Palestinians in Israeli jails begin hunger strike

Thousands of Palestinian detainees and prisoners in Israeli jails today begin an open-ended hunger strike in protest against systematic medical negligence, violations, detention without charge or trial, unfair trials and prevention of family visits by the Israeli authorities.

Issa Qaraqe, chairman of the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission, said more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners are expected to participate in the collective hunger strike starting on Monday, April 17. He added that the number is expected to increase in the following days, according to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).

"The prisoners need local and regional support to achieve a series of humanitarian demands," Qaraqe said, calling upon the people of Palestine and national and official institutions to participate in activities supporting the Palestinian prisoners. He also called on human rights institutions to compel Israel, as the occupying state, to respect international law and stop its violations of the law in Israeli prisons.

Qaraqe added that the victory of the hunger strikers in achieving their demands means restoring their strength in the face of the escalating Israeli practices, "bringing prisoners closer to their basic rights and demands and preventing the occupation from harming the dignity of the Palestinian prisoners," WAFA reported.