Apparently, the thought of releasing a 21 year old Nutrition studies student on bail, and letting her return home to her family while she prepares to defend herself is too threatening for the Israeli court system. During a brief appearance in court earlier today, the judge denied her request for bail and Layan Nasir was returned to her cell to await the next stage in this travesty of justice.

Was the judge afraid she might lead another nature walk in the hills of olive trees and grape vines surrounding Birzeit? Or perhaps the authorities were afraid she might continue to educate her student colleagues about minimizing the risk of Covid infection until Israel acknowledges its responsibility to protect the health of the people whose land it occupies. These are two of the charges brought against her.

More likely, the prosecutor emphasized the risk that Layan might continue to organize her fellow students to actively protest and nonviolently resist the ongoing occupation and slow annexation of the West Bank. Free speech is a powerful tool in effecting your own liberation. Freedom of association is another invaluable tool to organize your resistance to oppression. Which is probably why the prosecutor and judge agreed. Layan is a threat to Israel's hegemony over the Palestinians and must remain behind bars. 

Friends, as I write this we are approaching 6,000 signatures on our petition! Thank you so much for your support! Will you help me rally more supporters by sharing this petition with ten other people? If enough of us sign we can’t be ignored! Here’s a link to share https://www.change.org/p/release-layan-nasir-and-other-birzeit-university-students