Israel arrests Hamas official for failing to leave East Jerusalem
Mohammed Abu Tir, along with three other Hamas legislators, was ordered to leave Israel by July over his links with the militant organization.
By Liel Kyzer Tags: Israel news Hamas East JerusalemIsrael Police arrested Hamas official Mohammed Abu Tir on Wednesday for failing to comply with orders to leave his East Jerusalem home.
 |
Hamas' Mohammed Abu Tir at his East Jerusalem home after his release from an Israeli jail on Thursday, May 20, 2010. |
| Photo by: Tomer Appelbaum |
Abu Tir was arrested at the entrance to the city's southeastern Armon Hanatziv neighborhood, and taken for questioning at the Russian Compound police headquarters.
Police are expected to ask a court on Thursday to remand Abu Tir in custody.
In early June, Jerusalem police confiscated Abu Tir's Israeli identity card, along with those of three other Hamas legislators - Mohammed Totach, Khaled Abu Arafa, and Ahmed Atoun - giving them until July to leave Jerusalem.
All four have refused to give up their duties within the Hamas Legislative Council. Detectives from the Jerusalem District Police Central Unit took their identity cards after the High Court said it would not prevent the men's expulsion.
Israel had warned the four men in the past to renounce membership of Hamas or risk losing residency rights in East Jerusalem.
On Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced Israel's plan to expel the four Hamas politicians from Jerusalem for belonging to the Islamic militant group Hamas, saying the expulsion Bank would set a dangerous precedent and would create new obstacles for peace.
Israel has stripped thousands of Palestinians of their Jerusalem residency since capturing the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Six-Day War, citing procedural reasons.
However, human rights activists say revoking the residency of the four Hamas politicians would mark the first time Israel had against Arab residents of the city because of their political affiliation. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist group.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
What seems to be the problem?
As usual, the Israeli government ignores the facts and his status as a protected person under Geneva IV. He is not a citizen of Israel, he is under belligerent occupation. His home is in OCCUPIED East Jerusalem. Expelling a protected person is contrary to Geneva IV. But Israel, as usual ignores it obligations. Israel should be expelled as a treaty member since it displays nothing but contempt for its obligations. Every Israeli violation justifies the violations on the other side.
The Zionist Gestapo!
As long as Hamas refuses to allow any progress on the Gilad Shalit affair , I will close my eyes and say Israel- GO FOR IT
any other country would have arrested them as spies.
Forcing someone to live his homeland is a gross violation of human rights.
east jerusalem havent become the palestian caapital (yet) and it makes on problem about this subject: they residents have israeli citzenship, and can move freely inside Israel. Now, if of of the arab jerusalem residents belong to an organization openly agressive the israeli state, this person, in a reasonable and logical sense is a criminal, as he is part of a criminal organization inside the israeli law. And what about if this same organization is in declared state of war agaist the state? that would switch the status of the person from a simple criminal, to treason, in which many countries, including most western contries, would be punisheble by dead. Yes, the civil law of most western countries doesnt have the dead penalty, but concidering the state of war, the civil law isnt appliable to those cases, but marcial law, and yes, the guy would be shoot, with some luck, would get a life sentence. So this guy just not being allowed inside jerusalem isnt a really big deal, as a israeli citizen, the state could prosecute him in a really harsher standard.
These Hamas officials have pledged their loyalties to a militant terrorist organization dedicated to the overthrow of Israel. That exceeds by just a little the tolerances of 'democracy'. No country would permit this and, if they want to stay, they can rot in jail !
what is the problem ? any citizen of any country if is a member of enemy entity would lose its citizenship. Palestine and enemy are at war yet many Palestinians living in Israel as Israeli citizens, but there is a limit connection to Hamas is one
You say any citizen of any country would lose its citizenship under similar circumstances. I am not aware of any other country in which a native born person has lost their citizenship, except for Israel. What other countries are you talking about? Who has lost their citizenship? Do you also realize that Tir never even had citizenship, even though he was born in E. Jerusalem which Israel has claimed to annexed? What he is losing is his residency. But in any other country, he would have citizenship, since he was born where Israel unilaterally claims is part of their country. And where is he supposed to go? He is a native born resident of E. Jerusalem, and he has had all of his residency papers confiscated. Does Israel plan to fly him to the moon and then just leave him there?
