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Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails begin ‘open-ended hunger strike’ in protest at being held without charge

AT least seven Palestinian prisoners are on “open-ended hunger strike” in Israeli jails, rights groups said today, with more expected to join the action in protest at being held without charge.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said that Israeli intelligence has issued 200 administrative detention orders since the beginning of May, a record number, with the majority being against new detainees.

The hunger strikers include 28-year-old Ghadanfar Abu Atwan, who has been without food for 45 days. The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) is holding him in the Ramle Prison clinic.

After starting his action, prison authorities placed him in isolation in an unsanitary cell infested with insects. 

It is alleged that he was beaten and tortured before being sprayed with a noxious chemical causing him breathing difficulties.

The oldest of those taking part, 59-year-old leading Hamas member and former mayor of al-Bireh Jamal al-Taweel, joined in protest over the detention of his daughter, journalist Bushra al-Taweel.

She works for the Aneen al-Qaid Media Network, which reports on the plight of Palestinian political prisoners. 

Ms Taweel has been held many times by the Israeli authorities and was arrested most recently in November 2020.

Administrative detention orders were first introduced by British colonialists and are issued from one to six months at a time. 

But they can be renewed indefinitely meaning that many Palestinians are held in prison for years without knowing the charges against them or standing trial.

The Samidoun Prisoner Solidarity Network called for supporters of the Palestinian resistance to take action in support of the hunger strikers and those struggling for freedom.

“These Palestinians are putting their bodies and lives on the line inside occupation prisons to demand not only freedom for themselves, but an end to administrative detention and the entire colonial system of zionism throughout occupied Palestine,” it said in a statement.

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