Follow us on
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home » World
Palestinian prisoners end hunger strike, Our people won with their will, says Salam Fayyad

Sunday May 28, 2017 10:17 AM, Agencies

Palestine Hunger strike

Jerusalem:
In the early hours of Saturday, following a grueling 20 hours of negotiations hundreds of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners announced the suspension of their 40-day hunger strike that began on April 17.

As information about what was agreed to slowly filtered out, with the main humanitarian demand of two visits per month being clinched, prisoners’ families — who have been holding continuous protests in tents throughout the occupied territories — broke out in cheers and celebrations.

Israel prison service spokeswoman Nicole Englander also said the inmates declared an end to the strike Saturday morning. She said it came after Israel reached a deal with the Palestinian Authority and the Red Cross for prisoners to receive a second family visit each per month.

Hundreds of prisoners observed the strike they said was aimed at improving prison conditions.
The hunger strike had evolved into one of the longest such protests with this many participants since Israel’s 1967 capture of territories Palestinian seek for their state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Englander said 1,578 prisoners participated in the hunger strike overall and 834 ended their fast Saturday. She said 18 were being treated in hospitals.

Many Israelis view the prisoners as terrorists and have little sympathy for their demands. More than 6,000 Palestinians are currently in prison for offenses linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for charges ranging from stone-throwing to weapons possession and attacks that killed or wounded Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Palestinians rallied behind the hunger strikers as national heroes, relishing a rare break from deep divisions between two rival political groups, the Islamic militant group Hamas which runs Gaza and Fatah, the movement of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who administers autonomous enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to AP.

The prisoners’ success was the headline of the independent website Maan, which read: “The prisoners have won and have suspended their strike.”

Similarly, former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad tweeted: “The prisoners won with their will and this is the forerunner for the victory of our people.” He followed his tweet with the now-popular hashtag #IndependenceAndDignity.

Palestinians hoped the protest will draw the attention of a seemingly distracted international community as the Israeli occupation hits the 50-year mark in early June.

Support for the prisoners is an emotional consensus issue; hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been jailed by Israel at one time or another since 1967.

Israel’s public security minister, Gilad Erdan, alleged that the hunger strike was motivated by a power struggle in Abbas’ Fatah movement. He claimed that imprisoned strike organizer Marwan Barghouti cynically exploited his fellow prisoners to boost his standing in Fatah and secure his position as a possible successor to Abbas. Barghouti’s family has denied such claims.

Qadoura Fares, who runs the Prisoners’ Club advocacy group, said negotiations took place between Israel officials and a committee from the prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti. He said negotiations began on Friday and were the first since the strike began.

Barghouti is serving five life terms after being convicted by an Israeli court of directing two shooting attacks and a bombing that killed five people. In prison since 2002, he never mounted a defense, saying the court had no jurisdiction over him.

Earlier this month, Israel released footage it said shows Barghouti breaking his fast. Palestinians say the video is a fabrication.


 


Share this page
More Headlines
BJP wins landslide victory in first ever election of Panvel Municipal Corporation
Congress sweeps Bhiwandi-Niazmpur Municipal Corporation elections, NCP draws blank
MMC Election 2017: Malegaon sees a photo finish; Congress wins 28 seats, NCP-JD(S) 27
Saudi Arabia, UAE declare Saturday as first day of Ramadan 2017; Other Arab states to take a call soon
Why join a political party when you can form one of your own: Shatrughan Sinha to Rajnikanth
Man hacked to death in broad daylight as bystanders watch, film the incident in Andhra Pradesh
Malegaon Municipal Corporation Election 2017: 'EVM confusion' may lead to uncertain results
Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab states to sight Ramadan 2017 moon today
Death by Kissing Bugs more common than thought: Study
People say no to blood pressure lowering pills, Here is why
CBSE Class 12 results 2017 not to be released today, Click here to know why
At least 22 including children dead in Manchester terrorist attack
'BJP has given tickets to Muslims in Malegaon, but not the "needed support" to win elections'
Meghalaya board SSLC Class X results 2017 to be declared today at 10:00
Meghalaya board HSSLC Arts results 2017 to be declared today at 10:00 am
Army officer who tied civilian to jeep is honoured with COAS Commendation Card
JEE Advanced 2017: Display of ORS on May 31, Release of official Answer Keys on June 04
Haryana HBSE Matric Class 10 SSC results withdrawn after Merit List goof-up
Will incorporate condition in Nikahnama to exclude triple talaq: Muslim panel affidavit in SC
NEET 2017: Madras HC issues notice to CBSE on plea to cancel the medical entrance
Victims and sponsors of terrorism - Trump lists all at Arab Islamic American summit

 Post Comments
Note: By posting your comments here you agree to the terms and conditions of www.ummid.com