Let me see, can these Arab citizens of the Jewish state seek protection from the Jewish court? Or how about from the Jewish constitution? The Zionist enterprise is one sad joke. Where can non-Jewish Israeli citizens of the Jewish state seek justice? Arabs can wake up tomorrow and find the IDF can revoke, demolish, expel and arrest with impunity. Is this Jewish democracy?
Hamas is an enemy of Israel so why they should live in Israel if they seek destruction of Israel. I hope you are not from USA. Cause idiots like you should live in Arab countries. You'll find all the support that you need. Hamas is holding Gilad for 4 years and Israel should be ok with Hamas representatives living in Israel. Israel shouldn't be tollerant with its enemies. Kill them all.
He's not Israeli, and is a member of an organization that israel is at war with. I have a feeling that your government wouldn't want someone like that living in it's capital also. Just so you know, Israli Arabs have more rights than they would in any other middle eastern country.
Israel has no constitution since it was established.The reasons are obvious: A country that was created on other's people's land can't have a constitution setting norms of policies, borders and human behaviour towards non Jews in the country.
same old stuff, thousands of years later. The palestinian's need to overthrow hamas and then once they are out everything can be peaceful.
when zionists bombed their synagogues
Its Israel that's the enemy not the other way around. Can't make silken purse out of sows ears. Can't legitimate nomadic est. European pagan converts land theft. If Israel has a right to 'kill its enemies' shouldn't the Palestinians whose land is being invaded and illegally appropriated have similar rights to 'kill their enemies'?
We hit the appeasement bar too high when we actually gave those terrorists a chance to leave Hamas and only if they fail to comply then, heavens, risk expulsion. The hell is wrong with us? Try them for being members of Hamas and give them the chair.
Hamas always has been, is and always will be a terrorist organization. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and as the "Palestinians" want their own State; they can live there: in the West Bank or Hamastan.
Meanwhile ... If they've lain down their arms....
Israel shouldn't be so generous to ENEMIES
The Father of Tir acts more like a Father of Terror and by proudly clinging onto his affiliation with the Hamas Legislative Council he wholeheartedly dedicates his life to the Hamas' Charter which legislates only death and destruction towards the Jewish State. Sorry Abu Terror, but you and your ilk are not welcome in the reborn Jewish State which stands against your religious and historical revisionism and militant usurpance of the area and you will have to leave.
East-Jerusalem is not a part of Israel, so if he should leave Israel, he already had. Residency in East-Jerusalem must not be connected with Israel citizenship, or if at all the other way around: If you leave Israel by going to East-Jerusalem, you'll lose your Israel citizenship.
According to the same Geneva Convention that demands ALL prisoners access to Red Cross (which Gilad Shalit has not had in 4 years), it claims that territory won in war remains with the victor. 1967 - 6 Day war East Jerusalem was won despite overwhelming odds.
Under international law, East Jerusalem is part of the West Bank and of the occupied Palestinian territory. Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem was illegal. This is why 100% of the foreign embassies ate located in Tel Aviv.
is only entitled to contact with family.
Now that Mr. Abu Tir is in jail, exchange him for Gilat.
i agree, it is long overdue. however, there is one name in the list that hamas will not take off and that is fatah man marwan barghouti. put him in the exchange and i think you have a deal with hamas
when israel vilifies people they becomes heros
and what about the rest of Israel, I would hope they'll be expelled from that too. Hamas members and their supporters can not stay here. they need to go back to Jordan/Palestine.
back to Europe? The rhetoric here sounds like it came from Göring.
The Hamas official represents the ELECTED official of the Palestinean people. Last I looked illegal settlements and occupations are not sanctioned by any international law. As to the mayor and council of Jerusalem. It should be an international city under the auspices of the UN as a cultural center for the world religions represented there and not as an annexation by the Israeli state to make it into some sort of exclusive enclave of judaism. In addition the whole idea of this taking of homes of a tourist center is beyond belief. It reminds me of a certain auto company who got a US city to take a WWII veterans home to make way for a parking lot. It's not right and never will be right for the state, any state to act in that manner.
