The PA (Palestinian Authority) has placed the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel atop its agenda and this past Friday, 5 Adar 5773 was declared another Day of Rage. This led to violent protests and confrontations between PA residents and IDF soldiers in many areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron.
Leading the effort was Samar Issawai of Issawiya, one of the terrorists released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, who was recently rearrested. He has launched a hunger strike in prison in protest over his re-arrest. His actions have become symbolic, providing encouragement for other imprisoned terrorists to launch a hunger strike and the declaration of the Day of Rage by PA officials. It was the 66-day hunger strike of Islamic Jihad terrorist Hadar Idnan that led to his release from an Israeli prison last year.
The violence and confrontations with Israeli security forces were most prominent near the Bituniya Crossing near Ofir Detention Center. Idnan was there along with MK (Ra’am-Ta’al) Dr. Ahmed Tibi to rally the hundreds who turned out to take part in the event. Tibi warned if the hunger-striking prisoner dies, the area will be set ablaze in response and the responsibility will rest in Israel’s hands alone. Soldiers in many areas were targeted with rocks and other objects, including Kalandia along a northern border of the capital, south of el-Bireh and Ramallah.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) called on Israel to implement agreements with the PA including the release of prisoners. European Union Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton expressed concerns over the condition of many hunger striking Arab prisoners in Israel, calling upon Israel to honor its responsibilities pertaining to human rights.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
I’ve had it with this. If they want to starve let them. It’s self inflicted punishment. If there was a murderer in the US and he went on a hunger strike no one would be screaming to release him. I’m tired of the hypocrisy that the world tries to impose on Israel.