This morning Israel Defense Forces troops have raided into the West Bank city of Jericho and besieged its prison, which is holding Ahmed Saadat, the former leader of the PFLP as well as a number of his colleagues.

Israeli sources say that the raid is being carried out in order to snatch the prisoner to an Israeli jail. Witnesses are saying gunshots are firing inside the Jericho prison, while explosions are erupting. In the meanwhile a Palestinian security guard and a prisoner has been killed by IDF forces in clashes round and inside the prison. IDF bulldozers are trying to tear down the prison walls.

This unlawful action carried out by the Israeli army and government not only violates international law and human rights but also destroys the chances for a renewed peace process.

PNGO and the Palestinian civil society calls upon the international solidarity movements to raise its voice and put pressure on the Israeli government to immediately stop the Jericho raid and all its operations.

PNGO calls upon the international community to take immediate action to stop the Jericho atrocities committed by the Israeli military in the Palestinian Autonomous Area. Words of condemnation, as issued in the past, are not enough. PNGO urges world leaders, especially the representatives of the UN, the EU, Russia and the US, to actively stop Israeli violations of the internationally reached and officially endorsed agreements about the imprisonment in Jericho and stand to its commitments.

Ramallah, March 14, 2006

The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations’ Network (PNGO)