Wrong! Hammas won elections in Gaza only
Sorry, but the parliament is in Jerusalem. How was Jerusalem treated when under Muslim control for centuries? Like a sleepy, disease-ridden backwater. What did Jordan do when it controlled East Jerusalem? Build a royal palace... So far only Israel has actually developed the city.
Marvelous news, keep them out of Israel. Keep an eye on the 'followers' as well.
Another attempt to diverge the talks before Bibi's meeting with Obama.
if you dont leave voluntarily, we will arrest you. is that not what the Jews were told in Europe 70 years ago?
The Jews of Europe did not base their existence on the demise of Europe and the murder of it's men, women and children like Hamas has. You should more correctly equate Hamas with the Nazis, not their innocent victims.
They were told to get on a train or maybe were shot after being sent to the "other" line before those fit for labour were jammed in.
what kind of democracy apartheid israel is? Palestinians are now Strangers in their own home lands. Shame on israeli way of democracy!!
The Jordanians and other Arab countries expelled them first and wilfully created the Palestinian problem by denying them their rightful citizenship and confiscating their passports. If you advocated the violent demise of Denmark through terrorism, you would feel lucky to be given the chance to leave. You would be tried and thrown in jail. Most "democratic" countries are based on the rule of law. So is Israel
hamas not terrorist just terrorist israel
After much argument with Dubya Bush and others, Israel decided to allow Abu-Tir and colleagues to participate in the 2006 elections of the PA. They, and their party Hamas, won the elections and became Palestinian MPs. Now Israel says that if they don't resign from their parliament, they will be moved out of their constituency (East Jerusalem). So who will represent the East Jerusalemites? Of course this is ridiculous, and unfair. I suppose the Occupying Power is allowed to do things that appear ridiculous, but I am not sure this is contrary to any of the Laws of War.
"I suppose the Occupying Power is allowed to do things that appear ridiculous, but I am not sure this is contrary to any of the Laws of War." The occupying power is not entitled to apply its own domestic laws to occupied territory, Logios. Doing that *IS* contrary to the Laws of War.
Why should you be able to evict people from land occupied by you because they do not like you. Is that not in conflict with the at least the spirit of the 4th Geneva convention.
I guess they want to die as Martyrs in jail. Or maybe they are crazy? Certainly not normal to adhere to a terrorist group Hamas which wants to destroy Israel.
palestinians have nothing to lose but their solidarity and integrity. compromise on that and they truly have nothing left.
HAHA I LIVE IN THE USA AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT OUR GOVERMENT WOULD DO TO SOMEONE FROM HAMAS OR AL QUAEDA, THEY'D BE SHIPPED TO GITMO AND NEVER GET OUT. ISRAEL SHOULD JUST ARREST THEM AND PUT THEM AWAY FOREVER SO THE CITIZENS CAN BE SAFE
The US was born out of rebellion. A war against an 'oppressive' foreign government. You should probably learn your own history before trying to dictate someone else's future or their struggle for freedom.
The annexation of East Jerusalem was declared ILLEGAL by UNSC Resolution 252 (1968)of 21 May 1968 UNSC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 UNSC Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969, UNSC Resolution 298 (1971) of 25 September 1971, UNSC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980, UNSC Resolution 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980 And yet, Israel defies the International Community.
Slight difference seems to have escaped your attention. The date Jerusalem was legally annexed to Israel... what was it?
You cannot be prosecuted for mere advocacy of anything other that an imminent call to violence, as in shouting to an agitated crowd, "Lets kill the cops." Everything else is protected speech under our First Amendment. A U.S. citizen cannot be deported for any reason. (You can be extradited, but that's different.)
You think US government wont' do anything thing if I say that i support destruction of USA in any manners? You think USA would tolarate me saying that "Whites leave USA it's Indian Land and Mexian Land"? He is an enemy within the state. CANCER
Unless you gave money/arms/logistics to an enemy entity. It might not be smart for you to do professionally or socially, but it isn't illegal.
The situation cannot compare. Israel occupies the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem. Deporting the population odf the occupied territory is a gross violation of the Geneva conventions.
