12/12/2023 – Jenin Refugee Camp, West Bank—Our friends at the Freedom Theatre need our help! On December 13, Israeli armed forces abducted Mustafa Sheta, the Freedom Theatre’s General Manager, and Ahmed Tobasi, the Theatre’s Artistic Director, along with Tobasi’s brother, Mohammed, from their homes.
The Freedom Theatre are calling on everyone to raise their voices and take immediate action to demand their release. From the group’s press statement:
“We have no information on the whereabouts or condition of these two vital members of a beloved cultural institution in Jenin. The last word we had from Ahmed Tobasi was ‘They are going house to house. They are taking everyone.’ More than 100 Palestinians have been seized in Jenin.
“We call on people everywhere, and artists particularly, to demand the immediate release of Mustafa Sheta, Ahmed Tobasi, Mohammed Tobasi, and all the Palestinians who are imprisoned, without charges or a trial.
“Before October 7, Israel held more than 1,300 Palestinians in prison in the West Bank without charges. This included the former chairman of The Freedom Theatre, Bilal Al Saadi, who has been held for more than a year. In the last two months alone, Israel has imprisoned hundreds more, now holding over 2,000 hostage.
“The Israeli army has repeatedly, violently invaded the Jenin refugee camp where The Freedom Theatre is situated, with each attack escalating in violence. This latest invasion, which was made with armored bulldozers tearing up streets, drones dropping bombs on Palestinian homes, and a siege of the hospital blocking ambulances, killed six. The Israeli army has killed 58 people in Jenin alone since October 7, including children.”
Here’s what the Freedom Theatre recommends that you can do to help:
White House Comment Line: +1-202-456-1111
Find Your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representa…/find-your-representative
Write a Letter to Your Local Newspaper: Raise awareness in your community. Share the news and demand solidarity.
Contact Your Local Theater Community: Mobilize support within the arts community. Use your network to amplify the call for justice.
Contact Anyone with Influence: Reach out to influencers, celebrities, and organizations. Ask them to use their platforms to shed light on this injustice.
Get on Your Local Radio: Call in to local radio stations to share the news and encourage listeners to take action.