David Parsons, a Canadian citizen who was arrested while doing human rights work in Hebron, has been released on bail from Israeli detention. An Israeli Interior Ministry official ordered his release on condition Parsons not participate in any “international activity” in Hebron. Parson’s lawyer Gaby Lasky views this as a victory and says that the police and military are using their authority to get rid of the international observers while doing nothing against the real perpetrators, the settlers. Parsons release increases his chance of winning the appeal against his deportation.
Parsons was arrested Jan. 19 by Israeli police in Tel Rumeida, and sent to Tel Aviv where he was awaiting deportation at Ben-Gurion Airport. David stated from the airport detention center that “during the last week, the incessant settler attacks on the Palestinian residents have increased dramatically. International observers insist that the Israeli Military and Police fulfill their responsibilities of protecting the Palestinians; however, they clearly resent this and have been doing everything to remove witnesses from the area.” David has been working with other Internationals and Palestinians in Tel Rumeida, trying to decrease settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the area. Among other things, they escort Palestinian children to and from school, thus preventing settlers from throwing stones and harassing them, as normally happens several times a week.
There has been a concerted effort by the Israeli Military and Police forces to remove International HRW’s from Tel Rumeida, Hebron. David was one of 4 internationals arrested on false premises in early November 2005 in Tel Rumeida. “I would like to express outrage and contempt for the behavior of the police,” were the words of Judge Rafi Strauss in his final statement, before releasing the four Human Rights Workers falsely accused of assaulting an Israeli soldier in Tel Rumeida. The police officers tried their hardest to bend the law in order to get the Human Rights Workers deported, but did not succeed in their quest at that time.
For more information please contact:
David – 0546 517 234 ISM & Tel Rumeida Project
Luna, Tel Rumeida Project – 054 557 3154 www.telrumeidaproject.org
ISM Media Office +972 2 297 1824 www.palsolidarity.org
ISM Media Office Mobile – 0575720754
Gabby Lasky 0544418988