Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike

On 15 August 2004, Palestinian political prisoners began an open-
ended hunger strike supported by all political factions inside and
outside the prisons. The strike promises to be one of the most
significant acts of resistance from inside the prisons in decades. Up
to 8000 political prisoners are expected to join the strike in the
coming days and a series of solidarity actions are planned across
occupied Palestine. Zionist leaders have promised harsh repression
and have publicly stated that the prisoners can "starve to death."

In response to the hunger strike, prisoners reported the use of
coercive measures by Israeli authorities against hunger strikers,
including threats, and psychological and physical pressures such as
beatings. Israeli guards often raid prison cells and force prisoners
to strip naked. Israeli guards have confiscated salt, cigarettes,
books, and stationary, as well as fans, which has caused breathing
difficulties in the stuffy cells, especially among those in solitary
confinement.

The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, also known as Al-Awda, has
issued a statement pointing out that:
„h Over 7500 Palestinian men, women, and children are currently being
held in Israeli prisons.
„h The prisoners are denied all basic human rights guaranteed to them
under international law. Many are being tortured.
„h These prisoners are resisting the brutal Zionist occupation of
Palestine in all of its formations and it is essential that we
support them.

Al-Awda is asking organizations and individuals from all over the
world to sign on to a solidarity fast taking place today and to send
their own letters of support to the Palestinians in the Zionist
prisons at: palprisoner@yahoo.com or by fax to 1-928-752-8355 .

In the latest updates, yesterday (Sunday) marks the first martyr of
the hunger strike. The mother of one of the Palestinian and Arab
prisoners in Zionist jails, who herself had been on hunger strike in
Nablus since August 15, passed away. Aisha el-Zaben, the mother of
prisoner Ammar el-Zaben, was 55 years old.