STATEMENT FROM THE FREEDOM THEATRE, JENIN REFUGEE CAMP
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.
Tobasi has been released. He is suffering from leg and back pain where the Israeli Army beat him. We will update on his condition as soon as possible.
After over 60 hours the full-scale invasion by the Israeli Army has stopped. However invasions have been almost daily and we expect their return, and continue to be concerned for the safety of all
Upon being realised Tobasi said “They treated us like animals. They are trying to hurt us in any way they can, but it's important we stay strong”
We continue to ask people to demand the immediate release of Mustafa Sheta and Jamal Abu Joas, as with the over 100+ people taken by the Israeli Army in the last two days.
Mustafa Sheta’s family continues to have no more information and no idea where he is.
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.
The Freedom Theatres Chair Of The Board is also detained in administrative detention since September 2022 as is Muhammad Abu Sakha from the Palestinian Circus School who has been detained since 9/6\2023.
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. Israel continues to target and destroy buildings of cultural heritage, a war crime under international law.
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.
Jenin Refugee amp, 16th of December 2023
Comments