On 17 August 2004, Adalah submitted a pre-petition to the Attorney General’s Office demanding that they issue an order to the authorities of the Israeli prisons in which political prisoners have opened hunger strikes, obligating them to return fluids and salt to the prisoners’ cells. After the announcement of the hunger strike, the prisons’ authorities entered the prisoners’ cells and removed all fluids, such as milk and fruit juice, and salt. The aim of these confiscations was to exert pressure upon the prisoners to abort their strike. Palestinian prisoners began hunger strikes on 15 August 2004. The number of hunger-striking political prisoners reached 2,200 prisoners on 18 August 2004. The prisoners’ strike is a protest against their poor daily living conditions. Read more about Adalah: "Fluids and salt must return to hunger-striking prisoners"
On August 16, 2004, Adalah submitted a petition to the Supreme Court demanding that the Court issue an order of injunction instructing the Israel Prison Authority (IPA) to allow the children of prisoners classified by the IPA as security prisoners to have physical contact with their parents during prison visits. The petition was submitted on behalf of ten children of “security” prisoners, the Prisoner Association and in Adalah’s own name, against the IPA. Read more about Adalah: "Allow children of prisoners contact with their parents"
Today, 21 July 2004, Adalah submitted a motion for injunction order to the Supreme Court requesting the temporary suspension of the Nationality and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order) – 2003 (the law) pending final ruling in the August 2003 petition against the law. The Knesset today extended the law for six more months by a majority vote of 60 to 29. The law prohibits the granting of any residency or citizenship status to Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territories who are married to Israeli citizens, thereby banning family unification. Read more about Israeli law splits Palestinian families apart
Adalah and the Hamoked filed a petition to the Supreme Court on 31 May 2004, to cancel a new order which conditions the issuance and extension of entry permits to the Gaza Strip for citizens and residents of Israel upon their commitment to remain in the Gaza Strip for three consecutive months. The petition was filed on behalf of four families who have been affected by the new order, against IDF Major General, Southern Command. The new order was recently issued with the intent of limiting the use of the Erez checkpoint. Read more about New Order Forcing Israeli Citizens Visiting Gaza Strip to Remain There for Three Months
Adalah, Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center For Human Rights, Habitat International Coalition, Palestinian Center for Human Rights and World Organisation Against Torture
22 May 2004
As the situation in Rafah and elsewhere in the Gaza Strip further deteriorates, local and international human rights organisations deplore the inaction of the international community.�The last two weeks have seen the devastation of residential areas in southern Gaza, as Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of homes, cut water and electricity lines, and left over 2,000 Palestinian refugees homeless.� In a chilling development, Israeli forces have demolished houses in which the residents who have not been given warning were still inside.� Scores of Palestinians have been killed during the last two weeks, including the killing of 8 Palestinians and injuring of 41 others during a peaceful demonstration on 19 May 2004. Read more about Human Rights groups: "No State is Above the Law"
On Sunday, 18 January 2004, an enlarged panel of 13 justices of the Supreme Court of Israel held a second hearing on petitions challenging the constitutionality of a new law that prohibits the granting of any residency or citizenship status to Palestinians from the Occupied Territories who are married to Israeli citizens. The new law affects thousands of families, comprised of tens of thousands of individuals. Seven petitions are currently pending before the Court against the “Nationality and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order) – 2003,” enacted by theKnesset on 31 July 2003. Read more about Supreme Court Holds Second Hearing on Petitions Against New Law Banning Family Unification
The Nazareth Magistrate Court delivered its decision on the preliminary arguments raised by Adalah on behalf of Member of Knesset (MK) Azmi Bishara to dismiss the indictment pending against him in the political speeches case. Read more about Israeli court decides not to dismiss indictment against Azmi Bishara
At a hearing on 9 November 2003, the Supreme Court of Israel issued an order nisi compelling the state to explain why the new ban on family unification law, which prohibits the granting of any residency or citizenship status to Palestinians from the Occupied Territories who are married to Israeli citizens, should not be declared null and void. Read more about Supreme Court of Israel orders State to respond to petitions challenging ban on family unification law
On Wednesday, 12 November 2003 at 12 p.m., the Nazareth Magistrate Court will deliver its decision on the preliminary arguments in Member of Knesset (MK) Azmi Bishara’s political speeches case. In this ruling, the Court will decide whether or not to dismiss the indictment currently pending against MK Bishara, the head of the National Democratic Assembly (NDA) political party. Read more about Israeli Court will decide in Azmi Bishara's political speeches case
Israel’s Supreme Court issued an interim order today compelling the government the explain its decision to amend the citizenship and prevent the unification of families by prohibiting the granting of residency or citizenship status to Palestinians who are married to Israeli citizens. Read more about Israel's Supreme Court orders state to explain amendment to citizenship law
