Legal rights group ADALAH to represent political prisoners arrested by Israeli military in Gaza boat raid

NEWS UPDATE

1 June 2010

Adalah to Represent Arab Political Leaders and Free Gaza Movement Activist Arrested from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla at Detention Hearings Today

Today, 1 June 2010, the Magistrates' Court in Ashkelon, Israel will hold a hearing at 13:30 pm to extend the detention of Sheikh Raed Salah, the Head of the Islamic Movement in Israel (north); Sheikh Hamad Abu Daabes, the Head of the Islamic Movement in Israel (south); Mr. Muhammed Zeidan, the Chairman of the High Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel; and Ms. Lubna Masarwa of the Free Gaza Movement and Al Quds University. These four individuals were arrested from the Marmara boat, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which was attacked by the Israeli navy yesterday. Adalah Attorneys Hassan Jabareen and Orna Kohn will represent them.

Contact:

International Media Coordinator, Gaby Rubin, gaby@adalah.org, 0528-332-430

Adalah (“Justice” in Arabic) is an independent human rights organization and legal center based in Israel. It works to promote and defend the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians living under occupation in the OPT before Israeli courts. Visit our website: www.adalah.org

Al-Jazeera condemns Israeli assault on its reporters covering Gaza aid boats

Al Jazeera Holds Israel Responsible for the Safety of its Staff Members on Board Gaza Aid Ships and Asks the Israeli Government for their Immediate Release

Doha, Qatar: May 31, 2010:  Al Jazeera is extremely concerned by the actions of Israeli armed forces who have detained Al Jazeera staff who were covering the humanitarian aid mission on the ships bound for Gaza. The ships were attacked by Israeli armed forces early Monday morning.  Al Jazeera Network has eight member of its staff on board including Abbas Nasser, Othman Battiri, Mohammed Vall, Ali Sabri, Andre Khalil, Jamal al Shayal, Waseema bin Saleh and Issam Zaatar. The Network holds the Israeli government responsible for the safety of its journalists and cameramen and asks the Israeli government to release them immediately.

Al Jazeera Network also calls upon all media organizations to act for the release of all journalists on board the ships and to ask for their freedom to practice their profession without pressure and harassment.

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About Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera started out more than thirteen years ago as the first independent Arabic news channel in the world dedicated to providing comprehensive television news and live debate for the Arab world. Al Jazeera was formally named the Al Jazeera Network in March 2006, transforming its operation into an international media corporation.  The Al Jazeera Network now consists of the flagship Al Jazeera Satellite (Arabic) channel, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Sport, Al Jazeera.net (the English and Arabic web sites), the Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Center, the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, Al Jazeera Mubasher (Live), and Al Jazeera Mobile.

You can visit our websites at: www.aljazeera.net> or www.aljazeera.net/english>

For further information please contact:

Christina Aivaliotis

Press.int@aljazeera.net>