Avnery: The harassment of Abu Tir: Petty malice and political folly Peace with the Palestinians should and can include Hamas Abu Tir should not be a prisoner, but a negotiating partner

"The renewed detention of Palestinians Parliamentarian Muhammad Abu Tir is an act of harassment, petty malice and utter political folly, yet another example of the utter stupidity exhibited by the Netanyahu Government in every sphere of activity," says former Knesset Member Uri Avnery. "Abu Tir's sole crime is having stood as a candidate in democratic elections which were held with the approval of the Government of Israel and being duly elected by the residents of East Jerusalem to represent them in the Palestinian Parliament. For that he is being subjected for six years already to constant persecution and prolonged detentions, and was declared as an "illegal alien" in the city of Jerusalem where he was born and where his family had lived for centuries."

Avnery said that he had several times visited Abu Tir at his home, immediately after the Palestinian elections which Hamas won in 2006. "The things I heard from him and his fellow Palestinians Parliamentarians indicated that these are people who certainly can be included among Israel's negotiating partners - of course, if and when there will arise in the State of Israel a government which is seriously interested in making peace and is ready to go away from the Occupied Territories. Clearly, in order that peace between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine tske hold and endure, Hamas should be involved in this peace and in the Palestinian Government signing it. Muhammad Abu Tir should not be incarcerated in an Israeli prison, he and his friends could and should be among the partners in negotiations. "

Contact: Adam Keller, Gush Shalom Spokesperson 054-2340749

Photographs from a visit to Gush Shalom delegation Abu Tir's home in 2006 http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/he/galleries/abutir_07_06_06