RAMALLAH, May 24, 2017 (WAFA) – More than 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are continuing their open-ended hunger strike for the 38th day in a row, demanding better prison conditions.
Speaking to Voice of Palestine radio, Issa Qaraqe, chairman of the Detainees Affairs Commission, said there are still no indication that the Israeli authorities are willing to meet or negotiate the demands of the hunger strikers.
He said nevertheless, the Israeli side might change its position, thanks to the efforts exerted by President Mahmoud Abbas in this regard during his meeting on Tuesday in Bethlehem with US President Donald Trump.
“The Israeli occupation government has no option but to negotiate with the leaders of the strike and respond to the demands of the hunger strikers, especially after their health condition has deteriorated,” Qaraqe explained.
The media committee of the strike on Tuesday said many hunger strikers in Ramleh prison were moved to hospital following a serious deterioration in their health.
According to the Detainees Affairs commission, the hunger strikers are suffering serious health conditions, including frequent fainting, nausea and vomiting, severe headaches, low blood pressure and heartbeat, as well as a significant loss of weight.
The committee called for effective action to save the lives of the hunger striking prisoners, especially as a large number of prisoners were moved to hospital.
The hunger strikers are calling for better access to medical care; increased visit duration from 45 to 90 minutes; removal of glass barriers during family visits; improved detention conditions including easing restrictions on the entry of books, clothing, food and other gifts from family members; installing phones to enable prisoners to communicate with their families and an end to the policy of administrative detention.
M.N./M.K.
