RAMALLAH, May 3, 2012 (WAFA) – Palestinian journalists Thursday marked World Press Freedom Day with receptions attended by journalists and officials.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) organized a reception as a Ramallah hotel where speakers focused mainly on the situation of the prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 17 days while two held in administrative detention have entered their 65th day of hunger strike.

Speaking on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, advisor Nimr Hammad warned that Israel’s policies in the occupied territories is destroying any chances of a peaceful settlement.

“Israel’s policies are leading to a bi-national state,” he said.

He also saluted the prisoners who are on hunger strike demanding support for their battle against their dismal prison conditions.

Speaking at the same meeting, Qaddoura Faris, head of the Palestinian Prisoner Club, cautioned against allowing political differences and division to affect the striking prisoners.

He said the prisoners on hunger strike come from all Palestinian factions, and not only some, and therefore support for their battle should be from all sectors of the Palestinian society and political spectrum.

Palestinian journalists, heeding a call by their union, earlier boycotted a reception called for by the American consulate organized at a Ramallah hotel to mark World Press Freedom Day.

PJS and 20 other unions had called for the boycott to protest US policies in the region, particularly its strong support for Israel while ignoring Palestinian issues, such as the case of the striking prisoners.

M.S.