Suhaib Salem / Reuters

Palestinian children take part in a rally in front of Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day, April 17, 2012.

1,200 Palestinian prisoners declare hunger strike

1,200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails began a hunger strike Tuesday, Reuters reports. Israel's prisons authority said in a written statement that a further 2,300 Palestinian prisoners said they would reject their daily meal in support of Palestinian Prisoners' Day.

The Guardian reported on Sunday that 11 Palestinian prisoners are already on previously-declared hunger strikes, 3 of whom have been hospitalized. The strikers are seeking to draw attention to their conditions, including issues of imprisonment without charge and solitary confinement.

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Today happens to be the Prisoners' Day- according to the dicta of PLO/Hamas/Islamic Jihad/Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades/PFLP/Salafists etc. Now PLO President Muhammad Abbas' latest - will have nations declare these prisoners as POWs - when his precondition to any talks with Israel is the Release of these same criminals-yes criminals,since they have committed crimes and terrorism attacks,murders. Does anyone know that PA's Attorney General Ahmed al-Mughni arrested 3 reporters (Rami Samara,Youssef al-Shayeb,Tarek Khamis) for criticizing Palestinian laeders-since released) and one blogger Saleh Ra'fat still detained w/o any charges for blogging about PA corruption,where monies and quid pro quos and nepotism reign like in the good old days of PLO/Arafat- nice bank accounts in safety- perhaps Qaddafi gave them also hints on top of training,financing,giving safe havens,arming etc. One wonders how on earth all these prisoners inside Israel for criminal acts have access to multimedia -direct and indirect?

  • 10 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:03 AM EDT

The Palestinians are consistantly searching for "causes" and topics in order to "wake up"

and reignite the interest in their "struggle", this time its a Prisoners Day and a "hunger strike",

The claim by the Palestinian activists that the palestinian prisoners are "innocent"and were

imprisoned for no reason is a blatante lie. they are are Terrorists, amongst them killers of

women and children, Innocent civilians that were murdered in cold blood on busses,in the streets,

or in their homes. Their place is in prison and nowhere else.

  • 11 votes
Reply#2 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:49 AM EDT

These people are detained, but not charge. They are being held "just because they are consider a threat". Can't wait for the war to start. Israel can throw a punch, lets see if they can take one.

    #2.1 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:42 AM EDT

    You "can't wait for a war to start"? Sounds like a fat Republican sitting down in front of a tv with your gun cleaning kit! How brave you are!

      #2.2 - Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:13 AM EDT
      Reply

      Let the Palestinian Arabs starve themselves to death.

      • 9 votes
      Reply#3 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:05 AM EDT

      You beat me - I wanted to post it in almost the same words! Let them die in peace, because that is the only peace they can make with Jews. Peace of the grave. Let them take up the graves they want to dig for all Jews (and , in fact, all non-muslims).

      • 8 votes
      #3.1 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:22 AM EDT
      Reply

      Perhaps someday these terrorist supporters will smarten up.

      • 7 votes
      Reply#4 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:08 AM EDT

      Because every Muslim a Jewish government puts in jail must be a terrorist, it has nothing to due with Isreals racism, because jews can't be racist- World War II proves that. I mean, if Isreal is racist, playing the race card wouldn't work!

      • 2 votes
      #4.1 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:25 PM EDT

      But you, of cause, know that every Muslim whom the Jewish governmnet puts into jail has to be innocent, because all jews are bound to be racist, while Muslims can not possibly be guilty of anything, because the less powerful party has to be innocent.

      Right?

      • 3 votes
      #4.2 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:40 AM EDT

      Will someone please tell Eli that the Jews and Arabs share the same race? DNA testing has shown that they share a common ancestor, just as the Bible says. This is a war of brothers...and as any American can tell you, that's the worst kind.

        #4.3 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:09 PM EDT

        Your comment about genetics is dead on, but you should have directed it against Thomas. Eli was just mocking him.

          #4.4 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:34 PM EDT
          Reply

          Hold on hunger striking prisoners!

          I'm dispatching the:

          Waaambulance!!!!

          • 11 votes
          Reply#5 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:20 AM EDT

          They haven't the courage to die of starvation. These people are as cowardly as any on earth. Desert vermin and nothing more. They don't deserve the world's sympathy only scorn. They want to get out? Drop them in the middle of the Sahara and they'll be free with thousands of square miles to inhabit and develop. Saharastan will be an oasis in no time with such intelligent, industrious people. After all, they are distant cousins to the Jews who have made Israel a garden of farms, industrial complexes, lovely towns and modern cities. If they are descendants of Abraham, they must have a little of his DNA.

          • 10 votes
          Reply#6 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:45 AM EDT

          Nonviolence resistance to Israeli exploitation and abuse is the only path left for the Palestinians. For decades Israel has imposed martial law on the Palestinians stripping them of their homes, farms, family reunification and human rights. All the while Israel and the USA have been subsidizing immigrant Jews to relocate onto Palestinian land. Then the Israeli government allows both the Jewish settlers and the Israeli military to assault the Palestinians.

          The Jewish settlers are a cowardly group of zealots that take pride in attacking Palestinian women, children and the elderly. They hide behind God while damaging Judaism. However the Palestinians are pursuing nonviolence in their struggle for freeedom and independence.

          The Palestinians are the modern day freedom fighters in the traditions of the American Revolution and the European partisans that resisted Nazi occupation.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#7 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:14 AM EDT

          WGN 595618......................,

          Well said my friend. You hit the nail on the head.

          Everyone acts like they don't understand the Palestinians struggle...that they don't have the rights. I use an example of anyone who owns a home, paying the mortgage, taxes, insurance and upkeep who one day decides to apply for a permit to build an additon on the home. When at the town hall to apply , they are tod their name is not on the deed, rather it says the owner of the property is someone else (in their case, a Jewish party is named).

