Al-Awda, The Palestine Right To Return Coalition calls on all people of conscience to take immediate action to help save the lives of Palestinian political prisoners who have been detained by Israeli authorities without any charge whatsoever, and eight of whom are on open ended hunger strike some at the point where death could come at any moment. The Israeli occupation continue to detain Palestinians under the Emergency Law of 1945, which was in force during the British Mandate of Palestine. This law allows the Zionist authorities to detain Palestinians without trial or providing reason, and to repeatedly extend the term of detention. The Israeli authorities have also ratified the Unlawful Combatant Law of 2000, which allows the occupation state to detain Palestinians without charge or disclosure of the term of detention.
There are currently 320 Palestinian administrative detainees in Zionist jails. Eight are on open-ended hunger strike, and have been identified by Addameer, the Palestinian Prisoners Association and Al-Mezan as follows:
1. Mahmoud Kamel Mohammed As-Sersik, 25, from the Ash-Shaboura neighborhood in Rafah, was arrested by the IOF on 22 July 2009 while on his way to join the Balatta Youth Sports Club. As-Sersik is a member of the Palestinian national soccer team. On 23 August 2009, the IOF extended his detention under Israel’s Unlawful Combatant Law. No evidence was provided in justification of his detention, and the term of detention was not specified. He has been on hunger strike for 21 consecutive days in protest against the continuation of his detention without charge or trial. On 8 April 2012, he was transferred from Negev prison to solitary confinement in Eshel prison in Beer Sheva.
2. Thaer ‘Aziz Mahmoud Halahla, 33, from Kharas village in Hebron district in the West Bank, was arrested in his home on 27 June 2010. On 5 March 2012, his term of administrative detention was extended for six months. He has now been on hunger strike for 44 consecutive days in protest against his detention without trial. On 28 March 2012, he was referred to the Ar-Ramla prison hospital due to the deterioration of his health.
3. Belal Nabil Sa’eed Diyab, 27, from Kafer Ra’i village in Jenin district in the West Bank, was arrested on 17 August 2011. On 14 February 2012, his term of administrative detention was extended for six months. He has now been on hunger strike for 45 consecutive days in protest against his detention without trial. On 28 March 2012, he was referred to the Ar-Ramla prison hospital due to his deteriorating state of health.
4. Ja’far Ibrahim Mohammed Eiz Ad-Din, 41, from ‘Arraba village in Jenin, was arrested by the IOF on 21 March 2012. On the same day, he was placed under an order of administrative detention for a term of six months. He is now on hunger strike for the 22nd consecutive day in protest against his detention without charge. On 28 March 2012, he was transferred from Megiddo prison to solitary confinement in Al Jalama prison. His family reports that they have received information that he has since been transferred to Ar-Ramla prison hospital.
5. Ahmed Nabhan Da’san Saqer, 48, from ‘Asskar refugee camp in Nablus, was arrested on 20 November 2008. On 24 January 2012, his term of administrative detention was again extended for a period of four months. He is now on hunger strike for the 31st consecutive day in protest against his detention without charge. He is being held in Shata prison.
6. Mohammed Rafeq Kamel At-Taj, 40, from Toubas in Nablus district, was arrested in his home on 19 November 2003. He was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment. He has now been on hunger strike for 29 consecutive days.
7. Hasan Zahi As-Safadi, 34, from Ein Al Maa’ refugee camp in Nablus, was detained on 29 June 2011. On 29 January 2012, his term of administrative detention was extended for another four months. He is now on hunger strike for the 39th consecutive day. On 6 April 2012, he was referred to the prison hospital in Ar-Ramla due to the deterioration of his health.
8. Omar Mousa Mesleh Shalaeil, 45, from Nablus, was detained on 15 August 2011 while he was on his way to perform the ‘Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca. On 15 February 2012, his administrative detention was extended for another six months. He is now on hunger strike for the 41st consecutive day. On 4 April 2012, he was referred to the prison hospital in Ar-Ramla due to his deteriorating state of health.
ACT NOW!
Please join the voices around the world to help save the lives of the eight political detainees on hunger strike and to demand the immediate release of all 320 administrative detainees!
Write to President Obama and voice your concern and demand that the US administration intervene for the immediate release of all 320 Palestinian administrative detainees and save the lives of the eight on open ended hunger strike. You can use the online form at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments
Call US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: (202) 647-4000 or Office of Near East Affairs: (202) 647-7209. Demand that the Secretary intervene for the immediate release of all 320 administrative detainees and save the lives of othe eight on open ended hunger strike.
Organize rallies. Palestinian Political Prisones Day is April 17.
