John Catalinotto
The news coming from Madrid could not be more disturbing: The Audiencia Nacional [National Tribunal] has refused to dismiss the case against the Spanish internationalist fighter Angeles Maestro and two other comrades for sending funds to the Palestinian people and has ordered the opening of the Sumario Ordinario [Common Proceedings] «for collaboration with a terrorist organization».
Ángeles Maestro is a former communist deputy, a physician, a writer and above all an exemplary anti-fascist and anti-war militant, who has made internationalism a permanent concern. She has participated in solidarity actions across the Middle East countries attacked by U.S. imperialism and its ally the Zionist Israeli government. In Palestine, in Iraq, in Syria, together with the Saharawi people in Africa [colony of Morocco], but also in support of the Revolutions and the peoples of Latin America, such as those of Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia, Nines Maestro was always in the frontline bringing her unconditional support, putting her body on the line when necessary or offering an intellectual contribution, as she is also a member of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements for Humanity (REDH).
Now, this exceptional tribunal and continuator of Francoism that is the Spanish National Court has refused to absolve her and two other comrades, accusing them of having gathered two small sums of money and having given them in 2014 and 2015 to the historic Palestinian fighter Leila Khaled, when Khaled made a series of public talks and meetings in Madrid and Barcelona.
The accusation is really pathetic because those funds (which did not exceed 8,500 euros and had been raised by contributions of numerous people) were intended for the reconstruction of schools and hospitals, which as is known lack supplies and are overwhelmed by the Israeli repression in the West Bank and the bombings in Gaza.
That Leila Khaled is a leader of the PFLP has been the basis used by the Israeli association «The Lawfare Project Spain» to accuse the three activists, and subsequently this accusation was accepted by a judgement of the Audiencia Nacional.
Now, Angeles Maestro and her two comrades are facing a trial that seeks not only to send them to prison but also to condemn any kind of action in solidarity with the precious cause of the Palestinian people.
For all these reasons, those of us who subscribe to this declaration express our solidarity and solidarity with comrade Ángeles Maestro and the other two activists, since they are undoubtedly persecuted for defending the cause of freedom and self-determination of Palestine. At the same time that we repudiate any attempt to restrict freedom of expression and opinion, we call on all those people from different parts of the world who feel concerned by this type of assault on human rights to declare themselves in solidarity with this struggle.
Solidarity is the compassion of the peoples!
Stop persecuting those who are fighting against the occupation of Palestine!
We demand the dismissal of the case against Ángeles Maestro and the others involved.
First signatories
Carlos Aznárez, journalist, Argentina
Norman Briski, actor and playwright, Argentina
Vicente Zito Lema, poet, writer, Argentina
Roberto Perdía, lawyer, Argentina
Pablo Puebla, General Secretary CTA San Martin. Argentina
María Torrellas, documentalist