Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theater: Action Update

ACTION UPDATE

First: thank you to the hundreds of people from all over the world who responded to the Jenin Freedom Theatre’s call for assistance, whether by signing the protest statement, or by calling Israeli representatives both in the West Bank and in Washington, DC. 

You have demonstrated that people all over the world care about The Freedom Theatre and are willing to make their voices heard!

(Background: the Israeli army invaded The Freedom Theatre in the Jenin refugee camp on July 27, 2011 at 3:30 a.m., smashing or cracking most of its windows with large stones and arresting Adnan Naghnaghiye, the facilities manager and Bilaal Saadi, the Board chair, on the spot.  A few days later, Rami Hwaywel, a 20-year old drama student was stopped at a checkpoint, blindfolded and arrested.)

Adnan and Bilaal were released from detention on August 23, 2011, and are back with their much-relieved colleagues and families.  The pressure we collectively brought to bear may have been a crucial component of this outcome!

We are expecting Rami, the featured player in an upcoming Freedom Theatre production, to be released within days.

The assault against The Freedom Theatre, however, continues. At 2 a.m. on August 22, the Israeli army attacked The Freedom Theatre again, arresting Mohammad Eisht Naghnaghiye (Adnan’s brother) who is the Theatre’s security guard.  When Jacob Gough (the Theatre’s Acting Manager) arrived on the scene, the army forced him to strip at gunpoint.  As Gough reported, “they beat Mohammed before taking him away in handcuffs and then proceeded to ransack all three floors of his family home.  As the army left the area they fired live ammunition in an attempt to disperse the crowds of youth that had gathered and were throwing rocks.”

No charges have been made against Mohammad Eisht Naghnaghiye.

What you can do now: 

Please keep the pressure on to

1) release Mohammad

2) demand that the Israeli military leave The Freedom Theatre alone

Please call:

•    The District Commanding Officer (DCO) of the Jenin Region:  +972-2-970-3018.

•    Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren:  (202) 364-5500; e-mail: info@washington.mfa.gov.il

•    Sarit Arbell, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Israeli Embassy: (202) 364-5676; e-mail:  culture1@washington.mfa.gov.

 3) contribute funds to The Theatre’s legal defense needs, which are, as of now, $5,500 and climbing. 

Online donations: http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/support-donate-monthly.php

Checks: Small donations can be made payable to The Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, Inc.; for tax-deductible donations, please make checks payable to Grassroots International with “Jenin Freedom Theatre” on the memo line, and send to the address below.

Again, thank you for what you have already done to support The Freedom Theatre, and for your continued support in protecting this vital cultural institution in Palestine!

From all of us at Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theatre—
PO Box 592
New York, NY  10591
917-991-5653
friends@thefreedomtheatre.org