RAMALLAH, May 9, 2012 (WAFA) – A number of Palestinians Wednesday demonstrated in front of the United Nations office in Ramallah and blocked staff from entering their building for several hours to protest UN silence regarding the issue of prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails.

Zaid Shuaibi, one of the protesters, told WAFA that the protest was organized the Palestinian youths group, Palestinians for Dignity, who were later joined by families of prisoners.

He said that the UN has become Israel’s partner in the way it treats prisoners by not defending Palestinian rights in spite of its big role in the case of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by Hamas and later released in an exchange of prisoners.

A UN official said the international organization was “truly concerned” about the conditions of the prisoners and their families.

“We expressed our position clearly to the media and we aspire to reach an agreement to end the situation,” said the official.

A letter handed to the UN official expressed disappointment at the UN failure to raise the issue of the Palestinian prisoners with the government of Israel.

“We note with disappointment your silence ever since this protest movement began in December 2011 with Khader Adnan’s arbitrary arrest and subsequent hunger strikes. This stands in stark contrast to your vocal and persistent remarks in support of formerly incarcerated Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit,” said the letter addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

“We urge you to take a firm and vocal position in opposition to Israel’s abuse and violation of Palestinian prisoners’ rights and encourage, through UN mechanisms at your disposal, measures of accountability for these violations,” added the letter.

M.H./M.S.