Among other methods, lawlessly
imprisoned Palestinians do it by hunger striking. Khader Adnan got world
attention. He endured 66 days before Israel agreed to release him on
April 17. He continues struggling to regain health and survive.
On March 30, Hana Shalabi's 43rd hunger strike day began. She also got
widespread attention. Courageous struggles for justice draw support.
At times, good news follows.
On March 30, Maan News headlined, "Officials say deal reached to free
Hana Shalabi," saying:
Knowledgeable officials told Maan late Thursday she'll be sent to Gaza
"in exchange for giving up a 43-day strike against Israel's policy of
holding detainees without charge."
The Palestinian Prisoners Society confirmed the deal. In a statement,
it praised Hana's resolve. It thanked her for drawing wide attention
to Israeli lawlessness and brutal treatment of detainees. PPS head Qadoura
Fares said Hana agreed to terms even though "(w)e reject deportation,
but this is her decision and her own life."
Hana's lawyer, Jawad Boulos, also confirmed the agreement. One Palestinian
source said it was reached "after Palestinian officials and (the ICRC)
intervened to confirm (she) approved."
PA civil affairs minister, Hussein al-Sheikh, said Fatah's leadership
wasn't involved in negotiations. An unnamed Israeli official said "I
am aware there were negotiations of that sort" with no further elaboration.
Human rights groups and Palestinian rights activists universally condemn
Israel's repressive occupation, including lawlessly imprisoning Palestinians
uncharged.
On March 29, Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I)
said they couldn't confirm reports of Hana's release. They've had no
direct contact with her for confirmation.
They're mostly concerned with her health and "high danger on her life....used
in order to threaten her to take the sole option of" deportation to
live.
Addameer, PHR-I, and other human rights organizations oppose forcible
deportation. Doing so violates international law. It's also "part of
an Israeli policy that is not new."
Yet Israel systematically and ruthlessly persecutes Palestinians lawlessly,
including "deport(ing them) from their homes and separat(ing them) from
their loved ones."
Marwan Barghouti remains a prisoner of conscience. On April 14, 2002,
he was arrested on spurious charges of murder, aiding and abetting murder,
promoting murder, criminal conspiracy, and being an active member of
a terrorist organization.
At the time he said:
"I am a political leader, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council,
elected by my people. Israel has no right to try me, to accuse me, to
judge me. This is a violation of international law. I have a (legal)
right to resist occupation."
Nonetheless, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to five consecutive
life sentences plus 40 years. He still manages to speak out.
In a Monday letter from Hadarim Prison, he urged widespread resistance
against Israel's repressive occupation, saying:
"The Palestinian Authority must stop all coordination with Israel
economic and security and work toward Palestinian reconciliation."
"It must be understood that there is no partner for peace in Israel
when the settlements have doubled. It is the Palestinian people's right
to oppose the occupation in all means, and the resistance must be focused
on the 1967 territories."
He also urged boycotting all Israeli products and supporting Palestinian
ones. In a January 2011 letter, he said:
"The peace process had failed and ended there is no longer any point
to make desperate attempts to breathe life into the dead body and the
need to move towards (a new) Palestinian strategy...."
He also called on "all parties and factions and leaders to work with
sincerity and seriousness for the implementation of the (Fatah/Hamas)
Agreement of Reconciliation" for a united front against Israeli repression.
He thanked everyone working for Palestinian liberation, independence
and full sovereignty.
"Long live the Palestinian people,
Long live the movement of the “Open” … Long live the unity
Yes to resist the occupation and settlements
Yes to freedom, independence and return
Glory to the martyrs and healing to the wounded and freedom for the
prisoners
Brother
Marwan Barghouti"
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time
and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/
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