Zionist police forces blockade Issawiya, punish its people

The Zionist police on Wednesday continued for the second consecutive day to impose a tight blockade on Issawiya district in occupied Jerusalem and restrict the movement of the Palestinian residents.

During the last two days, the Israeli police and the intelligence personnel raided homes in Issawiya and handed Palestinian activists summonses for interrogation because of their participation in activities supporting hunger striker Samer Issawi, whose health critically declined and reached a life-threatening stage.

The Israeli police, at the behest of the intelligence, issued orders to exile member of the Issawiya defense committee Mohamed Abul-Hems for one week from the district and to fine him a total of 5,500 shekels until his trial on allegations of obstructing the mission of the Israeli intelligence in the district and his involvement in the solidarity campaign advocating the cause of hunger striker Samer Issawi.

Abul-Hems, in a press statement to the Palestinian information center (PIC), slammed the Israeli decision issued against him as unjust, racist and vindictive.

He said that the Israeli police men erected many barriers inside and around Issawiya district and embarked on obstructing the movement of the citizens and their vehicles.

He added that the Israeli police paralyzed traffic and public transportation, prevented kids from reaching their schools and searched their bags.

The activist affirmed that the Issawiya residents are exposed to an arbitrary oppressive campaign affecting their daily lives and isolating them from the rest of Jerusalem because of their solidarity with their compatriot Samer Issawi.

He appealed to human rights groups to visit Issawiya to witness its tragedy and called on the ambassadors and consuls of foreign countries to intervene to stop Israel’s repeated violations against the Issawiya people.