Brazilian organizations demand freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq

A large number of Brazilian progressive, left, Palestinian and solidarity organizations have come together to demand freedom for imprisoned Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, on his 80th day of hunger strike. Al-Qeeq, 33, has been held without charge or trial by the Israeli occupation since 21 November 2015, and on hunger strike since 25 November. His wife and lawyers have warned that he is “on the brink of death.” Held in HaEmek hospital in Afula, he has rejected all medical treatment until he is free in a Palestinian hospital. Among the signers is Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff, whose design below highlights Al-Qeeq’s strike:

Statement follows:

They will not silence our voices!
Immediate freedom for Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq!

Held in administrative detention by Israel since November 2015, Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq has been on hunger strike for 80 days, at risk of death. He is facing his third imprisonment at the age of 33.

Administrative detention – without charge, and renewed arbitrarily by Israel every six months – is often used to silence journalists. Currently, there are 17 imprisoned journalists, and 660 Palestinians held in administrative detention.

“Israel is sending a message to all Palestinian journalists,” Yousef Aljamal, researcher at the Center for Policy Studies and Development in Gaza, told Mintpress. “If you talk, we know how to silence you. Administrative detention is there.”

Since the start of the new Intifada (Palestinian uprising against the occupation) last October, this already common action by Israel has only grown. In total, there are almost 10,000 political prisoners, including women and children.

In addition to imprisoning Palestinian journalists, these professionals are subject to daily Israeli attacks. In the massacre in Gaza in 2014, 15 were murdered and broadcasting stations were bombed. Foreign journalists who denounced the genocidal attack were replaced by the media outlets where they worked or dismissed at Israeli request.

In the present Intifada, such methods used by Israel against freedom of speech and expression, in order to silence the outcries against apartheid and violations of the fundamental human rights of Palestinians, have been applied with intensity. Recently, the Israeli occupation destroyed and closed radio and television channels in occupied Palestine. In 2015, there were 574 attacks on these sites and 194 wounded journalists. Two cameramen were killed and Israel threatened to close 21 Palestinian news outlets. The criminalization of posts on social networks has also become customary. “The best treatment they might get from Israel is being tear-gassed,” Aljamal said. “The worst treatment is shooting them to death.”

The prolonged hunger strike of Al-Qeeq is an important rejection and denunciation of this situation. In protest against arbitrary detention and torture inflicted upon him in interrogations (common to all Palestinian political prisoners), Al-Qeeq has refused to consume even the most basic substances to stay alive, consuming only water. During the prolonged protest, Israel imposed forced treatment (intravenous nutrition) on him in the hospital, which violates the Geneva Conventions on the rights of political prisoners. Even having lost more than 20 kilos, Al-Qeeq tried to resist and was strapped to his hospital bed while a member of the Israeli medical team inserted a forced infusion of salt and vitamins. He was kept in this position for four days, during which he was pressured to end his hunger strike; he refused to give in.

Israel continues to reject granting his freedom. Meanwhile, there is an increase in Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike and protesting in solidarity with Al-Qeeq.

In the fight against the occupation of Palestine and for media democracy, organizations of Brazil and the world add their voices to demand immediate freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq and denounce the attacks on freedom of speech and expression by Israel.

End Administrative Detention in Israel!
Freedom for all Palestinian Political Prisoners!
Boycott Israel!

Philosophers stone – selected views from the boat http://philosophers-stone.co.uk