Israel detains activist Munther Amira for four months as campaign against West Bank Palestinians ramps up

A prominent Palestinian activist against the Israeli occupation has been given four months of administrative detention by an Israeli military court on Sunday.

An Israeli force arrested Munther Amira on December 18, 2023, from his home in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, brutally assaulting his son and brother in the process, according to his relatives. He is now being held in the Israeli-run Ofer military prison near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. 

"We do not recognise the court nor its ruling. He's being held there illegally as far we're concerned", Munther's brother, Kareem Amira, told The New Arab. 

The fifty-year old activist previously served a six-month administrative sentence in 2018.  

Amira is the chairman of the board of directors of the Aida Youth Center. He is also a leader of a non-violent popular committee against Israel's infamous "separation wall" which cuts through the occupied West Bank.

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) said that Israel's arrest of Amira is a violation of fundamental human rights and principles of justice.

"Munther Amira has consistently stood for the rights and dignity of children and adolescents. Munther Amira's voice is a voice for justice, peace, and human dignity. In his defence, we raise our voices in the face of injustice", the IFSW said in a statement. 

Administrative detention is the indefinite imprisonment of an individual without charge or evidence. Israel employs this notorious practice mainly against Palestinians. At least 2070 Palestinians are currently under administrative detention. 

Israel, since October 7, has detained or questioned over 4900 Palestinians, according to Palestinian human rights organisations. 

مصادر محلية: قوات الاحتلال تعتقل الناشط منذر عميرة بعد اقتحام منزله في مخيم عايدة شمالي بيت لحم. pic.twitter.com/duPr5beLVo

— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) December 18, 2023

Former Palestinian legislative council member Khalida Jarrar was also detained by the Israeli forces late last month. According to Addameer, a prisoners' rights organisation, Jarrar has not been charged yet. 

In the early days of the Gaza war, Israel directed its campaign in the West Bank against Hamas and Islamic Jihad members. It has broadened the campaign since to include activists from across the political spectrum. 

Former Palestinian minister Issa Ja'abri and the head of the disbanded Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr Aziz Dweik were detained last October. Both are members of Hamas. 

At least six Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli prisons since October of last year, raising concerns about torture and abuse.