Israeli police arrested leading Palestinian human rights activist Dr. Mustafa Barghouti yesterday and then released him on the edge of Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, where he was then rearrested by the Israeli Army. Barghouti was severely beaten by the Army, first on the street and then in a car. Among his injuries was a fractured knee.Barghouti is president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees.

Before his arrest, he had just finished a press conference where he spoke out against the effects of current Israeli policies on the health of the Palestinian population. Members of the European Parliament joined him at the press conference. They demanded an immediate lifting of Israeli blockades on Palestinian areas. Some of them were also beaten by the Israeli Army. I spoke with Dr. Barghouti just moments after he was released by the Israeli Army.

Guests:

• Mustafa Barghouti, President of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees.
• Luisa Morgantini, Italian member of the European Parliament. She was with Barghouti when he was arrested.