Issa Amro, coordinator for Youth Against Settlements and former researcher for the Israeli NGO B’Tselem (The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) was arrested on September 4th by the Palestinian Authority services for posting criticism on Facebook of the arrest of a Palestinian journalist by these same services.
This activist has long been harassed by the occupation authorities for the remarkable work he is doing in Hebron to raise awareness about the terrible consequences of the settlements and the reality of Israeli apartheid. He is currently charged with 18 counts by the Israeli "justice" system.
Last June, this persecution earned Issa Amro the support of 32 members of US Congress, who condemned Israel’s harassment of Amro through relentless and completely groundless accusations.
A leader in non-violent resistance to the occupation, Issa is the victim of an unacceptable attack on free speech – an attack that is condemned by numerous Palestinian NGOs, many of which are remarkably active in defending human rights. We extend complete solidarity from the AFPS (France Palestine Solidarity Association) and demand his immediate release.
Issa Amro’s place is on the ground, in the fight against the occupation, not in Palestinian prisons.
The AFPS Executive Board
Photo : Oren Ziv/Activestills.org