Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network delivered a solidarity message to the Nakba commemoration demonstration in Copenhagen, Denmark, marking 69 years of the occupation of Palestinian land and the dispossession of the Palestinian people.
The Nakba demonstration focused – through speakers, music, banners, flyers and poems – on 69 years of Nakba and and at the same time, the resistance struggle of the Palestinian people throughout that period and continuing today. The demonstration expressed its deep solidarity with the hunger striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who not only fights for their human rights in the prisons but at the same time struggle against the Israeli occupation and apartheid. The demonstration called on boycott of Israel and emphasized the importance of involving the union movement in the Boycott Israel-movement.
The protest was organized by the Nakba Initiative, which includes the Democratic Palestine Committees of Denmark, the Boykot Israel Campaign and the Palestinian National Alliance in Denmark. The main slogans of the demonstration were “We will never forget the Nakba,” “Stop Israeli Apartheid,” “For the Right of Return,” and “Free Palestine.” Speakers included the Boykot Israel Campaign, Abdel-Nasser Ferwana from Gaza, and Annette Ekebjaerg-Jakobsen and John Ekebjerg-Jakobsen from the 3F Palestine Network. It also included musical performances by Marwan, Sanabel El Ard and Nassim.
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network was invited to send a solidarity message to highlight the demonstration’s support for the Palestinian political prisoners on hunger strike since 17 April in the Strike of Freedom and Dignity. Our message follows:
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network is honored to participate in this demonstration in Copenhagen commemorating 69 years of Nakba and standing with the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, 1500 of whom launched a hunger strike for freedom and dignity on 17 April 2017.
The hunger strikers have gone without food, subsisting on salt and water, for 35 days. As we stand here together, today, we demand the immediate implementation of these prisoners’ basic, human demands: to end the denial of family visits to Palestinian prisoners, for proper health care and medical treatment, to have access to continue their education, to end the use of solitary confinement and administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial.
Palestinian prisoners are leaders and strugglers who are an example and a true leadership of the Palestinian resistance and Palestinian people. They represent the Palestinian resistance that has never been crushed through 69 years of Nakba or 100 years of colonization in Palestine. They represent the true leadership of the Palestinian people that the occupier attempts to isolate and lock away. They represent Palestinian national unity in their struggle and confrontation of the occupier. Even more, they exemplify the internationalist struggle of the Palestinian people and the struggle to free all political prisoners in imperialist jails around the world.
From Copenhagen to Berlin to Brussels to Paris to Johannesburg to New York to London to Madrid to Athens to Istanbul, alongside the streets of Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps, people have taken to the streets to stand with the prisoners and their brave and inspiring hunger strike. After 35 days, the situation is more urgent than ever and the prisoners need all of our support and solidarity, to take to the streets, pressure the governments and build the boycott of Israel at all levels to implement the demands of the Freedom and Dignity Strike and demand freedom for all Palestinian prisoners.
Today, we stand with you – we will never forget the Nakba. The prisoners will be victorious, freedom is inevitable, and all Palestinian refugees will return home to freedom in a liberated Palestine from the river to the sea.
The Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, International Federation for Human Rights and Palestine Legal came together to write an open letter to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, on the 37th day of a hunger strike by Palestinians in Israeli prison. The letter urged the UN to call on Israel to respect the human rights of the hunger strikers. The demands of those on hunger strike include calls for Israel to: end the use of administrative detention; permit more family visits; ensure adequate medical services (including specific services required by women); end the use of solitary confinement; install public phones to improve telecommunications with families; and improve access to education and other services. The prisoners’ strike arises in the context of Israel’s 50-year occupation of Palestinian territory and its transfer of thousands of Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory into prisons within Israel, in violation of international humanitarian law.
