5/16 Update on Americans detained in Israel

People who have been working hard to get the American detainees get out of Israel safely have said the following:

Trevor called this morning from the airport in Tel Aviv. He sounded okay. His cell phone only lasted a minute.

We have been told that Trevor is in the detention room in the airport and is taking his originally scheduled flight home, which leaves Israel early Friday morning! He has several connections to make, but he should arrive home Friday evening (US time).

The other three American male hunger strikers are being held through the weekend, and we don't know when they will be released. Kristen Schurr is expected to arrive in New York shortly. She believes she was released because the pressure from U.S. friends, family, and activists!

Please note, in addition to Nathan, Nathan and Tom (the remaining hunger strikers), Nauman and Robert are also still in prison may not be set free until next week (these two have been held since May 10th).

Nathan Musselman was taken for questioning by the Shin Bet security forces. They questioned him for an hour regarding his activities in the West Bank. He demanded that his lawyer be present but this was denied. In addition, this interrogation was done with the full knowledge and acceptance by American Embassy staff, and presumably American authorites
back in the States.

Nathan Musselman, along with his fellow internationals, were engaged in a humanitarian mission to help the starving people inside the Church of the Nativity. A mission undertaken due to the lack of intervention from their own governments. The detention of the internationals took place in Palestinian
Area A, an area where Israel has acknowledged it has no authority. Nathan has not been arrested, nor has he been charged, yet the Israeli and American authorities are holding him hostage with no access to his lawyer, and no ability to protest.

All of the internationals detained or arrested are hostages of a state that declares itself to be a democracy but the actions of Israel are a blatant
expression of the arrogance and disregard shown for so many years in respect of human and civil rights. America, too, prides itself as a democratic nation
yet it is clear that an American citizen cannot expect any support or assistance from their official representatives. This is not only unacceptable but a sinister development in the relationship between the
authorities of Israel and America. As an American held illegally one would expect the full weight of the American administration to intervene and act in the best interests of their citizens, however they are doing the reverse.

Nathan and his colleagues have been subject to an appalling catalogue of abuse of which the American government should be ashamed. It is a sad day
for democracy and humanity to know that America prefers to uphold the racist and discriminatory policies of a country over the basic premise of justice and freedom of individuals.

Please see other recent posts to indymedia for information about how to put pressure on the US and Israel to get our people out of there.