CMEP Bulletin: Silencing Peace?
CMEP Responds: Palestinian Human Rights Activist Issa Amro Detained By PA
Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro was detained Monday, September 4, 2017, by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) after criticizing the PA for detaining a Palestinian journalist. CMEP responded with a Press Release calling on the PA to immediately release peace activist Issa Amro. CMEP’s Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon wrote “Palestinian Authority Suppresses Free Speech” for HuffPost. “As a Christian who cares deeply about peace, I believe we must lift up and laud the courageous voices of peace activists, like Issa Amro, who are committed to nonviolence. May Christians and faith leaders alike join together to call for Amro’s release while encouraging the efforts of others who so diligently pursue peace,” writes Rev. Dr. Cannon.
Israel and The Palestinian Authority Finally Agree — About Jailing Peace Activist Issa Amro [Forward]
According to the Forward, “When it comes to subjugating Palestinians, Israeli-Palestinian cooperation is alive and well. Nothing illustrates that better than the case of Issa Amro. Amro, an internationally acclaimed nonviolent activist in Hebron who has written for the Forward, has been arrested by Israel numerous times. He is currently awaiting trial before an Israeli military court on charges that Amnesty International calls “baseless and politically motivated.” But on Sunday, Amro was detained not by Israeli troops but by Palestinian ones. The sequence of events that led to his detention says a lot about the way Israel and the PA work together to deny Palestinians basic rights.”
Rights Groups Slam PA For Detaining Palestinian Activist [The Times of Israel]
“Leading rights groups called Tuesday for the release of a prominent Palestinian activist who was detained after criticizing the government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. … In July, Abbas clamped down on social media and news websites — the main outlets for debate and dissent in the West Bank — with a vaguely worded decree that critics say allows his government to jail anyone on charges of harming “national unity” or the ‘social fabric.’ Rights activists have said the edict, issued without prior public debate, is perhaps the most significant step yet by Abbas’ government to restrict freedom of expression in the areas it administers,” reports The Times of Israel.
Rep. Pocan Blasts Palestinian Authority For Arresting Amro [Jewish Insider]
“As one of the more outspoken Congressmen regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) spearheaded a June letter advocating on behalf of Palestinian activist Issa Amro who was charged by the Israeli military for obstructing soldiers. However, with the Palestinian Authority arresting Amro on Monday due to a Facebook post critiquing their crackdown on free speech, Congressman Pocan directed his ire towards the Palestinian Authority instead,” reports Jewish Insider.
Israel and The Palestinian Authority Seek To Silence the Same Media Outlet [Committee to Protect Journalists]
On September 5, the Committee to Protect Journalists said, “Israel should allow the al-Hurriya media network and its affiliates to resume work without fear of harassment, and the Palestinian Authority should release Ayman al-Qawasme, the chairman of the same media network, from its custody.”
Click here to read the full Churches for Middle East Peace Bulletin.