On the morning of the 13th of December, the Israeli army began attacking and ransacking The Freedom Theatre. They shot from inside the theatre, destroying the offices and knocking down a wall.
The army then went to the homes of Ahmed Tobasi and Mustafa Sheta, blindfolded, handcuffed and took them away.
That evening the army went to the home of Jamal Abu Joas severely beat him and then took him.
There are rumours that Ahmed Tobasi has been released but no one in his family has physically seen him and there is no proof. A family member who went to collect him in the location where it was said he was at, could not find him. Potentially these rumours have been spread to slow down the demands to release him.
We continue to ask people to demand the immediate release of Ahmed Tobasi, Mustafa Sheta and Jamal Abu Joas, as with the over 100+ people taken by the Israeli Army in the last two days.
As a 56-hour (11 am EET) invasion continues in Jenin Refugee Camp, and with continued electricity and internet cuts, communication remains difficult.
These attacks follow the murder of three members of The Freedom Theatre in the last few weeks including 17-year-old theatre participant Yamen Jarrar, 26-year-old Jehad Naghniyeh and 30-year-old Mohammed Matahen. In June 2023 15-year-old Sadeel Naghnaghia and 17-year-old Mahmoud Al-Sadi theatre youth participant, were also murdered.
Earlier in July The Freedom Theatre was damaged due to bombing, during a three-day invasion and Technician Adnan Torokman was detained for four days by the Israeli army.
For decades, Palestinian artists have been arbitrarily detained by Israel, sometimes for years, who also target and destroy cultural buildings, a war crime under international law. In the last few weeks in Gaza, an unprecedented number of writers, poets, theatremakers and journalists have been killed, including DR. Refaat Alareer, who was deliberately targeted and murdered.
We thank everyone in Palestine and worldwide who has worked tirelessly to demand Tobasi’s release. Our friends and allies continue to prove that collective action works.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
SHARE
Share on social media what is happening
Ask theatres, and cultural organisations to spread the word
Contact journalists
JOIN BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT & SANCTIONS
CULTURAL BOYCOTT: https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/bds-cultural-boycott
LEARN / READ / WATCH
Resources on Palestinian History, Culture, and Israeli Occupation:
A History Of Palestine Told Through Film https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/films-on-palestines-history
Cultural Resistance In Palestine https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/cultural-resistance
Timelines & Maps of Palestine https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/timeline-maps
Palestinian Prison Systems https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/prison-systems
DETAILS ON THE DETAINMENT OF AHMED TOBASI
On the night of the 12th December 2023, Tobasi heard soldiers knocking on the neighbours’ door. He got dressed, putting on a winter jacket, and getting himself ready because he was worried they would come to his house.
The next morning just after 9 am the Israelis began attacking and ransacking The Freedom Theatre. They shot from inside the theatre, destroying the offices and knocking down a wall. Tobasi’s home is opposite The Freedom Theatre.
At around 11:30 am, still fully dressed, and continuing to hear disruption, he went out and said, “Why are you making all this noise? You are terrifying the children.”
The Israeli Army took Tobasi and beat him on his legs. They made him take off his jacket putting him on the ground in the street in the cold and the rain.
Telling Tobasi he must stay there, the army then went into his home and broke everything. They smashed his computer screen, and his iPad, destroying anything they could, even taking the plants and throwing them on the ground.
After breaking everything in the house, the Israeli army took a towel from the home and blindfolded Tobasi. They then went and got Mohammed, Tobasi’s brother.
They handcuffed both of them and took them away. They were not wearing enough clothes for the cold and winter weather.
DETAILS ON THE DETAINMENT OF MUSTAFA SHETA
Mustafa Sheta, Producer of The Freedom Theatre, was forcefully taken by the Israeli Army from his home on the
morning of 13th December 2023.
The Israeli Army special forces broke into several houses in the neighbourhood where Mustafa lives with his family and brothers. The special occupation forces asked the neighbours for directions to Mustafa's house.
After finding his home, the army forced everyone to sit in the living room. When they finally identified Mustafa Sheta, the commander in charge, asked: "Did you do something?"
To which Mustafa responded: "I did not do anything."
Mustafa was blindfolded, his hands tied and he was taken away without further information.
DETAILS ON THE DETAINMENT OF JAMAL ABU JOAS
Jamal Abu Joas has been taken by the Israeli Army.
Jamal has recently graduated from The Freedom Theatre Performing Arts School where he is currently an acting trainer and also a freelance photographer.
The army invaded his house early this evening, searching and taking everything, including Jamal’s phone and camera. The soldiers have severely beaten him.
Comments