23rd May 2017
H.E. Mr António Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Executive Office of the Secretary-General
S-3800, United National Secretariat Bldg
New York, NY 10017
Re: Open Letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to urge Israel to Comply with the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and International Law on Detention
Your Excellency,
Approximately 1,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons have entered the 37th day of their Freedom and Dignity hunger strike. The demands of those on hunger strike include calls for Israel to end the use of administrative detention; permit more family visits; ensure adequate medical services (including specific services required by women); end the use of solitary confinement; install public phones to improve telecommunications with families; and, improve access to education and other services. The prisoners’ strike arises in the context of Israel’s 50 year occupation of Palestinian territory, and its transfer of thousands of Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory into prisons within Israel, in violation of international humanitarian law.[1]
We urge you to publicly call for the State of Israel to ensure that its arrest and detention policies are in full compliance with its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishmentas well asrelevant international standards, including the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisons.[2]
On the one month anniversary of the start of the Freedom and Dignity hunger strike, May 16th, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, called on Israel to comply with international law and international standards for detention.[3] In his public statement he commented that he is “particularly concerned with Israel’s use of administrative detention, which involves imprisonment without charge, trial, conviction or meaningful due process, as well as the possibility of unrestricted renewal of their detention” and noting that “administrative detainees are imprisoned on secret evidence that neither they nor their lawyers can review or challenge.”[4] Mr. Lynk reported that this application of administrative detention “is not in compliance with the extremely limited circumstances in which it is allowed under international humanitarian law, and deprives detainees of basic legal safeguards guaranteed by international human rights law.”[5] Mr. Lynk also expressed concern that prisoners are being held in solitary confinement;[6] the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture has found that detention for prolonged periods in solitary confinement can constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, or torture.[7]
While it is uncommon for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to do so, on May 3rd the ICRC released a public statement in relation to the hunger strike.[8] The ICRC called on Israel to “shoulder their full responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law,” with particular reference to ensuring family contact for Palestinians held in Israel.[9] The ICRC statement points out that “Palestinians are detained in Israel, rather than within the occupied territory as required by the law of occupation. As a consequence, family members have less access to their detained relatives. They need special permits and have to undertake long trips to see their loved ones, with checks and waiting times when crossing terminals or at the prison.”[10] These are issues Mr. Lynk also identified in his statement as “significant barriers” created for Palestinian families trying to access their relatives.[11]
In light of the recent events within the Israeli prisons, the ICRC statement expressed concern with Israel’s “systematic suspension” of family visits for those on hunger strike and affirmed that under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, “Palestinians are entitled to these visits, which can only be limited for security reasons, on a case by case basis, but never for strictly punitive or disciplinary purposes.” Mr. de Maio, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the occupied territories, stated that “families are paying the price for this situation.”[12]
Improved health services are central to the demands of those on hunger strike. Rather than taking steps to improve health services for those on hunger strike, credible Israeli media sources have reported recently that Israeli authorities are considering hiring non-Israeli doctors to force-feed those on hunger strike, since the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) has called on Israeli physicians not attempt to force-feed anyone participating in the hunger strike.[13]
The position of the IMA is in line with long-standing international medical standards related to the force-feeding of prisoners. Relevant authoritative guidelines are contained in the 1975 World Medical Association Declaration of Tokyo, which state that “where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”[14] As noted by a specialist on the medical aspects of detention with the International Committee of the Red Cross has stated, “doctors should never be party to actual coercive feeding…Such actions can be considered a form of torture and under no circumstances should doctors participate in them on the pretext of saving the hunger striker’s life.”[15] This approach also aligns with U.N. Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.[16] In 2006, a group of U.N. Special Procedure mandate-holders examined practices of force-feeding and other conduct by U.S. authorities against detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, and found that these aforementioned “internationally agreed ethical norms are implied in, and form an essential part of, the right to health. Compliance by health professionals with such ethical standards is essential to realizing the right to health.”[17]
The international laws and standards concerning the treatment of people detained in any prison or detention facility are the same as what is required of the treatment of Palestinians held by the State of Israel – there is no exception or derogation permitted on the grounds of nationality or political affiliation – and it is the inherent right of any person detained in poor or unlawful conditions to engage in a non-violent hunger strike in an effort to ensure those in authority respect, protect and fulfill their human rights while in custody.
While these legitimate non-violent actions focus specifically on the appalling treatment of Palestinians within the Israeli prison system, it is also incumbent upon the United Nations and the international community as a whole to address the collective and widespread denial of the human rights of all Palestinians living under a 50 year occupation. As Addameer Prison Support and Human Rights Association brought to the world’s attention through their public statements on April 17th when the hunger strike began, “the issue of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli prisons and detention centers transcends one of individual human rights; it is also one of collective rights of an entire people – the Palestinian people, who continue to be deprived of the right to self-determination and sovereignty – basic fundamentals of international law.”[18]
We strongly urge you, as the U.N. Secretary General, to publicly seek a timely assurance from the State of Israel that it will a) adhere to all relevant international law and standards concerning the treatment of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, including the prohibition of transferring prisoners from occupied territory and in particular, b) adhere to the reasonable demands of those on hunger strike which align with these international laws and standards, and c) refrain from any attempt to force feed any Palestinian involved in the hunger strikes.
