The Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces arrested, on Monday 29 November 2021, the ex-prisoner and political activist Islambouli Bdeir, from Tulkarem in the West Bank, after being severely beaten before his daughter’s eyes.
In a short video widely shared on social media, Islambouli Bdeir appeared to be violently arrested and dragged outside his workplace in front of his 3-year-old daughter.
Mona Al-Nouri, Badir’s wife, affirmed that her husband was severely beaten till falling unconscious.
My 3-year-old daughter, Tala, was with her father during the attack, she added.
“She was shocked when she arrived home, and asked me: Is Daddy dead?” Mona quoted her daughter as saying, holding the PA forces responsible for Bdeir’s life.
Rights sources later affirmed that Bdeir was transferred to hospital after being released.
In August 2021, leading campaigner Nizar Banat died in custody a few hours after being arrested by PA forces.
The UN and the EU have recently expressed concern over the increase in politically motivated arrests by the Palestinian Authority over the past few months.
“Violence against peaceful human rights defenders, activists and protesters is unacceptable,” the EU said.
