Layan Nasser has been re-arrested!
Back in the summer of 2021, Layan Nasser (also spelled Nasir) was arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces, reportedly because of her nonviolent educational and organizing efforts at Birzeit University, where she was an undergraduate student.
One of more than twenty students arrested in a sweep by the Israeli military, she was interrogated, mistreated and held without trial in an Israeli military prison for several months before public pressure, actions by her lawyer, and payment of bail by her parents saw Layan released across the border back into Palestine.
Since the fall of 2021, Layan has been living with her two brothers and parents at their home in Bir Zeit. She completed her studies and recently graduated from Birzeit University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition. Layan is currently employed by a Palestinian NGO in nearby Ramallah, socializing with friends and trying to put the trauma of her 2021 arrest and imprisonment behind her.
Sadly, that post traumatic stress were triggered (and more!) for Layan and her family at 4 AM on Sunday, April 7th when, according to her father, four armored Israeli army jeeps with at least 20 heavily armed soldiers, stormed Nasser’s family house, aggressively held her parents at gun point, thoroughy searched the house, then blindfolded and handcuffed Layan, and took her away.
The soldiers offered no explanation or indication of what charges they are making against her or to where she would be taken. We have learned she was one of eight young people abducted by the army that morning. Since then, the family has been informed by Layan’s attorney that she was taken across the border into Israel and returned to Damon prison.
According to reports by Palestinian, Israeli, and international prisoners' rights groups, life has become far more difficult for imprisoned Palestinians since October 7th. The Israeli military has arrested thousands of Palestinian men, women and children, so overcrowding, in unsanitary conditions, is typical.
Unsurprisingly, Layan has not been able to see or speak with her lawyer. Previously, she (and other Palestinians detained) was subject to physical and psychological abuse during the early days of her first detention.
Credible reports about sleep deprivation, stress positioning, psychological pressure, and including physical torture and sexual abuse, denial of, or poor quality food, withheld beds and bedding, and denial of soap and female hygiene items are widely circulating. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which normally oversees treatment of prisoners, is currently being denied access to Israel's prisons.
While we hope (and ask for prayers) that Layan's imprisonment has not reached such horrific depths, we ask that you sign our petition, distribute it widely, and perhaps send an email to Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog in Washington, DC, info@washington.mfa.gov.il and to George Noll, the Chief of the US Office for Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem USPalestinianAffairs@state.gov to express your concern.