Description

Photo: Woroud Qasem - arabs48.com


by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

he Israeli authorities released, Thursday, detainee Woroud Qasem, from At-Teera, in the Southern Triangle Area in the 1948 territories, after imprisoning her for nearly six years on unfounded charges, including the claim that she planned a bombing in Ra’nana.

Some of the charges that were presented against her also include “attempting to harm the security of the state”.

Hundreds of residents gathered at the entrance of At-Teera to welcome the released detainee who told them that “her happiness for being free cannot be fully realized before the release of all Arab and Palestinian political prisoners”.

Qasem voiced an appeal to all political, social, legal and humanitarian institutions to highlight the suffering of Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel, and facing constant harassment, abuse and illegal measures.

She added that female detainees managed through constant struggle to oblige the
prison administration to block several surveillance cameras that violated their privacy.

Qasem was kidnapped by Israel in November of 2006 and served a six–year term; the charges filed against her included “carrying a 7 kilogram explosive belt operated by a cell phone, collaborating with the enemy, and being a member of a hostile group”.

Also on Thursday, Israel release detainee Nabil Hirzallah from Eiloot village, near Nazareth, after imprisoning him for 12 years.

Hirzallah was taken prisoner in 2001 and Israel claimed that he “transported a person who attempted to carry out a suicide bombing in Haifa”, in addition to claiming that “he obtained an unlicensed weapon”.

In related news, Israel released on Thursday detainee Bilal Thiab who carried out hunger-strike for 78 days demanding his release from Israeli prisons as he was held under illegal Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.

Thiab was welcomed by hundreds of residents in his village, Kufr Ra’ey, south of the northern Bank city of Jenin. Former Detainee Bilal Halahla, who was released earlier last June following an extended hunger strike, was amongst the first to welcome Thiab.