Israel has re-arrested a Palestinian man, Majd Barbar, after he had completed his twenty year sentence. Israeli forces stormed the home of Majd Barbar, while he was holding a celebration, and re-arrested him only one day after he was released from his 20 year sentence, firing tear gas and rubber bullets on guests.
Izzedin Barbar, Majd’s brother, told The New Arab’s Arabic-language service that the Israeli troops entered the family home and ordered the removal of all the banners and festive decorations celebrating Majd’s release.
The troops then came back in greater numbers and attacked the celebration attendees, using tear gas and rubber bullets and injuring twenty people, according to Izzedin Barbar.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said in a brief statement that it had treated 12 people for injuries caused by tear gas, rubber bullets, and beatings.
Majd Barbar was taken to the Russian Compound prison in southern Israel following his re-arrest. Mohammed Mahmoud, a Palestinian lawyer said that the Israeli army had extended his detention until Wednesday.
Israeli police often re-arrest freed Palestinian prisoners from East Jerusalem and hold them for a few days to prevent their families, friends and neighbours from celebrating their release and in a way to disrupt homecomings. Israeli police also ban families from holding any celebrations.
Majd Barbar, from Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, was arrested on March 30th, 2001, for resisting the Israeli occupation and sentenced to 20 years.
He was married and had two children when he was arrested, one of them, a daughter named Zeina, was only 15 days old at the time.
Israel detains Palestinians daily in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and is currently holding more than 4,000 Palestinians, including 140 children, in Israeli jails. Some Palestinians are in “administrative detention” without any charge.