Sincerely,
Center for Constitutional Rights
International Association of Democratic Lawyers
International Federation for Human Rights
National Lawyers’ Guild
Palestine Legal
[1] See, e,g., United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, 19 May 2017 ‘No end in sight, says UN human rights expert after five decades of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory’. Available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21639&LangID=E.
[3] United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, 16 May 2017 ‘UN Special Rapporteur on OPT calls on Israel to comply with international law on detention’ (‘UN Special Rapporteur on OPT statement on Detention’). Available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21624&LangID=E
[4] UN Special Rapporteur on OPT statement on Detention.
[5] UN Special Rapporteur on OPT statement on Detention’.
[6] UN Special Rapporteur on OPT statement on Detention’.
[7] Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, U.N. Doc. A/66/268 (5 Aug. 2011) (by Juan Méndez) at para. 58.
[16] U.N. General Assembly (1982) Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/MedicalEthics.aspx
[18] Addameer, 17 April 2017 ‘Take Action: Palestinian political prisoners launch mass hunger strike’. Available at: http://www.addameer.org/news/take-action-palestinian-political-prisoners-launch-mass-hunger-strike. Addameer (the Arabic word for ‘conscience’) is a Palestinian civil society organization supporting Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli and Palestinian prisons with free legal aid, legal representation and advocacy since 1992.
Support Palestinian Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike! Demand that U.S. Senators Durbin & Duckworth take a stand!
#DignityStrike #DignityStrikeChi
Over 1,800 Palestinian political prisoners have entered their 37th day of an open ended hunger strike, and their lives are in danger! Join USPCN-Chicago and friends for a lunchtime picket on Thursday, May 25th, at 12 Noon, at Federal Plaza (230 S. Dearborn St.) in downtown Chicago, to demand that our U.S. Senators take action to pressure Israel to meet the demands of the strikers.
There are 6,300 Palestinian political prisoners currently in Israeli jails, including more than 500 held under administrative detention, which is an Israeli policy of imprisoning Palestinians for months without formal charge. In response to routine violations of their basic human and civil rights as prisoners, the Palestinians launched their hunger strike over 5 weeks ago, demanding the restoration of regular family visits, an end to torturous solitary confinement, an end to administrative detention, the strengthening of medical care, and access to education–all rights enshrined under international law.
The corporate media and our legislative representatives have been silent on the issue, with only one of the 535 members of the U.S. Congress, Danny Davis, having made any kind of official statement. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1YcQ8ThsCDaeTVWZ1JINlh5ZUE/view)
So join USPCN-Chicago on Thursday, May 25th, for a lunchtime picket and rally demanding that U.S. Senators from Illinois, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, take a clear stand in support of human rights for the Palestinian hunger strikers.
When: Thursday, May 25th, at 12 Noon
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5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to support Palestinian hunger strikers! USPCN calls for National Week of Action!
As the over 1,500 Palestinian political prisoners enter their 36th day on hunger strike, the risks to their health are increasingly grave, so urgent actions in solidarity are of critical importance.
Here are 5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to support the hunger strikers’hunger strike for dignity demands, which include the restoration of regular family visits, an end to solitary confinement, an end to administrative detention (imprisonment for months without formal charge), the strengthening of medical care, and access to education:
1)Demand a meeting with your U.S. Senator or U.S. Congressperson THIS WEEK, and ask them to pressure Israel to meet the prisoners’ demands. USPCN chapters and coalition partners in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area, thus far, have already made commitments to visit at least one of their Senators or Congresspeople. If your legislator does not recognize the urgency of your request for a meeting, please join this National Week of Action anyway with a picket or protest of her office or other targets, like Israeli consulates, and let us know of your plans by emailing uspcn@uspcn.org.
2)Call or write your elected representatives and ask them to make a public statement in support of the hunger strikers, like this powerful one from U.S. Congressman Danny Davis of Illinois.
3) Black out social media! Change all your social media profile pictures to the USPCN Facebook profile picture and tag #DignityStrike.
4)Organize a day-long fast with your families, friends, and / or organizations in support of the Palestinian prisoners, like USPCN’s on May 11th
5)Call the International Red Cross at 202.587.4600 to demand that it fulfills its obligation to examine the prisoners’ cells; and Amnesty International USA Headquarters at 212.807.8400 to demand it pressure Israel to meet the strikers’ demands.
