RAMALLAH, February 28, 2012, (WAFA) - Dozens of Palestinians Tuesday participated in a sit-in in front of the Red Cross office in Ramallah in support of Hana Shalabi, a prisoner held in administrative detention in Israel who is on an open-ended hunger strike since February 16.

Supporters held signs calling for the liberation of Shalabi, from the Jenin area, who had previously served 25 months in administrative detention and released in October in the Shalit prisoners swap.

They also called for abolishing administrative detention Israel heavily uses against Palestinians.

There are currently over 300 Palestinians held in administrative detention, which human rights organizations consider a violation of civil and political rights.

Speaking to the protesters, Ramallah governor Laila Ghannam called for Palestinian unity in order to focus attention at the issue of the prisoners. She also urged the international community to demand from Israel to abolish administrative detention.

M.S.