Faisal Husseini, a militant Palestinian nationalist, was released Thursday from three months of administrative detention in Ramla prison on suspicion of subversive activities on behalf of El Fatah, the terrorist wing of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Husseini, who officially runs the Arab Studies Center in East Jerusalem, heads The Committee to Confront the Iron Fist, an organization of Arabs and Israeli Jews supportive of the Palestinian cause. He told a press conference here that he will continue to be active against the Israeli occupation of the administered territories.
He said his release from prison was a vindication. He was originally to be held for six months. The Supreme Court, acting on appeal, reduced the term by half. Husseini said this gave him an opportunity to defend himself in court. He said he used some of the evidence presented by the authorities against him to prove his innocence.
Administrative detention, a holdover from the British Mandate regime in Palestine, allows incarceration of persons on suspicion for a specific term without trial or formal charges. No charges were brought against Husseini. But security forces say he is a key PLO activist in the administered territories who relays orders from PLO headquarters abroad to local Arabs.
“I am going to fight for my people,” Husseini said. “It is my job to do what any other human being would do who is under occupation.” But he stressed he would work within the law.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
