- Title: MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian prisoners enter day 74 of hunger strike
- Date: 12th May 2012
- Summary: VARIOUS OF HALAHLEH FAMILY SITTING AT HOME NEAR PORTRAITS OF PRISONER AND ISLAMIC JIHAD MEMBERS
- Embargoed: 27th May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel, West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Conflict,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9ICRCNA4Q8P23X4AGA7P4C570
- Story Text: Humanitarian organisation Physicians for Human Rights expressed concern about Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike who began their 74th day without food on Friday (May 11).
An estimated 1,600 out of 4,800 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails stopped taking food on April 17 demanding an end to administrative detention, better conditions, an end to solitary confinement and more family visits.
Two Palestinian prisoners, Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahleh, were among several prisoners whose earlier refusals to accept food sparked the mass movement. Six prisoners have refused food for between 49 and 74 days, according to their lawyers and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).
Halahleh's family gathered for a show of support at a sit-in tent in his hometown of Hebron, in the West Bank, on Thursday (May 10).
"We all are worried about him, but I worry the most because the mother feels differently than the rest. The mother is always thinking of her son, however, I have faith in God and he will be released, God willing, soon," said his mother, Fatmeh Halahleh.
The scope of the hunger strike has posed a new challenge to Israel, which has come under international criticism over detentions without trial and could face a violent Palestinian backlash if any of the protesters die.
At the PHR offices in Tel Aviv, the director of the Prisoners and Detainees department said Halahleh's life was in "immediate danger."
"His doctor told him that his life is in immediate danger and that he could die any moment and what is very worrisome is the fact that he said that he doesn't want to be saved if something happens to him and he loses consciousness. he doesn't want resuscitation," Anat Litvin said, adding that the organisation believed that the prisoners did not have access to adequate equipment or expertise.
The fate of the hunger strikers has touched a raw nerve in the Palestinian territories with daily demonstrations in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip to support the movement.
On Wednesday (May 9), Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad was pressed to do more by demonstrators gathered in Ramallah.
A day later, a candlelit vigil was held in the city's main square to show support for those prisoners who remain on hunger strike. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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