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Makhoul is an Israeli citizen, human rights activist, and head of the internationally recognized Ittijah organization for Palestinian empowerment. He also chairs the Public Committee for the Defence of Political Prisoners within the Arab Higher Monitoring Committee in Israel. Moreover, he supports the global BDS movement. Like many others, he was targeted for his activism and faith. In his case, for his prominence as well.
He committed no crime, yet was arrested in May on spurious charges of spying for Hezbollah. In fact, his outspokenness and legal discussions, within and outside Israel, were called communicating with a "state enemy," outrageous by any standard.
According to Ittijah's founder, Dr. Hatim Kanaaneh, "there is no doubt" that he was targeted for his political views. His wife, Janan, said "The story is not finished, it will be told later." Accepting a plea "was a choice between bad (or) worse" in a nation where Arabs get no justice. It bears testimony to Israel's lawlessness, its mockery of democratic principles, ones even eroding for Jews.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
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