my first day in Palestine

To many Americans the Israeli/Palestinian issue is a complex and
unsolvable one, plagued with propaganda from both sides and shrouded
in the interests of global politics. But the everyday reality of many
Palestinians is one that rarely has a contributory voice towards
American opinion of the issue.
Yesterday, my first day in Palestine, I ment Lutfiya el-Sharif, her
husband and her 12 year old daughter in Ramallah. Lutfiya's face is
dark with sorrow, even as she brings us tea and snacks, even as her
daughter showers her with affection, even as the conversation leans
away from topic of the intifada. But when the topic of discussion is
her son Majed Mahmoud Zyadeh, her face is visibly controlled, as if
making the subject a matter of fact is the only way for her to speak
of him. Majed has been imprisoned for 8 months at Ashqeloon Prison.
He was originally detained for shooting into the air with an ancient
rifle after a tank following the murder of his best friend by Israeli
soldiers.
The only charge is the nondescript "Administrative Detention" which
means there are no charges, no opportunity for a lawyer to defend him
and no term. All of this is fairly common and certainly not
noteworthy here, but what is of grave concern is Majed's medical
condition. Though he has suffered with chronic mastoiditis bilateral
(very bad ear infections) since he was 4, regular treatment has kept
the condition in check. While in prison he has been allowed no
medical treatment other then aspirin, the condition has worsened and
now is quite grave. Majed is completely deaf in one ear and is faced
with possible labrinthytis causing total deafness, facial nerve
paralysis, menengitis, and brain abscess as a result of this lack of
treatment. (see http://www.mandela-palestine.org/ for more details)

Majed's case is well documented medically and his needs are
clear. Through the efforts of his mother several members of the
French parliament have agreed to assist in his receiving the care he
needs. Lutfeya has no expectation of her son's release; only of his
receiving the care he needs and has the right to by international
law. Regardless, the Israeli government will not allow him out of
prison for treatment, they have not even replied to her. Having
exhausted the resources available to her with no success Lutfiya
knows that the fate of her son rests in the hands of distant
Americans; she has asked that we encourage Americans who are
concerned about human rights issues in Palestine to write to the
Israelis to convince them to allow treatment for her son. There is
more information about this case at http://www.mandela-palestine.org/
where Majed is the prisoner of the month.
Please consider sending a short letter to any or all of the following
addresses:
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Office of Prime Minister
3 Kaplen Street, PO Box 187
Kiryat Ben-Gurion
Jerusalem 91919, Israel
Fax:- + (972) 2 651 26 31

Salutation: - Dear Prime Minister
Shoul Mufaz
Ministry of Defense
Kaplan Street
Hakirya
Fax:- + (972) 3 691 69 40

Salutation: - Dear Minister
Chief of General Staff C/o Ministry of Defense
Seven "A" Street
Hakirya
Tel Aviv
Fax: - + (972) 3 691 69 40