Go hungry for Palestine

SA CELEBS, POLITICIANS WITHOUT FOOD FOR 24 HOURS IN SOLIDARITY WITH PRISONERS 1 500 Palestinian political prisoners are on 25th day of hunger strike in Israeli jails.

Anumber of South Africa government ministers have pledged to take part in a 24-hour fast in solidarity with more than 1 500 Palestinian political prisoners who are on the 25th day of a hunger strike in Israeli prisons, demanding better prison conditions.

There are currently more than 6 500 Palestinian political prisoners detained by Israel. The prisoners are demanding an end to solitary confinement, detention without trial and adequate medical treatment, among other issues.

The 24-hour solidarity hunger strike fast will start at 6pm tomorrow and end at 6pm on Monday.

Some of the officials who will be participating in the fast include Aaron Motsoaledi (minister of Health), Ayanda Dlodlo (minister of Communications), Naledi Pandor (Minister of Science & Technology), Rob Davies (minister of Trade & Industry), and Ebrahim Patel (Minister for Economic Development), Nomaindia Mfeketo (Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation), and Buti Manamela (Deputy Minister in the Presidency).

Over the past 50 years, more than 800 000 Palestinians have been imprisoned or detained by Israel. Presently there are more than 500 Palestinians held under Israel’s “administrative detention”, or detention without trial.

A total of 25 Palestinian journalists and 13 Palestinian parliamentarians are also currently incarcerated in Israeli prisons. Israel is also holding 300 Palestinian children (some as young as 13 years old). In the last year, Israel has arrested more than 400 Palestinians for social media posts.

Israeli defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has responded to the current hunger strike, saying: “I take the approach of Margaret Thatcher” in reference to the former British prime minister who notoriously allowed Irish hunger strikers to die in prison.

But South Africans showing solidarity include well-known personalities, liberation icons, activists and political leaders.

According to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel in South Africa campaign, these include TV presenters Eben Jansen, Hajra Omarjee, Nina Hastie, Kuli Roberts, Shaka Sisulu and media personalities Kay Sexwale, Janet Smith, Jimi Matthews and Yusuf Abramjee have also lent their support to the 24-hour fast. – ANA