Rafiq Abu Harbeed, 38, was up early in the morning on Jan. 1 as he prepared for the short journey up north toward Erez Crossing. Abu Harbeed, who lives in Beit Hanoun and suffers disc prolapse between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, was going to attend a security interview with the Israeli General Security Service (GSS), which is routine practice required by Israel for Palestinians seeking to travel though Erez Crossing. Abu Harbeed was seeking a travel permit to receive medical treatment at Al-Makassed Charitable Society Hospital in East Jerusalem.
At 5:00 pm on the same day, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights reported that Abu Harbeed’s family received a phone call from the GSS informing them that their son had been detained. He is still in Israeli custody.
