High Court to discuss deportation of peace activists

Two Spanish, Australian women arrested early Sunday in Ramallah, handed over to Oz unit members. American national, who was with them in apartment, says '10 soldiers broke in, demanded our passports and then informed the two that they were arrested for not having a valid visa'

Ali Waked |Published: 02.07.10 , 19:35

Two Spanish and Australian peace activists were arrested early Sunday after Israel Defense Forces soldiers raided the house they were staying in near the West Bank city of el-Bireh in the Ramallah area.

The two women were arrested on suspicion of staying in the area with an invalid visa. The two were taken to the Ofer Base and handed over to members of the Interior Ministry's Oz unit.

In the meantime, the two women petitioned the High Court of Justice, which decided to delay their deportation from Israel and scheduled an urgent discussion for Monday.

Ryan Olander, an International Solidarity Movement activist from the United States who shared an apartment with the two women and who was also arrested for the same allegations several weeks ago, told Ynet that "10 soldiers broke into the apartment, examined the passports and then informed Ariadna Jove Marti and Bridgette Chappell that they were under arrest on suspicion of not having a valid visa.

'Israeli attempt to crush resistance'

According to Olander, "The raid is a continuation of Israel's attempts to crush the popular resistance of the occupation. This is a cynical and despicable attempt to conceal the reality of the occupation and prevent the international community from having access to what is happening here."

"During the raid they checked our personal belongings and our computers. A Computer belonging to one of the female activists was confiscated, in addition to cameras and other equipment. During the entire process the soldiers did not explain what they were doing. This is illegal," said Olander.

Peace organizations view the two women's arrest as an Israeli attempt to hurt the popular struggle and its activists. "Even if their visa is no longer valid, this is not a reason to raid Ramallah," said peace activist Neta Golan, one of the founders of ISM.

Organization officials claim that members of the Oz unit took part in a Ramallah raid last month as well, during which they arrested a Czech peace activist.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office said in response, "According to the Central Command, IDF forces arrested in Ramallah women involved in illegal activity, including riots and jeopardizing IDF soldiers and public property. The arrest was carried out in accordance with IDF policy."