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Thursday 21 February 2013 - 07:02

Nazareth activists set up tent to support hunger strikers

Story Code : 241411
Demonstrators hold a Palestinian flag during a protest outside Jerusalem
Demonstrators hold a Palestinian flag during a protest outside Jerusalem's magistrates' court in support of Samer al-Issawi, one of four Palestinians held by Israel who have been on an intermittent hunger strike, February 19, 2013.
Demonstrators set up a tent in Al-Ayin Square and a press conference was held to inaugurate the protest area, which will open on Thursday from 10 a.m. daily, the Supreme Arab Committee said in a statement.
 
Ex-prisoners will participate in the events and share their experiences about being incarcerated in Israeli jails.
 
Hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails declared a one-day fast on Tuesday in solidarity with Samer Issawi and three other prisoners on hunger strike.
 
The Palestinian Prisoners Club, which looks after the welfare of inmates and their families, said 800 prisoners were taking part in the day-long fast.
 
Later the same day, an Israeli court ruled that Issawi must remain in Israeli prison custody. His mother collapsed as the judge announced that Issawi would remain in prison until the next hearing in one month.
 
The prisoners' campaign against detention without trial has touched off violent protests over the past several weeks outside an Israeli military prison and across the West Bank.
 
In the Gaza Strip, Islamic Jihad said a truce with Israel that ended eight days of fighting in November could unravel if any hunger striker died.
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