Isra-lies: End to Administrative Detention?

The lies spewed from the mouth of Israel should not be alien to the majority. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to believe any claims made by the Zionist controlled mass media and even more difficult to trust Israel to adhere to any agreements it makes.

The most recent lie emerging from the nest of deceit, is the apparent agreement to end the unjust administration detention policy, that permits authorities to detain a person with no charges brought against them, with detention subject to indefinite renewal.

Since this agreement however, rumours of Israel reneging on its promises have been circling, which have now emerged as facts.

Just two weeks after the agreement was signed, a reported 30 prisoners have had their detentions renewed, without the presentation of substantial evidence being produced against them. Furthermore, the arrangements for family visits for prisoners in Gaza are yet to be determined by Israeli officials.

"Israel has begun to violate the deal it signed with the prisoners, and within ten days after announcing the end of the strike, Israel renewed administrative detention orders for approximately 30 prisoners," Qaraqaa charged.

A case that has received much media attention is that of Mahmoud Sarsak, a Palestinian footballer who once played for the national team. Sarsak has been held without trial or charge for 3 years now, with continued renewal of his detention. As a last resort bid for justice, he, like many others who find they have no alternative, refuses to eat until he is released. Samer al-Barq is also on hunger strike in protest of his detention renewal on 21 May, despite Israel promising not to renew administrative detention unless ‘substantial evidence was found’.

This breach of the agreement simply proves that Israel’s supposed willingness to compromise and negotiate with the unvarying pleas of the Palestinian prisoners, was nothing more than a mere PR stunt. Perhaps Israel knew that the death of one of the prisoners on an extended hunger strike would spark mass condemnation; obviously detrimental to their fierce propaganda campaign to disguise themselves as a democracy, especially as the 64th Nakba was nearing.

From the beginning, the agreement signed was a suspicious affair. It was all too coincidental that a day before the 64th anniversary of the Nakba, an Egyptian official had mediated a deal between the prisoners and Israeli officials. Media sources claimed that the strikes had ceased due to an agreement being drawn up and signed by Israel that satisfied the demands of the strikers. This however, was untrue as 3 prisoners still continued an extended hunger strike.

The reality of the situation is that there needs to be pressure on Israel to adhere to the agreement. Mohammad Radwan, a representative from the Palestinian Legislative Council puts it well: “You can never have 100% confidence in the Israeli’s…we hope Israel will comply, but as Palestinians we have no more than Israel’s guarantee – it will require the international community to continue to apply pressure to force Israel to.” He also added that at the time of Israel signing the agreement, they were simultaneously renewing one prisoners administrative detention; hardly inspiring confidence in their promise to uphold the agreement.

The case of Mahmoud Sarsak has prompted many activists and sports personalities to speak out and apply pressure to Israel to release Sarsak. Organisations in solidarity with the Palestinian people gathered outside the headquarters of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the organisation representing the voice of all professional footballers in the world, FIFPro, Eric Cantona, Show Racism the Red Card and film director Ken Loach have all made statements expressing concern and applying pressure to Israel to release Mahmoud Sarsak.

Frustratingly though, none of these are predominantly Muslim organisations or voices. Where are the Muslims applying pressure? Why are CAF (Confederation of African Football), UAFA (Union of Arab Football Associations or UAEFA (United Arab Emirates Football Association) not applying pressure, or even voicing their opinions? Why is it that Muslims do not defend their own brothers who are oppressed?

The Ummah as a whole has a slave-like mentality, rendering it useless when it comes to defending themselves. We don’t stand up to the oppression of our own brothers and sisters, whereas non-Muslims like Eric Cantona do. How pathetic a situation do we find ourselves in, when we do not speak out to defend ourselves, yet others who have no obligation towards us do? It’s time we, like the group who gathered outside the headquarters of the FIGC, apply pressure to Muslim Associations in sports to apply pressure for the release of our brother Mahmoud Sarsak. It’s time we apply pressure to our MEPs to condemn Israel’s renege on the agreement signed.

You can write to you MEP demanding action by clicking on the following link.

A sample letter has been provided, so all you have to do is send it!