For more information and regular updates on the hunger strike, follow @uspcn, @Addameer, and @SamidounPP on Facebook and Twitter, as well as these hashtags: #DignityStrike, #PalHunger, and #StopAD.
On Thursday May 25, university students, human rights advocates, and concerned members of the Houston community will undertake a symbolic hunger strike and peaceful protest in solidarity with more than 1500 Palestinian political prisoners that have been on hunger strike, abstaining from food and drinks, since April 17, 2017.
Drawing attention to the plight of Palestinian prisoners and their open-ended “Strike for Dignity and Freedom”, we will assemble in front of the Consulate General of Israel in Houston. Participants will contribute to the global #SaltWaterChallenge that has been launched in support of the demands of the Palestinian political prisoners. A variety of creative performances will take place, and prominent members of the Houston academic, cultural, and human rights community will address the peaceful assembly.
Palestinian prisoners are demanding an immediate end to medical negligence, solitary confinement, and administrative detention, a common practice by Israeli authorities where a prisoner is detained for periods up to six months — renewed indefinitely — without a trial or charge. They are also asking for longer and more frequent family visits, opportunities for secondary and higher education, and better access to medical care and services. Currently, these basic needs are denied to the 6500 Palestinian political prisoners incarcerated by the Israeli authorities.
Since the launch of the hunger strike in Palestine, the Israeli Prison Service has isolated the prisoner leaders into solitary confinement, confiscated clothes and personal belongings, and moved other strikers around the prisons to limit communication. Israel has received wide scale international condemnation for its policies towards the prisoners and the Palestinian people as a whole, but it nevertheless continues to violate the will of the international community.
Through this action, we insist that Israel immediately meet the demands of the Palestinian prisoners. We also express our support for the Palestinian people and its just quest for liberation, return, equality, and self-determination. Finally, we demand that Israel end its policies of apartheid, colonization, military occupation, displacement, dispossession, and mass incarceration.
May 25th is an International call to action: Day of global one-day hunger strikes for Palestinian prisoners. We invite you to join us for a protest and press conference at the Israeli Consulate in support of the Day of global one-day hunger strikes for Palestinian prisoners.
Join a coalition of Palestinian groups and solidarity activists, including JVP and Norcal Sabeel to demand that Israel meet the just demands of the strikers to be treated according to internationally recognized human rights standards.
In April of 2017, over 1000 Palestinian prisoners launched the largest collective hunger strike in years, on the occasion of marking 50 years of military occupation & nearly 70 years of Israel’s displacement & imprisonment of Palestinians.
Their demands are simple including: reinstating visitation rights, installing phones, improving medical care, and ending solitary confinement and administrative detention (the practice of holding prisoners for indefinite periods without charge or trial).
Marseille, France – 9 am, Vieux Port, Marseille: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Lyon, France – 9 am, Place de la Republique, Lyon: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Albertville, France – 9 am, Place de l’Europe, Albertville: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Nimes, France – 9 am to 7 pm, Avenue Feucheres, Nimes: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Saint-Etienne, France – 9 am to 8 pm, Place du Peuple, Saint-Etienne: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Montpellier, France – information forthcoming
Donostia/San Sebastian, Basque Country – 9 am, Kiosk on the Boulevard, Donosti: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Berlin, Germany – 9 am, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin (MOVED from Brandenburger Tor due to Obama visit): Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1449227791786976/ Organized by BDS Berlin and local organizations.
Bremen, Germany – All Day, Local Government Office at Bremen Cathedral, Bremen: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
London, UK – 10 am, Trafalgar Square, London: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
San Francisco, CA, USA – 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Israeli Consulate, 456 Montgomery, San Francisco: Press Conference and Protest for Palestinian Prisoners. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/289463528131951/ Organized by the Arab and Palestinian community of San Francisco.
Washington, DC, USA – 9 am, White House, Washington, DC: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CODE PINK, CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Madrid, Spain – All Day, Puerta Del Sol, Madrid: Participation in Global Hunger Strike to Support Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine and local organizations.
Tripoli, Lebanon – 10 AM, International Committee of the Red Cross, Tripoli: Vigil of Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike. For more information: http://www.europalestine.com/spip.php?article13042 Organized by the Social Services Association of Tripoli
Bratislava, Slovakia – 3 pm to 4 pm, Namestie SNP, Bratislava: Solidarity Hunger Strike for Palestinian Prisoners. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/147557129118628 Organized by Iniciatíva za spravodlivý mier na Blízkom východe
Victoria, Canada – 8 am, Mile 0 at the launch of the Walk for the Salish Sea protest against Kinder Morgan, Victoria: Support for Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike. For more information: http://caiavictoria.ca. Organized by Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid Victoria.
