Meeting at Red Cross Headquarters to discuss protection of Jerusalem MPs threatened with deportation

Officials from the Red Cross in Jerusalem and Gaza convened a meeting at the headquarters of the legislative council in the Gaza Strip to discuss ways to protect the Jerusalem deputies threatened with deportation. The meeting was attended by the leadership of the legislative council, the international campaign and officials of the Red Cross in Gaza and Jerusalem.

Present was Dr Ahmed Bahr, deputy leader of the legislative council; the deputy Mushir al-Misri, head of the international campaign for the release of the kidnapped deputies; the deputies Ismael al-Ashqar and Jameela al-Shanti alongside Ms Barbara Imtishad, director of the Red Cross in Jerusalem and Steven Peter John, director of the Red Cross in Gaza.

Dr. Bahr praised the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross for the Palestinian people including their efforts toward defending specific issues, such as that of Palestinian prisoners as well as the hosting the Jerusalem deputies at their headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. He urged the Red Cross to continue their support for just human rights in all parts of the world.

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Similarly and on behalf of the members of the international campaign for the release of the kidnapped deputies, the deputy Mushir al-Masri also praised the efforts of the Red Cross to protect the Jerusalem deputies who are representatives of the Palestinian people. Red Cross support is of particular significance given that since the election of these Arab-Israeli deputies, they have been subjected to a violation of their rights beginning with their abduction. The Israeli government has now decided to deport them in contravention of international conventions, particularly the Geneva Convention which prohibits the transfer of citizens from their places of abode.

Al-Masri explained that the international campaign had sent a letter to international destinations expressing appreciation for the role of the Red Cross in protecting the Jerusalem deputies and in the hope that this protection could continue despite the numerous pressures being exerted on them. Nevertheless, the position of their humanitarian and legal work ensures that they do not respond to these pressures. He added; “We hope that you work toward the return of the deputies to their families, homes and jobs under the dome of parliament. Should this step be completed, will be recorded as and achievement for the Red Cross.”

In turn Imtishad thanked the leadership of the legislative council and the international campaign for the meeting and confirmed the Red Cross’ involvement with the issue of the representatives. They have been corresponding with the deputies and discussing the legal framework for their protection since July.

She added; “We have offered to lend our support as an expression by the Red Cross of its rejection of this decision which falls outside of international and humanitarian law as well as the Geneva Convention.”

She ended her statement by saying; “We live as one family with the deputies and will not throw them out of the headquarters of the Red Cross. We are aware that they are isolated from their families and we hope to solve this problem as soon as possible.”

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