Khader Adnan Rearrested, Then Released

by Stephen Lendman

Israel's longstanding treatment of Khader Adnan is one of many examples of its viciousness.

His extraordinary courage in the face of Israeli brutality made him a national hero. One day after release following 55 painful hunger striking days for justice, Israeli forces rearrested him - another shocking display of racist persecution all too common against defenseless Palestinians under brutalizing occupation.

Adnan was unjustly imprisoned 10 previous times - held administratively uncharged and untried for political reasons. He committed no crimes.

On July 13, he was heading to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Ramadan's holiest night - Leilat al-Qadr. Israel maintains police state rules. Palestinian males aged 12 through 30 are denied entry into East Jerusalem.

Men over 30 to 50 need permits. So do Palestinian females aged 16 to 30. During last year's Leilat al-Qadr, Israeli forces brutally attacked Palestinians protesting Operation Protective Edge mass slaughter and destruction. Nine deaths and numerous arrests followed.

Adnan was detained for entering East Jerusalem without permit permission. He was held for questioning at Ofer detention center in Israel.

Its interrogations are notoriously brutal. Adnan endured long grueling hours - then taken to Beitunia west of Ramallah around 1:00 AM. From there he was driven to Arraba in southern Jenin, his home village.

On Tuesday, he said he visited four East Jerusalem homes before his arrest and detention -  including his lawyer Jawad Bolous, responsible for negotiating his release.

He and his wife wanted to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Islam's third holiest site) on Laylat al-Qadr night. It's when the Koran's first verses were revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Israel has no respect for Palestinian rights any time during the year - including special holy days and nights. Racist regimes operate this way.

Separately, a previous article discussed Israel's lawless arrest and imprisonment of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member/human rights champion Khalida Jarrar.

She's a woman of extraordinary courage and determination to fight for justice. In August 2014, Israel ordered her expelled from Ramallah to Jericho for six months - reduced to one month following an intense solidarity campaign, as well as international and diplomatic pressure on her behalf.

She defied Israel's order, stayed in her home, and said "it is the occupation (that) must leave our homeland."

She erected a protest tent outside the PLC's Ramallah headquarters. She lived and worked there.

Her daughter, Suha, calls her "an influential leader, feminist and activist. She speaks strongly and loudly against colonization and oppression."

"Her arrest is a reflection of Israel’s ongoing tactics to attack freedom of speech and silence those who speak freely against occupation and apartheid."

"She's a threat because she speaks the truth. That is why she was targeted before and continues to be targeted now."

On July 13, an Israeli military court hearing was held. Jarrar chairs the Addameer prisoner support group's board of directors. The organization reported the following:

"At the hearing today for Palestinian Legislative Council Member Khalida Jarrar, the defense team submitted preliminary arguments to cancel the charges."

"The defense argued concerning the legality of the occupation. Particularly, it argued that the occupation’s situation as continued and long-term deems it illegal."

"The defense also argued that Mrs. Khalida Jarrar is entitled to immunity as a Palestinian Legislative Council Member."

"The defense also argued that Palestine should be considered a sovereign state after the United Nations General Assembly decision to recognize it as such, and the subsequent joining of various international treaties, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."

"Therefore, the defense argued, Palestine should be regarded as a state under occupation, and not territory under the jurisdiction of the Oslo accords, which were meant to end within five years."

"The defense further argued that even if the Oslo accords were applicable, Israeli arrests in Area A are only to take place if the accused is believed to be committing illegal activities in the time of the arrest, which was not the case for Mrs. Jarrar, who was arrested in an overnight raid on her home of justice was also highly contested according to the defense, who argued that the protracted delays in bringing charges against Mrs. Jarrar and the vague dates given to her alleged activities severely affect the ability of the defendant in her defense."

"Furthermore, the defense argued that the arrest of Mrs. Jarrar was a revengeful reprisal for her refusal to comply with a forced residency assignment in September 2014, as indicated by military governor’s statement."

"Additionally, the defense pointed to the fact that Mrs. Jarrar was initially held under administrative detention, with the prosecution claiming in a hearing that there was not enough evidence to hold her under charges."

Her next hearing is scheduled for  August 2015. Witnesses are expected to testify.

They weren't informed about Monday's hearing as required. The prosecution has two weeks to respond to the defense team’s  arguments. Expect rubber-stamp rejection when they do.

Jarrar is held administratively uncharged and untried. Her detention can be renewed every six months - as often as Israeli wishes. She suffers from chronic medical issues. Treatment in Israel's gulag is notoriously appalling.

Palestinians struggling for justice face horrific Israeli persecution. Longstanding state terror aims to crush all legitimate resistance.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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