Budrus Residents Arrested for Public Speech

Budrus Residents Arrested for Public Speech

Budrus, Palestine.

Budrus is the prototypical sleepy little village. Here the olive trees date back as far as the Roman age. The life is simple and the people are welcoming. Yet Budrus lies mere meters from the determined path of the Israeli Apartheid Wall. Since November 11th Israeli bulldozers have been attempting to crash their way through millenia old olive groves for their mission of seperation. Since November 15th the people of Budrus have been peacefully resisting, bodily expressing their connection to this land.

Nasir Ahmed Hussein Murar, 30, has lived in Budrus his entire life. Nasir and his wife Mona have two children, Auus, 3, a boy, and Shams, 1, a girl. Nasir and his family live with his parents, both in their seventies. Today Nasir travelled to the Ofar Israeli Military Center near Ramallah.

On Thursday, January 1, 2004, Nasir gave a speech at a protest against the Israeli bulldozing of Budrus farmlands. He spoke of the iron will of resistence in the face of unstoppable Israeli destruction. He spoke of the love his people have for their land, for their agricultural connection to the trees. Nasir told those present that "you must be strong in order to destroy a wall! If they cut one tree we shall plant ten more!" He told those present to struggle against the wall until it falls.

Thursday night, at approximately 1:30 in the AM, Israeli soldiers arrived at Nasir's home. Nasir was away. Only his parents and family were present. After waiting inside the house for approximately an hour, the soldiers departed. They returned around 3:30 AM to deliver a military demand for Nasir's detention.

Today Nasir reported to Ofar, acceding to the military detention demand. It required him to report before a Captain Rizeq. The Israeli military may place Nasir under administrative detention for a period of up to six months with no appearance before a judge. This period is renewable indefinitely. Nasir's only offense is speaking out against injustice at a public demonstration. Free speech is not a reality of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation.

Nasir Ahmed Hussein Murar is thirty years old. His Israeli issued Palestinian Identification Number is 929915106. He is being held at the behest of Captian Rizeq, Ofar Military Center, responsible South Ramallah District. If the actions of the Israeli military outrage you, please let your displeasure be known. Contact the following authorities to express your outrage:

Meir Sheetrit, Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice, 29 Saleh al-Din Street Jerusalem, 91010 Israel Fax: +972 2 628 8618 E-Mail: sar@justice.gov.il

Mrs Orit Adato Commissioner, Israeli Prison Service Fax: +972 8 921 0649

Israeli Prison Service Spokesman Tel: +972 8 977 6806

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