Muslim cleric fighting deportation from US talks of torture in Israeli detention

IHT ^ | June 2, 1007

[Alouette]

NEWARK, New Jersey: A Muslim cleric on Monday graphically described the torture to which he claims he was subjected in Israeli custody, as he fought to block U.S. efforts to deport him on grounds he lied on his residency application.

The issue of torture is at the heart of the deportation proceedings against Mohammad Qatanani, a Palestinian who has been the spiritual leader at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in New Jersey since 1996.

U.S. officials, in rejecting his bid for permanent U.S. residency, said Qatanani failed to disclose on his green card application a 1993 arrest and conviction in Israel for being a member of the militant group Hamas.

Qatanani denies the charges, saying he was detained, not arrested, by the Israelis along with many Palestinians at the time. Qatanani claims he was not aware of the conviction and claims he was subjected to physical and mental abuse while in detention. Over the past few weeks, a number of character witnesses have testified on his behalf, including a rabbi.

In court on Monday, Qatanani recounted his time in Israeli detention — describing being tied to a small chair with his hands bound, kept in a freezing cell, and subjected to violence and threats — several of his supporters in the packed courtroom began quietly weeping.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Amen to that! No improper torture for followers of the Religion of Peace!