As we noted yesterday, American journalist Jared Malsin is being detained by Israeli authorities. But his girlfriend Faith Rowold, a volunteer for the Lutheran church in Jerusalem, has been deported. Amnesty International has welcomed the release from detention of Palestinian human rights activist Mohammed Othman–
but is concerned that the Israeli authorities have imposed conditions which will prevent him exercising his human rights.
… He was held without charge under an administrative detention order until his release on Wednesday after laying down a guarantee of 10,000 Israeli shekels (around US$2,700).
He is the second activist to be released by the Israeli authorities this week.
However, his liberty is conditional on him not travelling outside the West Bank for an unspecified length of time and reporting to the police immediately whenever they summon him for questioning.
… Mohammed Othman’s release follows that of Jamal Juma’, who was freed without conditions on Tuesday. A third human rights activist, Abdallah Abu Rahma, remains in detention.
All without benefit of trial in “the only democracy in the Middle East.”
Why should Mo’s release be conditional? HE WAS NEVER CHARGED WITH ANYTHING.
Oh, wait. He’s an activist for peace by peaceful means. Nevermind, it’s all clear now.
He’s an Arab. He doesn’t have to be charged with anything else.
I suspect the message to Othman is: show the slightest sign of activism and you’re back in jail.