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Dear friends,
The past year began with a resonant reminder that torture is still with us – as is the bond of silence that surrounds it. In two outrageous and widely-reported decisions, Israel’s Attorney General closed investigative files into incidents involving severe abuse by security force personnel without indicting any of those involved. In May we looked on in horror as the reckless conduct of the Jerusalem Police dragged Israel into yet another bloody confrontation with the Gaza Strip, accompanied this time by a serious outbreak of hostilities and rage inside Israel. Despite the anxiety and tension that dominated this period, PCATI’s staff worked ceaselessly to expose the unprecedented violence used by the police against citizens– including during completely peaceful and lawful demonstrations.
On the other hand, we also scored some significant victories over the year, partially thanks to the formation of the first functioning government in four years. As part of the budget discussions, a sum of NIS 50 million was allocated to improve the inhumane conditions in which prisoners are held in transportation vehicles and detention facilities. For the first time, we held a conference that brought together leaders and grassroots activists from four minority groups in Israel that all suffer disproportionately from police violence: people with disabilities, citizens of Ethiopian origin, Haredim, and Bedouin from the Negev. The participants drafted joint demands for fair and equitable policing and planned coordinated advocacy actions with decision makers in Israel.
During 2021 we also held 13 training programs and public events; submitted 15 requests and principled petitions and 31 complaints concerning police violence; produced 27 positions papers, held meetings, and briefings with Members of Knesset and parliamentary staff, participated in Knesset committee meetings, posed parliamentary questions and conducted other policy and advocacy activities. This is a lot – but not enough. As long as torture and police violence are still routine in Israel, we will continue to intensify our activities.
Many goals lie ahead as 2022 begins. According to the work plan we have prepared, we anticipate a challenging year in PCATI’s activities. In order to continue the fight for human rights for everyone in interrogation rooms and at demonstrations, in prisons and behind the curtain of security confidentiality, we need you, too. I invite you all to make a donation to PCATI and to strengthen our activities.
Our work is based on the principle that torture distorts our human image as society, and prevents – rather than promotes – any chance of justice or security. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why it is so important that we keep on struggling.
With best wishes,
Tal Steiner
Executive Director
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Last week, during a demonstration by Haredim in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem, a water cannon was used against one demonstrator – as can be seen clearly in the photograph and in extensive documentation of the incident. But Internal Security Minister Bar-Lev apparently got his story mixed up: in an interview the next day, he chose to defend the violence police officers instead of protecting the public against police violence and disproportionate force.
Some people make the mistake of imagining that a water cannon emits a gentle flow of water that provides a mild method for dispersing demonstrations. In reality, this is a particularly violent and brutal tool that is used disproportionately against Haredim and Palestinians. Water cannons cause serious and protracted physical injuries. If the police officer who gave the order to use a water cannon was unable to subdue a single demonstrator and remove him from the protest, and instead chose to use such an excessive tool, he should be held to account.
As we reported before, in November we participated in a discussion in the Knesset Internal Security Committee concerning the scope of use of water cannons. All the participants agreed that this is a dangerous tool that should be used only when absolutely essential.
Photo: Haim Goldberg, Kikar Hashabat
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Last week PCATI sent an urgent letter to the State Prosecutor’s Office warning that we intend to submit a petition to Israel’s Supreme Court in the appeal we submitted on behalf of MK Ayman Odeh, chairperson of the Joint List. The appeal demands that the authorities investigate the police officers who shot Odeh in the head with a sponge-coated bullet during a demonstration against the demolition of the Negev village of Umm al-Hiran in 2017.
Instead of acting vigorously in accordance with the timeframe established in law and providing a prompt and substantive response, the Appeals Department has chosen to drag its feet and has refrained to decide on the appeal, some three years after it was submitted, five years after the incident, and despite the fact that it involves an elected public official.
The offenses attributed to the police officers who attacked MK Odeh are significant and emerge clearly from the investigative material in the file. There is not and cannot be any reason for such a long delay in responding to the appeal. Any further delay adds insult to injury and denies MK Odeh the opportunity to secure justice in this painful and grave incident that continues to constitute a bleeding wound for Israeli society.
The letter was written by Attorney Farah Bayadsi of PCATI’s Legal Department.
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According to the agreement that has been reached, hunger striker and administrative detainee Hisham Abu Hawash will end his strike after 141 days and will be released from detention in February. This is good news, but it is crucial to remember and to remind everyone that administrative detentions are just another form of abuse and create an appalling distortion of justice.
Unlike regular detainees, administrative detainees do not know what they are accused of and are denied the basic right to defend themselves. International law reserves this tool for exceptional and extreme cases, but in Israel its use against Palestinians has become routine. People are taken from their homes and held behind bars for months without any indictment.
According to the Palestinian organization Addameer, 1,595 administrative detention orders were issued in 2021, and some 500 administrative detainees are currently being held. This practice must end, and the universal right to due process must be respected – including a person’s right to know what they are accused of and to defending themselves.
PCATI stands in solidarity with administrative detainees and calls for justice for Hisham Abu Hawash.
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