Samer Issawi is a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike protesting his political detention without trial by Israel. He is entering his 133rd day (not consecutive) only ingesting water and salt, and is determined to continue his strike until Israel frees him, despite being in critical condition. He is reported to not being able to move anymore.
is 163rd day (not consecutive) without food, and is also in critical condition. As of September 2012, he has lost his vision and suffered severe back pain, memory loss and kidney problems.
They are not the first to carry out hunger strikes, and will not be the last, unless Israel stops detaining and torturing innocent Palestinians without trial. A few facts we should know about hunger strikes:
1. Hunger strike is a political strategy where people fast in order to communicate a message and pressure certain parties into agreeing to a specific goal.
2. Notable examples in history are Mahatma Ghandi protesting against the British occupation in 1932, IRA prisoners during the Irish Civil War in 1923 and Turkish political prisoners periodically since the 1980s.
3. No one has been reported to survive more than 75 consecutive days without food and supplements, according to Physicians for Human Rights.
4. Hunger strike is seen to be a good strategy to deploy, as it is non-violent, causes no harm to others yet provokes public interest in the matter, which puts pressure on the parties involved to give in to the strikers' demands.
5. Earlier this year in February, more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners took part in a mass hunger strike demanding Israel to stop detaining Palestinians without trial. Among their key demands were to end detention without trial known as 'administrative detentions', end solitary confinement, allow visits by family members, access to educational materials, and stop night-time raids and strip searches.
6. This mass strike caused a major uproar globally. Supporting rallies and demonstrations were carried out in many countries, and social network sites were mobilised fully by the civil society, making it one of facebook and twitter's top rated posts, despite minimal coverage by mainstream media.
7. The strike ended after Israel finally agreed to end solitary confinement for several prisoners, lift a 5-year ban on family visits and discuss demands for better prison conditions. The deal was brokered by Egypt and Jordan in May.
8. Amnesty International reported that Israeli authorities have used administrative detention on thousands of Palestinians for years, without charge or trial. Prisoners are held without knowing details or their alleged crime and charge and have no ideas on when they might be released.
9. As many as 40% of the adult male population in Palestine have been detained by Israel at least once in their lifetime. Some people, like Samer Issawi, have been detained numerous times for 'crimes' never tried in court.
10. Israel asserts that these prisoners are terrorists. Yet more than 200 Palestinian children are detained by Israeli authorities every month.
“When you grow up you will understand how injustice was brought upon your father and upon thousands of Palestinians whom the occupation has put in prisons and jail cells, shattering their lives and future for no reason other then their pursuit of freedom, dignity and independence.
You will know that your father did not tolerate injustice and submission, and that he would never accept insult and compromise, and that he is going through a hunger strike to protest against the Jewish state that wants to turn us into humiliated slaves without any rights or patriotic dignity.
My beloved Lamar keep your head up always and be proud of your father, and thank everyone who supported me, who supported the prisoners in their struggle, and don’t be afraid for God is with us always, and God never lets down people who have faith and patience.
We are righteous, and right will always prevail against injustice and wrong doers.”- Letter by Thaer Halahleh to his daughter Lamar, whom he has never met, on his 75th day of hunger strike. (May 2012)
May Allah grant justice, patience and perseverance to those oppressed.
Israa' Institution
References:
1. "Israel warned of volatile situation as Palestinian hunger strikers near death." The Guardian. 13 May 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
2. "Interview: Family of hunger striking Samer Issawi". Alternative Information Centre. 13 October 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
3. "Israel denies hunger striker Ayman Sharawna medicine despite "serious deterioration" in health." The Electronic Intifada. 26 September 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
4. The Monthly Humanitarian Monitor: April 2012. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory. April 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
5. "Hunger striking prisoner Samer Issawi in critical condition". Alternative Information Centre. 9 December 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
6. "The power of the hunger strike" Counterpunch. 19 November 2012. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
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