West Bank parliamentarians in solidarity vigil

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A number of parliamentarians from the West Bank have held a vigil in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) compound in Ramallah in solidarity with their Jerusalem colleagues who have been threatened with expulsion from their home city by the Israeli authorities. The vigil was organised by the Islamic bloc parliamentarians. Among the other political parties represented at the vigil were the Democratic Initiative, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the People’s Party, as well as several public figures including the Palestinian investor and entrepreneur Munib Al-Masri. Representatives of Fatah were not involved.

The Speaker of the Palestinian legislature, Dr Aziz Dweik, presented the director of the ICRC office in Ramallah with a letter of appreciation to the Red Cross for its support and the stance it has taken on this issue. Dr Dweik urged the organisation to continue to do whatever it can to end the oppressive policies of the Israeli occupation authorities, particularly the decision to expel the parliamentarians who took refuge in the Red Cross compound on 1st July. The Israeli authorities have since issued a warrant for their arrest while a judge has extended for another eight days the detention of one of their colleagues, Sheikh Muhammad Abu Tir. Israeli forces have surrounded the Red Cross compound in Ramallah and those inside fear that it will be raided at any time.

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MEMO Photographer: Ibtehal Mansour