GUE/NGL condemns the arrest of Salah Hamouri, a Palestinian-French dual citizen and human rights advocate, in a pre-dawn raid on his home last Wednesday by the Israeli army. 

Hamouri, 32, was taken for interrogation in the infamous Moskobiyeh interrogation centre in occupied Jerusalem where his detention has been further extended. He is a former prisoner, released after spending seven years in Israeli jails and currently works for Addameer, a Palestinian NGO dedicated to supporting the rights of Palestinians in Israeli jails. 

GUE/NGL and French MEP Patrick Le Hyaric urged for the immediate release of Salah Hamouri: 

“Hamouri is at risk of being placed in so-called administrative detention that will allow for him to be held indefinitely without charge or due process. This is completely unacceptable.” 

“Hamouri has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, speaking at venues across France and on the main stage at Fête de l’Humanité and other international forums. We cannot allow for his voice to be silenced.” 

“I urge the French government and the EU to take immediate action against the continuous targeting of Salah Hamouri, which is part of the continued attack on Palestinian human rights defenders and civil society organisations”

GUE/NGL MEP Neoklis Sylikiotis, chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine (DPAL), called for an end to the impunity for these arrests: 

“Hamouri’s detention is part of a systematic policy by the Israeli authorities to clampdown on Palestinian human rights defenders peacefully resisting the occupation.” 

“Hamouri was arrested only days after passing the Palestinian bar examination that would help his work with Addameer in challenging Israel’s violations against Palestinian prisoners.” 

“The EU’s business as usual approach with Israel has fuelled the impunity that allows for these violations to persist,” Sylikiotis concluded.