The Israeli Authorities Arrest One of Our Members

Israeli authorities arrested Mr. Murad Ismail Fathi Halayka (one of “Witnesses Towards Tolerance” members)from his place of residence in the city of Ramallah in Palestine on 30 -4 - 2009
According to Mr. Mohammed Halayka detainee's brother; the Israeli authorities gave no reason for the arrest, which makes the arrest an arbitrary act and incompatible with the principles of justice and human rights principles, "We had learned from (The Club of Prisoners) that Murad has been imprisoned without any trial, and until today we do not know anything about him" Mohammed Halayka added explaining that "Mr. Ben from Cross Red Contacted Us telling me that Murad was dissatisfied with this situation because he does not know why the arrest happened"

The lawyer for Mr. Murad Halayka that the investigation file of his client is in Almaskobh prison in Jerusalem and under investigation where the detainee is held. The detention has been extended more than once since the date of the arrest and the lawyer's visit wasn’t allowed as well. It is a further violation of human rights.

Mr. Murad Halayka (born in 1983 and his I.D number is 944870641) is a member of the Organization of Witnesses Towards Tolerance since 2006 and is dedicated to the promotion of tolerance and confrontation of the incitement to violence and extremism.

“Witnesses Towards Tolerance” thinks Mr. Halayka arrest is a crude and unwarranted attack on its peaceful principles bt targeting one of its peaceful and unarmed activists who hold only the ideas of tolerance and support everything that would spread the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood among people.
We are the Organization Witnesses Towards tolerance (The International Organization to Confront Extremism) as one of the British civil society organizations which extends its branches and activities to many countries of the world call upon the Israeli authorities for an immediate and unconditional release of Mr.Murad Halayka and any of the activists of other humanitarian organizations in Palestine. We also call upon the rest of human rights organizations and the International Red Cross and all those concerned to follow up the matter until the release of Mr. Halayka.

Dr. Munthir Al Kawthar
Chairman of

Witnesses Towards Tolerance

The International Organization to Confront Extremism
London
6-6-2009

At the same time the organization sent a letter to the Israeli authorities explaining about Mr. Halayka’s  peaceful ideas, position and work with Witnesses Towards Tolerance.

Here is a copy of the letter:

info@shuhood.com

Tuesday, 09 June 2009

To whom it my concern

Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing to you regarding the issue of Mr. Murad F. I. Alhalayka.

“Witnesses Towards Tolerance” The International Organization to Confront Extremism. Is a non-government organisation based in London. We have several branches in various countries over the word. Our branches are in the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq and many other countries. Our aims are to encourage the culture of tolerance, acceptance and moderateness, in order to establish a new culture away from extremism through and among societies. (There is more detailed information about the organization on its website;

 www.shuhood.org

We confirm that Mr. Murad F. I. Alhalayka is a member of  our organization since 2006.

Mr. Alhalayka has been very loyal to the ideas of peace and tolerance, and sufficiently active in believing and defending the goals of the organization to spread tolerance, standing for human rights and confronting extremism in peaceful means all of the time.

We kindly ask you to bear in mind all the above information while investigating his issue.

If you have any inquiries please do not hesitate contacting me.

Yours truly,

Dr. Munthir Alkewther

President of Witnesses Towards Tolerance

The International Organization to Confront Extremism