Palestinian journalism student released from Israeli jail.

Student imprisoned for 15 months by Israeli security forces

Mays Abu Ghosh, a 22-year-old Palestinian Journalism student at Birzeit University, who was arrested in August 2019 , has now released by Israeli forces on Monday after 15 months of imprisonment. Abu Ghosh was allegedly charged with being a member of the Democratic Progressive Student Pole, a student bloc banned by Israeli military orders as a “terrorist organization”, and taking part in student activities against Israeli occupation.  

Abu Ghosh of the Qalandiya refugee camp in the illegally occupied West Bank city of Jenin was taken from Damon Prison to the Israeli military checkpoint at Jalameh, where she was released. She was also fined 2,000 shekels ($600). She is also booked with “communicating with an enemy” as she took part in a conference on the Palestinian right of return and contributing to an allegedly Hezbollah affiliated news agency.

“I want to tell everyone what happened with me during the interrogation and torture period. Not as something that has happened to me but for any Palestinian to know what to expect when Israel arrests them.” said Abu Ghosh after her release from the jail.According to several human rights groups, Abu Ghosh was tortured physically and psychologically as she suffered for more than a month at the notorious Maskobiyeh interrogation centre in Jerusalem. She was forced to listen to cries and scream of other prisoners undergoing interrogation, and faced repeated slaps to her face as Israeli soldiers shouted obscenities at her. Groups further added she was forced into several stress positions for extended hours and was threatened that she would go home either mentally broken or paralyzed.“The prison authorities threatened to isolate prisoners who continue their studies. We (with other prisoners) formed a small programme to study philosophy, Arabic literature, and poetry. We also had certain rituals we did together, like getting ready before a family visit.” said Abu Ghosh who nw wants to finish her studies and continue with her media training.

Abu Ghosh is not the first member of her family who has been targeted by Israel. Her older brother was killed by Israeli forces in January 2016 for allegedly carrying out a stabbing attack while in August 2019 her younger brother was arrested to pressure her into a confession. He ended up serving four months without charges or trial under administrative detention by Israel.