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Israel

British aid worker arrested in Israel

Humanitarian aid worker Ayaz Ali from UK based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide was arrested by the Israeli authorities on Tuesday May 9, 2006.
Ayaz, 36, was stopped at a checkpoint near Modain to the west of Ramallah while on his way to meet colleagues at Islamic Relief's West Bank office. He was subsequently detained and arrested but has not been charged with any offence.

Islamic Relief is deeply concerned for Ayaz's welfare. He was only involved in charitable work and in no way is he or Islamic Relief linked to any criminal or suspect activity.

Islamic Relief is also concerned that Ayaz is being held under West Bank military law despite being arrested under Israeli law.

The British Embassy in Tel Aviv visited Ayaz in Ashkelon prison on Sunday May 14. Islamic Relief is working closely with the UK Foreign Office and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv to secure his release.

Ayaz has been working with Islamic Relief for five years and was appointed as Programme Manager in the Gaza Strip in December 2005. He was due to return to the UK next month in time for the birth of his first child.

His colleagues and family are concerned for his wellbeing and are praying for his safe release.

Islamic Relief President Dr Hany El Banna OBE said:

"I was shocked to hear the news and am at a loss to understand why Ayaz has been arrested. Unfortunately, aid workers are an easy target as we have seen in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. We are concerned that incidents like this prevent humanitarian field workers from carrying out their duties. We hope Ayaz will be released soon and will be able to return to his family."

For more information contact:

Jamsheed Din:
0121 622 0663
077204 513 10

or Shagufta Yaqub:
0121 622 0649

Islamic Relief's work in the Palestinian Territories

Islamic Relief (IR) has been working in the Palestinian Territories since 1994 and opened its Gaza City office in 1998. IR also has offices in Bethlehem, Jenin and Ramallah in the West Bank. It runs a number of projects in the Gaza Strip and West Bank with a particular focus on education and healthcare for children and livelihoods projects to support families.

As Programme Manager in Gaza, Ayaz is responsible for managing Islamic Relief's Educational Enhancement Centres in the refugee camps of Jabalia and Maghazi where children have access to computers, books and toys. The centres, funded by the European Commission, provide extra classes for disadvantaged children.