Why is the Israeli government so afraid of non-violent, human rights activists ? Why are Israeli police kidnapping a young American woman off the street fifteen minutes after she left a well-publicized hearing in an Israeli court ?
Thursday, 4 December 2003, 6:53 PM:
For Immediate Release.
ISM ACTIVIST ARRESTED BY UNDERCOVER IMMIGRATION POLICE AFTER HEARING
[Tel Aviv, Israel]
International Solidarity Movement volunteer Radhika Sainath, from Newport Beach, California, was this evening followed and formally detained by Israeli Immigration Police.
Ms. Sainath is in the process of suing the state of Israel for unlawful imprisonment, negligence, and breach of obligations after she was seized by Israeli soldiers in November 2002. Represented in her case against the state of Israel by Counsel Shamai Leibovitz, Ms. Sainath is seeking payment of 50,000NIS or approximately US $11,000.
Following the 4:45 PM conclusion of her scheduled court hearing in Tel Aviv, Ms. Sainath and six of her supporters boarded a bus from the courthouse. After a ten to fifteen-minute bus ride, upon arriving at their stop of Pinxker and Bograshov the group exited the bus.
Another passenger of the bus, whom the group of peace activists had assumed was simply a fellow commuter, also exited the bus and identified himself as Immigration Police. Two plainclothes detectives arrived on scene with a police van and the three police offices escorted Ms. Sainath inside the van. Before being placed inside, Ms. Sainath was prohibited from relaying her legal counsel’s contact information to supporters on scene.
As Ms. Sainath was loaded into the van, police were overheard telling her she was being formally detained for illegal entry; however, Ms. Sainath is currently in Israel with a valid Tourist Visa. Israeli and international supporters unsuccessfully attempted to question the police of Ms. Sainath’s status, instead being met with physical restraint and a refusal by the police to communicate her destination. Several supporters were forcefully shoved away and one was thrown against the van, although no injuries occurred.
Radhika Sainath is currently being held at the Holon Immigration Center under threat of deportation.
For more information contact:
Flo: 011 972 67 361 708
Lisa: 011 972 52 272 524
Radhika (from Jail) 011 972 65203 596
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led nonviolent initiative supported by International Peace Activists from all over the world. ISM aims towards ending the Israeli Occupation in Palestine through nonviolent means.
Tel: +97222774602 Fax: +972227744773
e-mail:
ism-alert@palsolidarity.org Web: www.palsolidarity.org
Friday, 5 December 2003. 12:54 AM.
ISM ACTIVIST TO FIGHT ILLEGAL DEPORTATION
[Tel Aviv, Israel]
Update on International Solidarity Movement volunteer Radhika Sainath of Newport Beach, California, who was arrested earlier today by undercover Israeli Immigration Police after being followed from her first court appearance in a lawsuit against the state of Israel.
At this time Ms. Sainath has been moved from the Holon Immigration Center to Ben Gurion International Airport, where she is being held in preparation for deportation.
Her counsel, Shamai Liebovitz, lodged a formal objection in the Tel Aviv Magistrate Court, where Ms. Sainath has been granted a 9:00 AM hearing in room 359.
Court documents demanding Ms. Sainath’s appearance at her morning hearing were delivered to Immigration officials at Ben Gurion International: although the Magistrate Court dispatched the documents specifically to Ben Gurion Immigration, officials there refused to sign for the documents claiming they “had no jurisdiction,” and that it was the “responsibility of Tel Aviv Immigration” to see that Ms. Sainath was available to appear in court.
It remains to be seen at this time whether Israeli Immigration officials will attempt to deport Ms. Sainath before her 9:00 AM hearing, without due process of law and in direct violation of court orders.
Flo: 011 972 67 361 708
Lisa: 011 972 52 272 524
Radhika (from Jail) 011 972 65203 596
ISM Media Office: 011 972 2 277 4602
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led nonviolent initiative supported by International Peace Activists from all over the world. ISM aims towards ending the Israeli Occupation in Palestine through nonviolent means.
Tel: +97222774602 Fax: +972227744773
e-mail:
ism-alert@palsolidarity.org Web: www.palsolidarity.org
Friday, 5 December 2003. 11:48 PM.
[Tel Aviv, Israel]
Update on International Solidarity Movement volunteer Radhika Sainath, who was arrested by Israeli Immigration Police Thursday evening
Following a jurisdictional change from Magistrate to District court this morning, the deportation order and charges of illegal entry pending against Ms. Sainath were dismissed.
Ms. Sainath remains in the custody of Israeli Immigration at Ben Gurion International Airport until such time as the NIS 5000 bail money can be raised and posted; Sunday at the earliest.
Following her release Ms. Sainath has been ordered to remain under house arrest with a friend in Israel until the time of her scheduled departure on 12 December.
For more information contact:
Flo: 011 972 67 361 708
Lisa: 011 972 52 272 524
Radhika (from Jail) 011 972 65203 596
ISM Media Office: 011 972 2 277 4602
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led nonviolent initiative supported by International Peace Activists from all over the world. ISM aims towards ending the Israeli Occupation in Palestine through nonviolent means.
Old Stories on Radhika Sainath and ISM:
Weaponless Warrior: Newport Beach's Radhika Sainath's War on Terrorism
http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/03/36/lost-washburn.php In West Bank, A Risky Quest for Peace: LA Times
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0421-03.htm