The Ahrar Center for Detainees’ Studies and Human Rights reported that Sheikh Jamal Abu Al Haija, 52, from the Jenin refugee camp, and detainee Ahed Abu Ghalama, 42, from Beit Forik near Hebron, started an open-ended hunger strike three days ago demanding to be removed from solitary and to be allowed visitations. Fuad Al Khuffash, head of the Center, stated Saturday that the two detainees are demanding the prison administration to end its illegal practices against them.
Al Khuffash added that Abu Al Haija was placed in solitary confinement six years ago despite the fact they he suffers several health issues.
The prison administration has been moving him from one facility to another since last year, and continues to prevent his sixteen-year-old daughter, Sajida, from visiting him.
Also, detainee Ahed Abu Ghalama is receiving a renewed solidarity confinement order every six months, and is denied his visitation rights.
His wife, Wafa’, stated that insists to remain on hunger strike until he receives his legitimate rights, guaranteed by the International law.
Al Khuffash said that several detainees are considering an open-ended hunger strike to protest Israel’s illegal practices against them, and to demand that the Prison Administration ends all solitary confinement policies against all detainees, as this policy is a form of collective punishment targeting the detainees and their families.
He stated that there are 10 detainees, including Ahmad Al Mughrabi, Hasan Salama, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Sadaat, and Abdullah Barghouthi, who are under permanent solitary confinement.
Dozens of detainees are currently under solitary confinement for various periods as the prison administration uses this policy as a form of punishment against them.
