IDF commander signs order to detain Palestinian lawmaker for 6 months

The prisoner rights’ group Addameer called on Israel to release Jarrar, characterizing her detention without trial as a violation of international law.

By ADAM RASGON
Updated: JULY 13, 2017 02:05
khalida jarrar 298.88 (photo credit: Shabtai Gold)
khalida jarrar 298.88
(photo credit: Shabtai Gold)
An IDF commander signed an order on Wednesday to detain Khalida Jarrar, a Palestinian lawmaker, for six months without trial, an IDF spokeswoman confirmed.
Jarrar, a senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – which Israel the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union consider a terrorist group – is slated to spend the next half year in prison unless a military court rejects the commander’s order at a hearing scheduled for July 17.
Security forces arrested Jarrar on July 2 in Ramallah for alleged increased involvement in promoting violence.
“She was arrested following her involvement in promoting terror activities through the PFLP,” the IDF said in a statement in early July.
Palestine Liberation Organization leader Saeb Erekat slammed Israel for arresting Jarrar, saying it was “a part of a premeditated and continued campaign” against the Palestinian leadership and people.
The prisoner rights’ group Addameer on Wednesday called on Israel to release Jarrar, characterizing her detention without trial as a violation of international law.
The IDF spokeswoman said that Jarrar was detained without trial because there “was no other way to prevent the danger posed by her.”
Jarrar was last imprisoned between April 2015 and June 2016, after being convicted of incitement to violence, membership in an illegal organization, participating in illegal protests and violating a travel ban.
Jarrar is one of eight Palestinian lawmakers being held without trial.