For More Information, Call:
Land and Water Establishment
Tel: (972) (2) 824559/812364
Fax: (972) (2) 811072
email: lawe@netvision.net.il
For Immediate Release:
17 August, 1995
EAST JERUSALEM NGOs OFFICES SEARCHED
2:30 PM on 17 August, the premises of Land and Water Establishment were visited and searched by Israeli police. A team of three; the leader Shlomo Harel, one photographer from Israeli intelligence, and a border guard, walked in unannounced and without a search warrant, took pictures of the office and the surroundings, and questioned the staff.
Several other offices were "visited" by the police throughout the day, including the JMCC, the Palestinian Hydrology Group, PECDAR and others. Nearly all were asked about their connections with the Palestinian Authority, and several had pictures taken of their office and vicinities.
Land and Water Establishment considers this type of threatening activity another step in the war waged by Israeli Mayor of Jerusalem Olmert against East Jerusalem institutions before the final negotiations. There have been several statements issued by Olmert's office threatening to close legitimate Palestinian NGOs in East Jerusalem, and LAWE considers these visits another signal for further oppressive action to come.
This harassment must end, and Palestinian NGOs must be able to perform their duties without restraint by the Israeli police. LAWE calls on all its supporters to express their opposition to these policies by contacting the offices of Prime Minister Rabin or Israeli Mayor Olmert.
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Land and Water Establishment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. Their activity concentrates on land confiscation, property destruction and environmental issues.