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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://peoplesdispatch.org/2026/03/27/pa-arrests-omar-assaf-over-statement-denouncing-us-israeli-aggression-on-iran/">peoplesdispatch.org</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">PA arrests Omar Assaf over statement denouncing US-Israeli aggression on Iran</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Peoples Dispatch</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">March 27, 2026</div>
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<p>Palestinian activist Omar Assaf was arrested on March 25, 2026. Photo: File </p><div>
<p><br></p><img src="cid:ii_mncoo4330" alt="image.png" width="558" height="314"><br><p>
The Palestinian Auth
ority\u2019s Preventive Security Services (PSS)
arrested Palestinian political activist, freedom fighter and former
prisoner in Israeli jails, Omar Assaf, after raiding his house in the
central West Bank city of Ramallah on the evening of Wednesday, March
25.</p>
<p>The Palestinian security apparatus <a href="https://www.wafa.ps/news/2026/3/26/%D9%82%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A1-%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-144452">claimed</a>
on Thursday, March 26, that Assaf was apprehended by the PSS because he
led the drafting of a statement, allegedly insulting and criticizing
Arab states in the region regarding their role in the ongoing aggression
on Iran.</p>
<p>According to media <a href="https://qudspress.net/257974/">reports</a>,
Assaf was one of 200 individuals, who signed the draft statement, which
condemns the US-Israeli aggression on the Islamic Republic. It also
calls for the removal of US military bases in a number of Arab countries
across West Asia, which have been <a href="https://peoplesdispatch.org/2026/03/12/iran-slams-unsc-resolution-condemning-iranian-attacks-on-us-bases-in-gulf-countries/">reportedly</a> used to launch deadly airstrikes against Iran.</p>
<p>Moreover, the signatories argued that these bases were installed to protect Israel not the Arab countries and their people.</p>
<h3><b>Widespread condemnation from Palestinian rights groups and national movements</b></h3>
<p>Lawyers for Justice, a Palestinian group of human rights activists and lawyers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/advhuman.org/photos/%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B7-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A9-/1397128502449210/">expressed</a>
its deep concern about the detention of Assaf, which \u201craises many
questions regarding the extent of respect for legal safeguards and
public freedoms guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law.\u201d</p>
<p>The group clarified that Assaf was referred to the Public Prosecution, where he was interrogated over the following charges:</p>
<ul><li>Violation of the measures taken by the state to maintain its neutrality during the war.</li><li>Defaming the authority</li><li>Stirring up sectarian strife.</li></ul>
<p>It added that Assaf\u2019s detention was extended for 15 days to complete
the investigation procedures, following the initial hearing.</p>
<p>Lawyers for Justice also demanded the immediate release of the
Palestinian political activist, who \u201cshould be tried in accordance with
fair legal principles that guarantee his rights and maintain his
dignity.\u201d</p>
<p>For its part, the International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) <a href="https://en.icspr.ps/icspr-condemns-the-arrest-of-human-rights-activist-omar-assaf-by-security-forces-in-ramallah-and-calls-for-his-immediate-release/7175/">denounced</a>
the arrest of Assaf as a step that \u201creflects the continued absence of
the rule of law and public freedoms, as well as the escalation of
arbitrary arrests based on opinion and political activity.\u201d</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (<a href="https://saba.ye/en/news3672686.htm">DFLP</a>)
slammed the PA\u2019s action against Assaf as \u201can infringement on freedom of
expression and civil peace, and an attack on civil and democratic
liberties.\u201d</p>
<p>Hamas leader <a href="https://www.saba.ye/en/news3672690.htm">Mahmoud Mardawi</a>
said that the behaviour of the PA\u2019s security services towards the
prominent freedom fighter represents a \u201cdisregard for national calls\u201d
and an \u201cattempt to silence free national voices\u201d.</p>
<h3><b><i>Read more:</i></b> <a href="https://peoplesdispatch.org/2026/02/18/palestinian-authority-forces-kill-two-children-in-northern-west-bank/"><b><i>Palestinian Authority forces kill two children in northern West Bank</i></b></a></h3>
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