Stop the removal of Palestinian artist to Apartheid Israel
Stop the removal of Palestinian artist to Apartheid Israel
This case is raising funds for its stretch target. Your pledge will be collected within the next 24-48 hours (and it only takes two minutes to pledge!)
Latest: March 6, 2024
On 12 March, the Tribunal will decide if I should be sent to apartheid Israel
Dear Supporters
My asylum appeal hearing has now been listed for 12 March. While the world is focussing on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, Israel is also intensifying its persecution of Palestin…
Read moreBefore telling my story I must start by explaining that I cannot share my name because I fear that I will be targeted and harassed.
I came to the UK when I was just 1 year old and have lived here almost my entire life with my mother, two brothers and three sisters. I am now 23 years old. I do not know of any life outside of the UK. I have always considered myself to be British. I only returned to Israel once when I was 14 years old and witnessed first hand how my people are denied freedom and equal rights in the apartheid state. For that short visit, the Home Office is trying to return me forever to Israel.
My previous solicitors dropped my case because they were nervous that I wanted to put the spotlight on Israeli apartheid as part of my asylum case. I have instructed new lawyers who are willing to fight for me to stay in the UK with my family and who are willing to properly interrogate the Israeli regime and its human rights abuses in the Tribunal.
I am now appealing the decision to refuse me asylum to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). I am arguing that I cannot be removed because I am a Palestinian and Palestinians must not be removed to Israel because they will suffer systematic domination and oppression in the form of apartheid.
Apartheid is a legal concept that was first applied to describe the systematic separation and divergent treatment of Black people as compared to white and south asian people in South Africa before the African National Congress (ANC) and Mandela came to power in 1994. My lawyers will argue that in Israel Jewish and non-Jewish people are systematically separated and treated differently. Just as we would not have forced a black person to live under South African apartheid before 1994, so it follows that no Palestinian should be forcibly removed to such an openly racist regime.
I am raising money to pay for the costs of bringing my case to the Tribunal. I have instructed Taher Gulamhussein and Fahad Ansari at Riverway Law to prepare the case as both of them have a background in work challenging oppression by the state of Israel and are not afraid to argue the case. I will also need funds for my barrister Franck Magennis at Garden Court Chambers and a report by a psychiatric expert as a result of my mental health problems
It is hoped that my case will not only let me stay with my family in the UK but it will help all Palestinians seeking asylum in the UK. In this case we are hoping to prove the truth - that Israel’s apartheid regime systematically dominates and oppresses Palestinians because they are not Jewish. A number of human rights organisations – including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Al Haq, and Btselem have called out Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians labelling Israel’s conduct as apartheid. This criticism has been echoed by international organisations such as the UN Independent Commission of Enquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Ms Francesca Albanese. However, UK courts and tribunals have so far been reluctant to make findings that acknowledge the existence and consequences of Israeli apartheid. I hope to change that.
The Tribunal has asked for us to set out our initial case by 14 April 2023 I urgently require funds in order for my lawyers to meet the deadline.
By paying towards this fundraiser and sharing this crowdfunding campaign with people who might support it, and by making your own financial contribution, you will be supporting not only me, but all those who take a principled stand against racism and oppression. In 1994 apartheid ended in South Africa followed by Nelson Mandela being proclaimed President. In 1997 he made clear that Israeli apartheid was equally abhorrent when he said:
The UN took a strong stand against apartheid; and over the years, an international consensus was built, which helped to bring an end to this iniquitous system. But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.
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A Palestinian the Home Office are trying to remove to Israel
March 6, 2024
On 12 March, the Tribunal will decide if I should be sent to apartheid Israel
Dear Supporters
My asylum appeal hearing has now been listed for 12 March. While the world is focussing on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, Israel is also intensifying its persecution of Palestinians both in the West Bank and within 1948 Palestine. Anyone who speaks out against the genocide is being arrested or detained. Even Jewish Israelis who are vocal against the actions of the Zionist state are being arrested and abused. If this is what is happening to Jewish Israelis you can only imagine what is happening to the Palestinians across the West Bank and within 1948 Palestine.
I have been attending demonstrations against the genocide here in the UK. I have also participated in peaceful protest aimed at closing down the factory of UAV Tactical Systems (a subsidiary of Elbit) in Leicester that manufactures and supplies lethal weapons to Israel. I refuse to be silenced while my people are being obliterated. If I were to be sent to Israel, I would carry on my activities, even though the Israeli government is seeking to clamp down on any dissent, particularly from Palestinians. I would no doubt expose myself to further persecution if I did that. An Israeli minister has openly declared that anyone waving a Palestinian flag should not continue to live on the face of the earth. I could remain silent but at what cost?
My legal team have been working tirelessly on my case preparing and lodging additional bundles of evidence to keep the Tribunal fully aware of the developing situation in Israel and updating their skeleton arguments accordingly. Sadly, we have not raised a fraction of the funds needed for this appeal.
My case is due to be heard next week and I humbly request that you donate whatever you can to assist not just me but any other Palestinian citizens of Israel who will benefit from a judgment that Israel is an apartheid state that persecutes its Palestinian citizens.
Thank you again for your support.
A Palestinian the Home Office are trying to remove to Israel
Oct. 9, 2023
My lawyers are working desperately hard to stop me being sent to Israel...
... Now more than ever before I need your help!
THANK YOU to everyone that has donated to this fundraiser so far and helped us to raise to over £5000.
The money you have donated has allowed my lawyers to complete the following work:
- Multiple meetings with me to take my full instructions
- Preparation of a 39-page witness statement for me
- Instructing a consultant psychiatrist to assess me and prepare a medico-legal report
- Collating relevant evidence into a bundle of over 2000 pages
- Instructing a specialist barrister to draft a lengthy appeal skeleton argument
My lawyers are now awaiting a response from the Home Office to the evidence and submissions made after which the immigration tribunal will list the case for a full hearing.
HOWEVER there is still more work to be done and the funds raised to date have been insufficient to cover our costs of the above.
Future work my lawyers anticipate includes
- Preparation of a reply to a Home Office response
- Preparation for the hearing
- A full day court hearing
- Travel expenses from London to Birmingham for the hearing
The situation for Palestinians living both in Israel and the Occupied Territories has never been worse and I am terrified of the prospect of being separated from my family and returned to Israel where to even fly the Palestinian flag could lead to my arrest.
As Israel embarks on yet another military campaign in Gaza that will kill thousands of innocent Palestinians, it continues to be important that the truth is spoken. This case is just one way in which the truth can be heard.
Please consider donating again so that our target can be met and please also continue to share with friends and families. Thank you again.
A Palestinian the Home Office are trying to remove to Israel
April 7, 2023
We've met our initial target of £3k... but there is still more to be done!
THANK YOU to everyone that has donated to this fundraiser so far and helped us meet the initial target of £3000 in less than 24 hours.
This means that my lawyers have been able to start initial work on the case.
HOWEVER there is still more work to be done.
My lawyers still need to reach a target of £15000 so that they can pay for barristers and expert reports including a Psychiatric report and a Country Expert report.
I also update you that the following organisations are now supporting the fundraiser: the IHRC (Islamic Human Rights Commission) and the Friends of Al Aqsa
In light of the recent events at the Masjid Al-Aqsa where the Israeli army and police have invaded and arrested hundreds of worshippers in the month of Ramadan, it is now more important than ever that the truth is spoken. This case is just one way in which the truth can be heard.
Please consider donating again so that the target can be met and please also continue to share with friends and families. Thank you again.
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