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May 14, 2012

Report: Palestinians, Israel Reach Tentative Deal on Hunger Strike 
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Representatives of Palestinian prisoners have reportedly reached a
tentative agreement with Israel that could end a massive hunger strike
by some 2,000 people behind bars. Al Jazeera reports a draft deal
mediated in Egypt would see Israel change its administrative detention
policies to no longer hold Palestinian prisoners without charge. The
deal will reportedly be presented to the prisoners today for a vote.
Over the weekend, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza continued to
hold demonstrations of support for the prisoners. On Sunday, Israeli
activist Jonathan Pollack and an unidentified Palestinian protester
rallied near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

Jonathan Pollack: "We are here today to support the prisoners in their
hunger strike and to say that it cannot be that life in settlements, and
in these police stations that are right behind us, will continue as
usual while thousands of Palestinian prisoners are striking, are
hunger-striking, are dying of hunger for their most basic rights."

Protester: "Two thousand Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike for
30 days. Where is the media? When [Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit was
kidnapped, all the world stood by him. We are protesting for prisoners."

 

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