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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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16th September 2004

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: British Muslims detained by Israeli security services to return to UK, Friday

Having worked on this case for several days, IHRC is pleased to note that three British Muslim women detained by Israeli security services are due to return home Friday 17th September.

The trio who went to teach Palestinian children as part of Project Hope, were detained, strip searched and taken to court upon \’secret\’ evidence that they were terrorists. The judge threw out these accusations, but initially placed them under house arrest at their hostel (although they were allowed to leave to buy meals), until deportation.

The deportation process however was frustrated by Israeli police who refused to return the women\’s passports and arrange for a flight. After campaigners contacted the British Foreign Office, the trio found themselves taken to court once more, and all allegations against them dropped. The three are returning to the UK on Friday.

Whilst IHRC welcomes the British government\’s late involvement it questions why there was no immediate support for the women. It was only after the issue was raised by campaigners from within IHRC and other organisations and groups, as well as Cambridge MP Anne Campbell that a public stance was taken by the government.

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\”And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.\”

Holy Qur\’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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