Rights and Accountability 27 April 2012
International solidarity with the Palestinian political prisoners who are on an open-ended hunger strike is growing. Around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails have joined a mass hunger strike to protest Israel’s ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Despite the punitive measures taken by the Israeli authorities, the number of prisoners participating in the hunger strike is growing.
Yesterday, around 250 Palestinians participated in a demonstration for Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike outside Israel’s Ofer detention center near Ramallah. Israeli forces fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets at protesters, injuring four people, according to Maan News Agency.
The Palestinian hunger strikers will receive support from solidarity activists in England and Scotland. Demonstrations are scheduled for Friday 27 April and Saturday 28 April. Take action, join the demonstrations.
27 April, Manchester, England
The Palestine Forum of Britain will organize a demonstration in support of the Palestinian hunger strikers at 19.00h Rusholme, Winslow Road, M145BJ Manchester.
28 April, Edinburgh, Scotland
On Saturday 28 April from 12.00h until 14.00h, a national demonstration will take place at the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh to support the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. The demonstration has been called by the We Are All Hana Shalabi coalition.
The Annual Conference of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) - representing half a million organized workers - called upon its members to support the demonstration. In addition, the STUC voted unanimously in favor of support to the Palestinian hunger strikers and the Palestinian prisoner support organization Addameer.
The march will leave Charlotte Square at 12pm and end with a rally outside the Scottish Parliament. The rally will feature speeches from Scottish lawmakers, trade unionists and representatives from the campaign’s supporting organizations. The demonstration calls upon the Scottish Government to stand on the side of human rights and justice and to:
- Issue a statement supporting the mass hunger strike, calling for the immediate release of Palestinians held in detention without charge and condemning Israel’s inhumane treatment of Palestinian political prisoners.
- Support the principles of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement and divest from companies profiting from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
Transport is currently being arranged from Glasgow and elsewhere. Check here for updates.
28 April, London, England
On Saturday, 28 April from 16:00 until 17:30, a national demonstration will take place opposite number 10 Downing Street, in London (nearest tube Westminster). The event is organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK to support Palestinian hunger strikers and calling for an end to Administrative Detention.
The Camden Abdu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA) will join the demonstration in Downing Street, assemble at 14.00h outside SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Near Russell Square. CADFA initiated an on-line signature campaign.