Toronto, Canada – 11 am to 7 pm, A Space Gallery, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto: Cross-Stitching Solidarity and Hunger Strike. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/429660727392295/ Organized by Cross-Stitching Solidarity.
Calgary, Canada – Vigil for Palestinian prisoners. For more information and specifics: bdsactioncalgary@gmail.com
Canada – All Day, part of the Global Solidarity Hunger Strike. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1942042846039117/ Canadian organizers include: Canadian BDS Coalition, Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid Victoria, Barnard-Boecker Center Foundation (BBCF), Victoria, Justice for Palestinians- Calgary; Canada Palestine Association, Vancouver; Palestinian Solidarity Network, Edmonton; People for Peace, London; Working Group for Palestinian Solidarity, Sudbury; Palestinian and Jewish Unity, Montreal; Quebec-BDS; Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice, Montreal; Solidarity for Palestinians, St. John’s; Christian Peacemaker Team-Ontario; UOIT/Durham College SJP Oshawa; Mennonite Central Committee; United Network for Justice and Peace is Palestine and Israel; along with individuals across Canada from St. John’s Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.
ON FRIDAY 26 MAY: Gothenburg, Sweden: 10 am and all day, Kungsportsplatsen, Gothenburg: Hunger Strike in Solidarity with Palestine. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1334372396632178/ Organized by Palestine activists in Gothenburg.
More events on 25 May:
Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy – 6:30 pm, RAI Studio Viale Bonaria, Cagliari: Sit-in in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/646445595557636/ Organized by the Associazione Amicizia Sardegna Palestina.
Portadown, Ireland – 7:30 pm, Garvaghy Road, Portadown: Vigil in Solidarity with Hunger Striking Palestinian Prisoners. Organized by the Portadown branch of the Ireland-Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.
Houston, TX, USA – 5:30 pm, Israeli Consulate, 24 Greenway Plaza #1500, Houston: Houston Stands with Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1901154370159836/ Organized by Students for Justice in Palestine at UH
Chicago, IL, USA – 12 pm, 230 S. Dearborn St, Chicago: Demand Senators Durbin and Duckworth Stand with Palestinian Prisoners. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/379626075766341 Organzed b US Palestinian Community Network
Stanford, CA, USA – 7:30 pm, Jordan Hall, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford University: Aarab Barghouthi on Palestinian Dignity Hunger Strike. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/599733690228330/ Organized by Stanford Students for Justice in Palestine.
Toronto, Canada – 11 am to 7 pm, A Space Gallery, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto: Cross-Stitching Solidarity and Hunger Strike. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/429660727392295/ Organized by Cross-Stitching Solidarity.
Existence is Resistance and The Palestinian Youth Movement NY (PYM-NY) present “Portraits for Palestine” where we are asking all of our friends, family, comrades and supporters to come out Wednesday May 24th to Times Square to show solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the hopes that it will boost their moral to continue their struggle for freedom. Palestinian political prisoners have been on hunger strike for over 30 days and the world is silent.
Please NOTE the following:
– We are asking all that own a Thawb/Palestinian emroidered dress or shirt to please wear it. All others if you can wear black and/or Red we would appreciate it for visuals.
– We will be out there asking as many people as we can to do the salt water challenge and/or take a photo with a poster supporting the Dignity Strikers and Freedom for the prisoners
– We will have fliers for people that will have the basic info on the strikers/prisoners and the Nakba
Please RSVP if you are coming and please share widely.
The Associazione Amicizia Sardegna Palestina is organizing a moment of reflection and understanding on the 69th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. The catastrophe against the Palestinian people upon the creation of the state of Israel carries heavy consequences for Palestinian refugees in diaspora and all of those in occupied Palestine.
The event will include two Skype connections, first with Hanaa Mahameed, Al-Mayadeen correspondent, who will discuss the current situation of Palestinians in occupied Palestine, and second with Dima Nassif, Al-Mayadeen director in Syria, who will discuss the situation of Syrian Palestinians in the Syrian crisis. There will also be a presentation by journalist and writer Fulvio Scaglione. The event will be moderated by Claudia Ortu of the University of Cagliari
WHAT: Join Palestinian students in the U.S. for a nationwide, day-long hunger strike to amplify the voices of over 1,500 Palestinian political prisoners on day 37 of their hunger strike
WHEN: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 (all day)
WHERE: Nationwide, both online and on the following campuses: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, DePaul University, Columbia University, University of California-Irvine, University of California Davis, and University of California-Riverside, University of California San Diego, Hunter College, Stony Brook University.
