Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails Continue Hunger Strike
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - More than 70 Palestinian inmates in Israeli prisons continued a hunger strike for a seventh day to demand an end to Tel Aviv’s solitary confinement policy.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society, a non-governmental organization, said on Sunday that the number of striking prisoners has risen to 100.
The Palestinian Detainees Committee said the prisoners are striking against Israel’s recent decision to place a number of inmates in solitary confinement.
“Forcing the detainees into solitary confinement is an illegal, vindictive and punitive measure,” the detainees are reported to have said in a statement. “Solitary confinement is like graves for the living; we call for urgent and serious measures to oblige Israel to end its violations of international law.”
According to the Palestinian NGO, Israel’s Prison Service, the agency responsible for overseeing jails, had transferred several strike leaders to the Israeli Ktziot, Nafha, and Raymond prisons in order to counter the protest.
A number of prisoners at Ktziot and Raymond jails were also reportedly told that they would be transferred to other centers.
Israeli officials have not yet made any comment.
The strike is also in solidarity with Nahar al-Saadi, who’s been refusing to eat since November 20 to protest his solitary confinement since May last year.
More than 30 Palestinian prisoners are being held in solitary confinement under inhumane circumstances in Eshil, Nafha, Majeddo, Asqalan, Ramla and Ramon prisons, Press TV reported.
Reports say more than 7,000 Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails, many of them without charge or trial.
The Israeli Prison Service has come under criticism from human rights groups for rampant rights abuses in jails.
