PRESS RELEASE
The Israeli Occupation Forces Make their First Arrest of a Palestinian Citizen after his Arrival at Gaza Airport.
Ref.,: 3/99
Date: 10th January, 1999
On 9th January 1999, the Israeli Occupation Forces arrested the student Magdi Nadi Abu Sidu, resident of Gaza, born in 1975 after his arrival at Gaza International airport, where he was arrested at the Rafah crossing (where the security checks take place).
According to information documented by PCHR for 1998, the Israeli Occupation Forces arrested more than 50 Gazans while they were on their way to or from Gaza at the crossings. Of these, 38 were arrested at Rafah crossing, 3 at El-Karama crossing with Jordan and another 11 were arrested at Ben Gurion airport.
Abu Sidu is the first Palestinian to be arrested after his arrival at Gaza International airport, which was opened on 14th December 1998. These incidents are another means of violating the freedom of movement of Palestinians to and from the Occupied Territories. It is worth mentioning that the Israeli occupation has recently escalated its policy of bad treatment of Palestinians at the crossings where Israeli soldiers have control. Many citizens are arrested and detained at detention centres inside Israel where they are subjected to torture and ill-treatment. PCHR believes that the recent measures will have an impact on the increasing number of Palestinians who are being arrested at the crossings, especially in the aftermath of the opening of the airport.
PCHR strongly condemns the arbitrary measures that are perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians who should be protected by the IVth Geneva Convention of 1949. Moreover, PCHR demands that the international community puts pressure on the Israeli government to fulfill its obligations towards the Palestinian people, especially the immediate release of Palestinian and Arab prisoners inside its prisons.
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