Palestinians Rally for Hunger Strikers in "Israeli" Jails
Local Editor
Hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated outside "Israel's" notorious Ofer prison Friday to demand the release of hunger strikers.
In parallel, the demonstrators performed Friday Prayers in front of the prison in solidarity with hunger strikers.
Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghouthi, Palestinian Knesset member Ahmad Tibi and Islamic Movement in "Israel" leader Shiekh Raed Salah attended Friday prayers outside the jail.
Barghouthi said around 1,000 Palestinians gathered to show support to the Palestinians on hunger strike in "Israeli" jails.
Near Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, protesters raised Palestinian flags at the entrance to Efrat settlement.
Dozens were injured, including four journalists, as "Israel" fired live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and tear gas at protesters.
Two protesters were shot by live ammunition on the shoulders.
Protesters called for the release of Samer Issawi, who has been on hunger strike for more than 200 days. Lawyers say Issawi has been in "critical condition" in recent day, and could draw "his last breath at any moment."
Palestinians also demonstrated for three other hunger strikers: Tareq Qadan, Jaffar Ezzedin and Ayman Sharawneh.
Issawi, 35, was initially released in 2011 in a prisoner-exchange deal. One "Israeli" soldier was freed from captivity in Gaza in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, Issa Qaraqe, said Issawi had lost 35 kilograms, has kidney pain and has lost feeling in parts of the right side of his body.
Earlier this week, one of the pioneers of the most recent hunger strikers' movement in Palestine, Khader Adnan, restarted his hunger strike in solidarity with Issawi.
Adnan was on hunger strike for 66 days until 21 February 2012. He began his latest hunger strike at a demonstration outside offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ICRC has since closed their offices in Ramallah, a move that is widely seen as a response to demonstrator's actions.
"We consider this a slap in the face of Palestinian prisoners," said Palestinian activist Abir Kopty of the ICRC office shutdown.
"Instead of just using rhetoric, the ICRC should be taking concrete action for the prisoners," she added.
On 1 February 2013, the ICRC issued a statement expressing "concern" for Palestinian hunger strikers, calling on "Israeli" authorities to "find a prompt solution in order to save [their] lives," but stopping short of calling for their release.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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