Eight Palestinian prisoners now on hunger strike for freedom: New flyer for distribution

hunger-strike-solidarityOne more Palestinian prisoner has entered an open hunger strike against their administrative detention without charge or trial, bringing the total number of Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli jails to eight.

Ahmad Salatneh, a Palestinian refugee from the Jenin refugee camp held in Megiddo prison without charge or trial under administrative detention, has entered his third day of hunger strike demanding his release.

He joins seven more Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, many suffering significant health impacts after up to 38 days refusing food and consuming only water.

Anas Shadid, 19, of the village of Dura near al-Khalil, has been on hunger strike since 25 September against his imprisonment without charge or trial under administrative detention. Shadid has been imprisoned since 1 August and is on an open hunger strike, which he began jointly with Ahmad Abu Fara, demanding his immediate release and an end to administrative detention. On his 36th day of hunger strike, his health has deteriorated significantly; he suffers from severe abdominal and joint pain, shortness of breath and must use a wheelchair in order to move and walk. He is currently held in the Ramle prison clinic.

Ahmad Abu Fara, 29, of the village of Surif near al-Khalil, also has been on hunger strike since 25 September against his administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial. Abu Fara has been held under administrative detention since 2 August when his home was raided by occupation forces in a violent pre-dawn attack. His health has deteriorated significantly as he reaches his 36th day of hunger strike; he has severe neck and throat pain, numbness in his limbs, abdominal pain and blurred vision. Like Shadid, he must use a wheelchair to move. He is currently held in the Ramle prison clinic.

Majd Abu Shamla, 24, of Yabad village in the Jenin area, is continuing his hunger strike since 5 October against his imprisonment under administrative detention without charge or trial. Despite his deteriorating health on his 26th day of hunger strike, he and fellow striker Hasan Rubayah have been frequently transferred in recent days in an apparent attempt to break their hunger strike. He is currently held in isolation in Ela prison in Beersheba.

Hasan Rubayah, 31, of Maythaloon village near Jenin, is also continuing his hunger strike since 5 October against his imprisonment under administrative detention without charge or trial. Held under administrative detention since 31 March, he is entering his 26th day of hunger strike and has been transferred on multiple occasions. Like Abu Shamla, he is currently held in isolation in Ela prison.

Musab Manasrah, 28, of the village of Bani Naim near al-Khalil, launched his hunger strike against his administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial, on 25 October. He has spent several years in administrative detention over multiple arrests. Manasrah has now been transfered to isolation in Ela prison.

Samer Issawi, of Issawiyeh near Jerusalem, is on an open hunger strike since 25 October. Issawi’s hunger strike in 2012-2013 drew worldwide attention in protest of his detention and secured his release. One of the Palestinian prisoners released in the Wafa al-Ahrar exchange in 2011, Issawi was re-arrested and accused of traveling outside the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem. He was threatened with the re-imposition of his original sentence; following his hunger strike, he was released after 17 months. However, he was once again seized by occupation forces in 2014 as part of the mass arrest raids targeting former prisoners and alongside many of his fellow arrestees, his former 30-year sentence was arbitrarily re-imposed on the basis of secret evidence. Issawi’s sister and brother, Shireen and Medhat Issawi, are also imprisoned. He launched an open hunger strike with Munther Snobar to demand that women prisoners – especially in Damon prison – be moved to a location close to the military courts, an end to the medical neglect of sick prisoners and an end to the prohibition of family visits for Palestinian prisoners. He is held in solitary confinement in Nafha prison.

Munther Snobar, from Nablus, jointly launched his hunger strike on 25 October alongside Samer Issawi, with the same list of demands for an end to the mistreatment and abuse of Palestinian prisoners collectively. Held in solitary confinement in Nafha prison, he is serving a life sentence.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges the utmost support and solidarity to the hunger strikers and to all Palestinian prisoners. We urge all advocates for justice and freedom for Palestine to protest and act in support of the hunger strikers’ struggle for liberation. A leaflet is below for download and distribution in support of the hunger strikers’ struggle:

Download flyer: Click here to download PDF