The whole of Palestine which includes Jordan was granted as a Jewish homeland to the Jews by the League of Nations in the Mandate under international law. All the major powers agreed including the USA which passed a law stating such in both houses. Britain acted against the written terms of the mandate by unilaterally ceding Trans-Jordan to the Hashemite princes in a back room deal for oil which included the French. The Mandate is irrevocable under international law. Any subsequent UN Resolutions are therefore non-binding.
Does Israel demand Kahane Chai "illegal" organization( not only militants but terroristic) members leave the Country??
Democracy is just for jews. it is shameful.
Or anywhere else in our land.
Your greed in conquering the whole world is an enlightened version of acceptance of ones neighbors.
you land is in the"cold West". go and live their and let Palestine for Palestinians. Enough is enough!
Whatever you think of Hamas, Israel/Palestine is their land as well, not because an old book told them, but because they and their parents were born there. I am not saying Hamas are a bunch of sweat guys, what I am saying is it looks bad to expel Palestinians from the ancestral homes. Put him in prison but don't expel him.
my zionist tendencies promote greed? how about we defeated the arabs 7 times and won. and the arabs are the only group of history to want their land back after they lost a war, which they started!
if the situation was reversed.Hamas charter calls for Israels TOTAL DESTRUCTION.They are non negotiable and only know violence.They just destroyed a teenage UN summer camp in Gaza for their own children,probably as it was not brainwashing them with hate.I personally didn't agree with the 'aid blockade' which harms residents of Gaza,but it was obviously meant to 'wear Hamas down' which it has failed to do,as dissenters may be shot.We left gaza completely and were rewarded by thousands of rockets,so we tried to fight Hamas,who hid within civilian places.We had another rocket last night.It is the intention to kill or do harm even if the rockets are not very accurate.17 seconds warning for residents of Sderot.. All usable stuff left by Israel was destroyed by Hamas.They are more interested in getting at Israel,than helping the gaza citizens.and refused the aid from Ashdod,They demolished houses which had no permits.I dont agree with this in Gaza or in Jerusalem.All hamas know is violence.If they wanted to live in peace they would recognise Israels right to be there.So what is the point of having these people living amongst us? They cant have it both ways.Renounce the charter,and all would be well.
When a thief enters you house and steal your property, you only have to overtake the thief and take back the property that he stole. If he resists and tries to injure you, then you fight back and self-defense being what it is you may have to kill him. So it is with the muslims who stole Israel from the Jews.
This is another STUPID ideological act by Netanyahoo/Lieberman, etc. As the hatred rises in the Palestinian community, it makes it more and more likely to ignite the next fire...Current Israeli leaders are AUTISTIC in regard to helping move towards peace.
How about the jews still demand "their" contry after 2000 years when they lost the war
Well that is pretty superficial. Hamas is a political organization sworn to the destruction of Israel and sworn to its destruction through violence. This bent of Hamas is not just constituted by words but by deeds that have targeted not only Israeli military but the citizens of Israel. Affiliation with these groups is affiliation with an enemy of Israel which Israel is at war with. In most democracies, this is a very, very serious offence and dealt with much more harshly than by mere expulsion. This is treason and in many countries, no doubt in most, if not all Muslim countries, this is a wrong which is punishable by death. Expulsion is an enlightened reaction to the so-called wrong of "political affiliation".
Israel was born from violence. And East Jerusalem is not part of Israel. Once she realizes the truth, peace won't seem so elusive. The alternative is quite simple by creating one state for all.
very well said, very well said.
Also the very same words the white South Africans spoke to justify jailing and killing the African National Congress.
Justice in Israel ? My foot.
Just wondering how your country, wherever you are from handles people that are hell bent on your death and destruction, do they take away their identity cards and expel them or do they do like most other countries and throw them in jail for the rest of their god forsaken life or make them disappear forever in the gulag?
It's like the US expelling 4 politicians who live in Toronto. Besides, if you really must know how the US would handle the situation, these 4 leaders are part of Hamas' legislative council. We in the US do not expel people based on political affiliation. If this were the case millions of republicans or democrats would be living in Canada or Mexico!!!