Ibrahim Khader, a former Palestinian prisoner, announced he was launching an open hunger strike in Rafah, Gaza, Palestine this morning, Sunday, 14 February, in support for hunger-striking imprisoned Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq.
Khader’s announcement followed the news that al-Qeeq’s health has declined precipitously after 82 days of hunger strike in protest of his imprisonment without charge or trial under Israeli administrative detention.
Khader, 65, served 14 years in Israeli prisons and was released in the prisoner exchange of 1985. A longtime leader in the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, he is a constant participant in activities and events in support of the prisoners throughout Gaza, especially the many gatherings and protests outside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
He announced that he was launching the open hunger strike in solidarity with al-Qeeq and all of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and to intensify the pressure and campaign for their immediate release, raising the profile of the prisoners’ issues. He also stated that his action comes to intensify the Palestinian popular pressure on the Palestinian Authority to take all actions necessary to save the life of al-Qeeq and address the suffering of Palestinian prisoners.
