Monday, February 08, 2010

Australian activist released on bail in Israel

By ABC Middle East correspondent Anne Barker

Posted 2 hours 38 minutes ago
Updated 33 minutes ago

Released on bail: Bridgette Chappell from Canberra

Released on bail: Bridgette Chappell from Canberra (APTN)

Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the release of an Australian woman who was arrested during a pre-dawn military raid in the West Bank.

Bridgette Chappell, 22, from Canberra, was arrested with a Spanish woman after Israeli soldiers burst into the apartment they shared in Ramallah.

The Israeli government says Ms Chappell, who was studying Arabic and politics at Birzeit University in the West Bank, was arrested for overstaying her visa.

But she was also active in the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) - a pro-Palestinian organisation committed to resisting Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

Israel alleged Ms Chappell had taken part in illegal protests against Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

But Ms Chappell's lawyer argued in court that Israel had no jurisdiction in Ramallah on matters unrelated to security.

Ms Chappell lashed out at Israel from the dock before being led away.

"It's completely illegal what they're doing. They're trying to crush the popular resistance in Palestine," she said.

The court has ordered the women's release on bail until it can consider their appeals against deportation.

They have been ordered not to return to the West Bank.

Ms Chapell says she is currently in Tel Aviv and has been in touch with the Australian consulate.

"It's still pretty up in the air. I was released but I also have to appear in court again," she said.

"I can stay as long as the trial continues but we'll see what happens.

"I'm really going to try and fight to stay as long as I can."

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