AHMAD ADNAN AL-RAMHY

BEYOND THE WALLS

Since the Six Day War in 1967, Israel has imprisoned more than 700,000 Arabs, mostly for political crimes. The vast majority of these prisoners have been Palestinian. Some died in detention, while others remain in jail. But over the years, thousands have been freed. These are some of their stories.

Film Director

Prison is a disturbingly common experience for Palestinians. Around one-fifth of the population has at one time or another been imprisoned since the occupation began. Thousands of Palestinians have been held under "administrative detention', without being charged or even told what crimes they are suspected of having committed.

 

In jail, Palestinian prisoners live in appalling conditions and are subjected to harsh treatment. Human rights groups have documented various forms of physical and psychological abuse: arbitrary beatings, excessive use of solitary confinement and the denial of family visits. The UN has concluded some techniques used by the Israeli Shin Bet (General Security Service) during prisoner interrogation constitute torture.

The Israelis do this [imprison you] in order to turn you from a human being into a creature barely alive. Someone forgotten. Living only to eat and sleep.
SALEH ABU LABAN
FORMER PRISONER
I hate to sit facing the wall. Sitting facing a wall reminds me of jail. It means humiliation and insecurity.
SALEH ABU LABAN
FORMER PRISONER

In jail, Palestinian prisoners dream of simple pleasures: opening a door, jumping on a bed, or watching the sunrise. In reality, they live in dark, crowded cells. Every aspect of their existence is governed by strict routine. Denied their physical liberty, they devote their time to expanding their minds.

 

Even that has been a struggle; Palestinian prisoners were initially denied pencils and paper. Books were also banned. After a series of prison protests, inmates were granted access to pens, pencils, paper, books, newspapers and monitored radio broadcasting.

 

Still, there were limits. Israeli authorities only allowed approved texts in the library. Many of the books arrived in such poor condition that prisoners had to piece them back together with tape.

I dream about [prison]... I see myself in the cell, on strike, reading or writing. The picture [...] lives inside me.
AHMED ABU HEDBAH
FORMER PRISONER

Over the years, Israel has freed a number of Palestinians in prisoner exchanges or political deals. Palestinians view the release of prisoners as a victory for the national cause. Once freed, Palestinian prisoners typically receive a hero’s welcome.

 

But privately, many ex-prisoners struggle with the trauma resulting from years – sometimes decades – spent behind bars. They feel out of place with the rest of society, having missed out on life’s milestones. “Their emotions have remained the same from when they were young,” said Tereza Halasa, who was jailed for 12 years before being released. “Their thinking developed through reading, but their emotions didn’t develop,” she said.

Today, thousands of Palestinians remain in Israeli jails. Hundreds are serving life sentences. Dozens are being held under 'administrative detention'. Their fate is closely intertwined with that of Palestine. Their stories are a stark reminder of the cost of resisting Israeli oppression.

WATCH THE FILM

ADMINISTRATIVE

DETENTION

INTIFADA

REFUGEE

PLO

CREDITS

DIRECTED BY

AHMAD ADNAN AL-RAMHY

 

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

ABDULLAH AL-RAMHY & SAMER AL-NIMRY

 

EDITOR

IBRAHIM AL-TAANY

 

PRODUCTION HOUSE

ZENDBIA, JORDAN

 

COMMISSIONING SENIOR PRODUCER

RAWAN DAMEN

 

PRODUCTION YEAR

2012

 

REVERSIONED BY AL JAZEERA WORLD TO ENGLISH – 2012

 

COPYRIGHT © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FOR AL JAZEERA

RETURN TO TOP