Samer Tariq Issawi

Samer Tariq Issawi (born December 16, 1979, in Issawiyeh, north east of Jerusalem) is a Palestinian prisoner in Israel.[1][2]

On 15 April 2002, Samer was arrested by the Israeli army in Ramallah as part of Operation Defensive Shield during the Second Intifada.[3] Samer, who was affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine,[1] allegedly manufactured and distributed pipe bombs and in several instances fired indiscriminately at Israeli civilians. He was convicted of membership in an illegal organization, possession of explosives, and attempted murder.[1]

Nearly 10 years later, in October 2011, Samer was released along with 1027 Palestinian prisoners as a result of an Egypt-brokered deal between Hamas and the Israeli government for the return of Gilad Shalit.[4] However, on 7 July 2012, he was re-arrested near for violating the terms of his release by leaving Jerusalem and entering the West Bank.[2][1] His lawyer Andre Rosenthal stated that he had been taking his car to be fixed at a garage in the West Bank.[5]

He was convicted of an 8-month sentence, which according to the terms of his release could include a reinstatement of the rest of his original 26-year sentence.[5] Issawi has been on a hunger strike since August, 2012.

On January 7, 2013, a protest, organized by the Palestinian activist Hala Numan, took place in Washington, D.C., in support of Issawi.[6]

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian state, sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and began a publicity campaign on 13 February 2013 to raise awareness of the condition of Issawi and three other prisoners of Israel engaged in a hunger strike to protest that they were being held in prison without being convicted.[7]

On April 22, 2013, it was announced that Samer was ending his hunger strike. A deal had been reached where Samer would serve eight months for violating the terms of his bail, and then be released to Jerusalem.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Greenwood, Phoebe (3 March 2013). "Palestinian hunger striker demands UK impose sanctions on Israel". The Guardian (London).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Israel offers to deport frail Palestinian prisoner". Associated Press. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  3. ↑ Issawi, Samer (3 March 2013). "We are fighting for all Palestinians". The Guardian (London).
  4. ↑ Lewis, Renee (13 February 2013). "Jailed Palestinian hunger striker faces death". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Israel sentences hunger-striking Palestinian". Al Jazeera.
  6. ↑ PressTV - DC protesters demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners
  7. ↑ "Abbas warns over Palestinian prisoner hunger strike". AFP. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  8. ↑ Sawafta, Ali (22 April 2013). "Palestinian prisoner gains deal from Israel to end eight-month fast". Reuters. Retrieved 22 April 2013.