The number of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails has grown to 2,000, with more preparing to join the protest next week, according to human rights groups in the West Bank.
The Israeli prison service is taking punitive measures against hunger strikers, including solitary confinement, the confiscation of personal belongings, transfers and denial of family visits, say Palestinian organizations. Seven prisoners have been transferred to a prison medical centre, including Tha’er Halahleh, 34, and Bilal Diab, 27, who by Thursday had been on hunger strike for 58 days. Their appeals against imprisonment without charge – known as administrative detention – were dismissed by a military court earlier this week. Administrative detention is one of the main issues behind the protest. More than 300 Palestinians – a 50% increase since last year – are being held without charge, trial or even being informed of accusations or evidence against them. Their term of imprisonment is determined by an Israeli military judge. Halahleh has been held for 22 months; Diab since last August.
Palestinians display pictures of relatives in jail during a gathering marking Palestinian Prisoners Day near Damascus gate, occupied East Jerusalem, April 17, 2012 (Photo: Activestills)
The prisoners are also protesting over the use of solitary confinement, denial of family visits and the treatment of sick detainees. “They also want to be treated with respect and dignity,” said Shawan Jabarin of the human rights organisation al-Haq. “They want an end to middle-of-the-night checks, strip searches, humiliation and general ill-treatment. They are asking for humane treatment.”
Meanwhile, the leader of a West Bank village protest movement was released on bail this week after more than a year in prison before the verdict in his military trial on 13 May. Bassem Tamimi, who has been recognized by the European Union as a “human rights defender”, is accused of incitement and organizing illegal demonstrations. He has previously spent around three years in administrative detention.
Four Palestinians were injured Thursday when clashes erupted at a demonstration outside Israel’s Ofer detention center near Ramallah, a Ma’an correspondent reported. Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets as protesters threw rocks at soldiers in a demonstration for Palestinian detainees on hunger strike in Israeli jails. Forces detained Abdullah Abu Rahmeh, a leader in the non-violent resistance movement from Bil’in, the reporter said.
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