Palestinian prisoners in Israel go on hunger strike in protest of administrative detention
Israel Prison Service says some 300 prisoners send back meals in one-day act of solidarity; PA minister claims over 5,000 prisoners launch open-ended strike.
By BEN HARTMAN, JPOST.COM STAFFPalestinian prisoners in Israel's Ketziot prison 311 (R)(photo credit: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
Around 300 Palestinian security prisoners sent back their meals on Thursday in what Israel Prison Service officials say is a one-day act of solidarity with hunger strikers protesting administrative detentions for the past two weeks.Sivan Weizman, spokesperson for the IPS said that the protesters said it was only a one-day action and denied reports that thousands of security prisoners were taken part in an open-ended hunger strike.She added that the 90 to 100 Palestinian security prisoners who have been on hunger strike for the past two weeks are on medical observation but are not in dire condition and have not been taken for medical treatment at Israeli hospitals.Palestinian Authority Minister of Detainees Issa Qaraqe claimed that over 5,000 prisoners had launched an open-ended hunger strike in solidarity with administrative detainees on Thursday.Administrative detention is the practice by which Palestinian security suspects are held without charge or the right to see the evidence against them.Qarage declared a "Day of Rage" on Friday in solidarity with Palestinian administrative detainees.
