PSC+Condemns+Israeli+attack+on+prison

=Media Release: PSC condemns Israeli attack on prison=

//Issued by the Palestine Solidarity Committee – South Africa// //11:50pm, Tuesday, 14 March 2006//

The Palestine Solidarity Committee strenuously condemns the illegal and brutal attack by Israeli Occupation Forces on the Jericho prison in the West Bank, which resulted in the murder of two prisoners and the abduction of dozens of others, including the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmed Saadat.

Further, our condemnation extends to the cowardly and devious actions of the British and American monitors stationed at the prison who withdrew and, thus, allowed the Israeli attack to occur.

Saadat was arrested in 2002 by the Palestinian Authority (under Yasser Arafat) following demands to do so by the Israeli government. A Palestinian High Court subsequently cleared Saadat of the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister – Rehavam Zeevi – of which he had been accused by Israel. The PA, nevertheless, kept him in prison in deference to the Israelis, with the understanding that US and British monitors would remain at the prison.

The withdrawal of the monitors can only be seen as an action in cahoots with the Israeli intention to attack the prison.

The prison attack once again gives the lie to Israeli, US and British talk of a “peace process”. Clearly, the Israelis are not interested in peace, only in brutal violence and the total subjugation of the Palestinian people. How else can a missile attack against unarmed prisoners be interpreted? How else are we to understand the action of the Israeli Occupation Forces in stripping prisoners to their underwear and leading them away in public?

The blame for the violence that has resulted from this attack and the murders and abductions lies squarely at the door of the British, American and Israeli governments.

The PSC-South Africa, together with justice-loving people from around the world, demand the immediate return of Ahmed Saadat and the other prisoners who have been abducted by the Israelis. We also call on the United Nations and the International Court of Justice to take immediate action against the Israeli government for this unprovoked and illegal action.


 * //For more information, call://**
 * Salim – 082 802 5936**
 * Na’eem – 084 574 2674**