Israeli military holds med student without charge

On Monday, March 17th, Israeli soldiers operating in Bethlehem reportedly arrested several people while attempting to arrest someone they claim to be “a ‘wanted’ member of the Islamic Jihad,” and among the many bystanders picked up in this process was 24 year-old Medical Student Dina Tahseen Nimer Issa, according to a friend of Dina’s sibling.

Dina is currently being held by Israeli authorities without charges, merely for being “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said the family friend in an appeal to the public of the world to take action and pressure the Israeli government for her release.

Dina is a third-year med student at Abu Dis University in Jerusalem, and she has dual citizenship in Palestine and Serbia.

The Israeli authorities have not provided her family with information as to her whereabouts and condition, and they continue to hold her on no charges at all.

There is a possibility that Dina will be placed in “administrative detention,” the family friend said, and if this occurs then “she will be separated from her family, friends and education for months or longer.”

The family friend, whose name I have omitted because I don’t have his permission formally to use it, is calling for concerned people of conscience to contact the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC and demand that Dina be released immediately.

“With enough pressure, Israel will understand that the international community is aware of Dina and will not sit idly by as others like her are abducted and held without charge or trial,” he said.

Call to action:

“Please take a moment right now to contact the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC and demand Dina’s immediate release.”

Dina Tahseen Nimer Issa
Date of Birth: June 22nd, 1984
Palestinian ID# 411865736
Israeli Embassy telephone number: 202-364-5500
Israeli Embassy e-mail: press@washington.mfa.gov.il

Israeli Embassy
3514 International Dr. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008

Israeli Embassy website: http://www.israelemb.org/