PRCS Medical Volunteers Face Assault and Arrest during their Humanitarian Duty

AlBireh-(19/6/2010): Israeli Occupation Forces arrested 5 medical volunteers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), while they were on duty in Ni’leen, where the weekly protest against the Wall occurs. Four volunteers were released after being interrogated, while the fifth is still under arrest.

The medical volunteers were trying to get to a press photographer, who got smothered by tear gas, when suddenly they were surrounded by a group of Israeli soldiers, who started yelling and cursing at them for no reason.

In the meantime, the leader of the medical volunteers’ team tried to explain the reason for their presence, as a humanitarian duty. However, the soldiers did not care for that and he was brutally beaten. They then threw the VHF radio on the floor, and smashed it with a big stone.

As a result of this the communication with the medical team was cut off. In addition, the Israeli soldiers confiscated the stretchers, the first aid kits, and personal belongings from the medical team.

Afterwards, Israeli soldiers took them away to "Benjamin” Police Station, near Jaba'a checkpoint, with hand cuffs and their eyes blind folded. Three of them were interrogated about the nature of their work.

Three of the volunteers were released at mid night on Friday (186), and the forth was released the next morning, while the fifth is still under arrest; as the Israelis claim that he attacked one of the officers. This false claim aims at providing a plea for assaulting and arresting the medical team.
However, it is clear in a video tape PRCS has, that was recorded by a reporter working for "B’Tselem" – an Israeli human rights institute- that these claims are far from reality.

PRCS is gravely concerned about this Israeli behavior, which forbids the medical teams from carrying on their humanitarian duty, and results in Israeli forces attacking and arresting PRCS medical volunteers. This behavior constitutes a flagrant violation of the International Humanitarian Law; which assures the responsibility of the occupying power to facilitate the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, including providing medical services to the injured and the sick.

Moreover, PRCS demands the Israeli Occupation Forces to immediately release the medical volunteer Jihad Mousa Hiazeh, who is still under arrest for false accusations, and also to respect PRCS’ mission and its staff and volunteers.