resulting in the evacuation of 80 families from their homes, in a tiny strip of land where many are still sleeping in tents after the last attack.  This kind of deliberate act is about far more than destroying houses, its about destroying hope and a reminder that there is always a continued threat of violence, and you should never believe you are safe.  The checkpoints do the same job, they stand as constant threat of punishment and fear. 
One strand of hope, is the call to BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) and this is where you come in.  The boycott is arguably one of the last peaceful means of ending the occupation as Israel continue to build illegal settlements showing complete disregard for peace talks.  There are now many smartphone apps which will make this easier for you to check which brands and products are safe to buy!

 It worked in South Africa, and it can work for Palestine.  Here are just a few simple steps.

1.  Check your fresh fruit and veg

Unfortunately our supermarket shelves are full to the brim of Israeli produce - and even worse often produce from *illegal settlements (effectively stolen goods) which has been misleadingly labelled. 

Items in particular to watch out for are  - fresh herbs, avocados, exotic fruits and peppers.

2.  Dead Sea Products

You know when you're walking through a shopping centre and someone wants 'just a moment' of your time?  Well there is a reason that your gut feeling is to run for the hills.  'Kedem' and others sell products from the Dead Seam, making lucrative profits in a booming industry, and, you guessed it, at the expense of the Palestinians who are unable to do so due to the occupation.

Anything labelled 'Dead Sea' is likely to come from an Israeli company - however there are a handful of Jordanian ones.  Do your research before you buy and if in doubt, avoid!



3.  Coca Cola

Coca Cola own factories in the illegal settlements in the West Bank and as such are now a target for the boycott campaign. 

It's also extremely bad for your health (who remembers cleaning coins with it as a kid?) and if you're lucky enough to live in Scotland you know we have a far tastier teeth rotting alternative!

4.  Nestle

Pretty much one of the most evil organisations ever known to mankind and the most boycotted in the U.K.  The list of companies and brands connected to them is too long to go through but check it out yourself - you might be surprised! - http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/boycotts/boycottslist/nestleboycottprofile.aspx

What I cannot stress enough is to use your power as a consumer to make real change.  When you stop shopping somewhere or a buying a certain product, write on the company wall, Tweet them, send an email or speak directly to a member of staff. 

Recently a Palestinian friend said to me that if things continue as they are, 'in twenty years we will no longer be here' - and we simply cannot allow that to happen.  For the sake of the living, and for the respect of the dead, take these first small steps to freedom for Palestine, it is the least we can do.



*What are settlements
Israeli Settlements are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.  This means that they are illegal under international law and have been condemned over and over again around the world.  However this hasn't stopped Israel from building them.  There are currently around 500,000 settlers living in the West Bank, many of whom frequently harass and attack local Palestinians, including children.  Palestinians who dare to defend themselves will be dealt with by the Israeli authorities who have a less than desirable track record for justice.

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.