Sponsors:
Palestinian Youth Movement – PYM
The Dream Defenders
For The People Artist Collective – FTP
Addameer
National Students For Justice In Palestine – NSJP
The United States Palestinian Community Network – USPCN
By the minute, the situation is becoming more critical and the risk of health deterioration is increasing. Coverage and opinion is critical to the success of any hunger strike. Thus far, international media has avoided the #DignityStrike in accordance with the Israeli state propaganda machine while the damage to Palestinian prisoners’ bodies only grows.
Right now, there are 6,300 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons, including 500 administrative detainees. More than 1,500 of them have engaged in 5 weeks of an open-ended hunger strike. The hunger strikers’ demands include
1. An increase in family visits
2. Access to proper medical care and education
3. An end to administrative detention and
4. An end to solitary confinement
On May 23, the 37th day and 6th week of the Dignity Strike, we are calling for Palestinians, Arabs, and all allies across the country to participate in a 24 hour hunger strike and an online social media campaign. Under the umbrella #DignityStrike37, we join our voices to support the #DignityStrike, push US media to cover the strike, and put greater pressure on Israel.
Suggested actions:
1. Join the day long hunger strike.
2. Use the hashtag #DignityStrike37 , #DignityStrike, #PalHunger, #StopAD on Twitter/Facebook
3. Take a picture with a sign that has the hashtag #DignityStrike37 and post it on your social media accounts.
4. Call the International Red Cross at 202.587.4600 to demand that it fulfills its obligation to examine the prisoners’ cells; and Amnesty International USA Headquarters at 212.807.8400 to demand it pressure Israel to meet the strikers’ demands.
Sample Tweets:
Amid muted response from international community, Palestinian political prisoners entered their 37th day & 6th wk of hunger strike #DignityStrike37
Over 1500 Palestinian prisoners continue the largest prison hunger strike in Israeli jails. Today marks day 37, week 6 #DignityStrike37
Today marks 37 days & 6 weeks of Palestinian political prisoners’ hunger strike for freedom & dignity! #DignityStrike37
Palestinian prisoners will strike until their demands are met. @ICRC tell Israel to agree to #DignityStrike demands! #DignityStrike37
Tweet out the demands of prisoners, which can be found here. Eg:
@ICRC Resume the second monthly visit which you cut. Hunger strike will continue until visits are reinstated #DignityStrike37
End the policy of medical negligence. The #DignityStrike will continue until demands are met. #DignityStrike37
Prisons should provide high school examinations to Palestinian prisoners #DignityStrike37
Signs:
Today marks day 37 and week 6 of the #DignityStrike #DignityStrike37
Today, I hunger strike in solidarity with over 1500 Palestinian political prisoners on day 37 of the #DignityStrike #DignityStrike37
Over 1500 Palestinian prisoners have not eaten for 37 days. Today, I join them. #DignityStrike37
The Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, International Federation for Human Rights and Palestine Legal came together to write an open letter to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, on the 
Organized by US Palestinian Community Network
On Thursday May 25, university students, human rights advocates, and concerned members of the Houston community will undertake a symbolic hunger strike and peaceful protest in solidarity with more than 1500 Palestinian political prisoners that have been on hunger strike, abstaining from food and drinks, since April 17, 2017.
May 25th is an International call to action: 
Existence is Resistance and The Palestinian Youth Movement NY (PYM-NY) present “Portraits for Palestine” where we are asking all of our friends, family, comrades and supporters to come out Wednesday May 24th to Times Square to show solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the hopes that it will boost their moral to continue their struggle for freedom. Palestinian political prisoners have been on hunger strike for over 30 days and the world is silent.
May 24 will mark 38 days of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger Strike for Dignity and Freedom
The Associazione Amicizia Sardegna Palestina is organizing a moment of reflection and understanding on the 69th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba. The catastrophe against the Palestinian people upon the creation of the state of Israel carries heavy consequences for Palestinian refugees in diaspora and all of those in occupied Palestine.
#DIGNITYSTRIKE37 CALL TO ACTION