Harrison Healy, Jerusalem
On February 8, Palestinian activist Mohammad Mansour made his 11th court appearance relating to "crimes" committed at a demonstration in 2004. For over a year-and-a-half, Mansour has been repeatedly required to appear before Judge Ron Alexander of the Israeli "peace" court in Jerusalem. He has been accused of throwing stones, encouraging others to throw stones and being involved in "illegal demonstrations" inside the West Bank.
Each time the judge has deferred the case. The prosecution has repeatedly asked for more time to gather evidence against Mansour, yet despite constant harassment they have not found any evidence to support their claims.
At Mansour's previous appearance on February 15, his court hearing was postponed until March 21. On his way home from Jerusalem, Mansour's bus was stopped and he was detained for an hour before receiving two invitations to visit Israeli intelligence. The last time Mansour declined such an invitation, intelligence officers went to his father's house and threatened him with arrest.
Mansour attended the interview but no-one spoke to him. They simply kept him waiting for several hours in a small room. Days before he was due to attend a second interview, 34-year-old Mansour suffered a heart attack.
Without reason, the court date was changed from March 21 to March 8. Attending was difficult for Mansour, as his Palestinian ID does not authorise him to be in Jerusalem, forcing him to avoid checkpoints in order to reach the court. The prosecution requested still more time and was granted a deferral until September 10.
[Harrison Healy is a member of the Australian socialist youth organisation Resistance, and is currently working with the ISM in Palestine. Visit his blog at From Green Left Weekly, March 15, 2006.
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