          And what happened with the UN meeting where Palestine was to have a say ? It seems like that's fallen off their (the UN) "to do " list.

          • 2 votes
          #7.1 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:04 AM EDT

          The best thing the Palestinians could do is stop screwing with Israel and start building on the Med. They have a great coast line and beautiful weather....but no....just living a peaceful life is for suckers. Better to take the Western money and put it in some theif's bank account and blow themselves up. That is the will of Allah!

          • 3 votes
          #7.2 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:05 AM EDT

          Funny you should mention owning a home, Cheryl. You would probably start by finding a realtor...like the one whom the Palestinians sentenced to death, for selling another Palestinian's home to an Israeli.

          • 2 votes
          #7.3 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:24 PM EDT

          You are definitely living in an alternative reality!

            #7.4 - Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:16 AM EDT
            Reply

            Hunger strikes eh? Wow does anybody else see the parallels between that and the hunger strike members of the IRA participated in in the 1980s? And look at where they are at now (joint power holding in Northern Ireland via Sinn Fein)

            ps this article is pretty lazy, not much info at all

            • 3 votes
            Reply#8 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:05 AM EDT

            Wow does anybody else see the parallels between that and the hunger strike members of the IRA participated in in the 1980s? And look at where they are at now

            The IRA agreed to disarm, as I recall.

            • 1 vote
            #8.1 - Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:26 PM EDT

            Sure they publically agreed, but they haven’t as all they have done is hidden their weapons, why there still are IRA weapon caches found in Northern Ireland today not to mention the few attacks last year that were attributed to IRA splinter groups too they are still armed, it's just that since the majority have what they want they have little reason to use them now

            • 1 vote
            #8.2 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:46 AM EDT
            Reply

            This hunger strike is a good thing! If they do it right, there will be 1200 less prisoners to house, feed and cause trouble.

            • 8 votes
            Reply#9 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:29 AM EDT

            Absolutely right! There are so many other idiotic morons in the world they won't even be missed!

            • 2 votes
            #9.1 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:31 PM EDT
            Reply

            That'll cut down on the cost of incarceration.If Palistinians are so beloved by their fellow-tribesmen,why have they waited 'til modern times to come up w a homeland?Oops no more land.Don't take Israels,get some from all your arab brothers.

            • 4 votes
            Reply#10 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:36 AM EDT

            Send 'em to Syria

              #10.1 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:55 PM EDT
              Reply

              I support these cowardly terrorists all the way in this endeavor, they just better not chicken out before they get to the end.

              • 7 votes
              Reply#11 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:46 AM EDT

              What is the point with hunger strike? Kill yourself? Thats what the isreal wants you to do.

              Instead, they should do their time, get out, blow themselves up taking bunch of israelis with them. Then isreal will be begging for the peace talks...

              • 1 vote
              Reply#12 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:07 PM EDT

              you and your hate-filled Muslim brothers can go blow yourselves up for all I care, just stop killing other people when you do it.

              • 10 votes
              #12.1 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:15 PM EDT

              What's your problem Allblabla? Is your diaper too tight again, or are you forgetting to take them from the drawer instead of those from the bucket? Those from the bucket will always give you a poopie attitude!

              • 3 votes
              #12.2 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:28 PM EDT

              you and your hate-filled Muslim brothers can go blow yourselves up for all I care

              What choices palestinians have left?

              Ever since they were given the right to govern themselves, they thought they got it made.

              They now painfully realize that isreal put them in a position they can no longer use violence because isreal is loking for excuse to jump on them ,plus, world opinion will turn against palestinians..

              So, it is a matter of time some lunatic will say hey nobody is listening to us anymore unless somebody got hurt, then it will go back to infitada years.

              • 1 vote
              #12.3 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:40 PM EDT

              What choices palestinians have left?

              I know it's awfully hard for Muslims, but they could always try to behave like civilized human beings.

              • 5 votes
              #12.4 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:40 PM EDT

              I know it's awfully hard for Muslims, but they could always try to behave like civilized human beings.

              Come on, thats not fair... Everybody thinks muslims look like acting "uncivilized, wild stone age creatures". You just have to look CNN etc; What we saw in egypt, tunusia, palestine tells all...

              But that does not make them the guilty party, just because they have very difficult time expressing themselves.

              Let me give you an example: About 3-4 weeks ago, here at MSNBC an early morning show by Chris hayes( he is one of my favorite hosts) discussed the isreali-palestinian issue.

              On the show, there is this lady "Mizrachi", very well mannered, calculated, articulate..Defending isreal..

              on the other side, two ladies; One could not speak english and shy, the other one was so animated, she could not put together a solid sentence.

              So, I am looking at them, listening to Mizrachi's BS, but somehow, thinking she makes a lot more sense than the two would be palestinian defenders.. Imagine how it reflects to mainstream americans and rednecks.

              • 1 vote
              #12.5 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:39 PM EDT

              I concur with some of your points, they clearly don't want other opinions expressed, MSN is EXTREMELY biased, and so far everything appears to be almost like your being shown a particular set of data, alot of which later proved false or misworded (convienient) most of the time. Like you said with the representatives, they hand picked those they know would lose, AND BEFORE IM CALLED RACIST, I AM BLAMING ISREAL INFLUENCE AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION. Because we all know they like to play the race card every two seconds they lose.

              • 1 vote
              #12.6 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:21 PM EDT

              So, you are accusing Israel of pulling the "racist" card, while you are pulling the "racist" card.

              Life is full of paradoxes.

              • 2 votes
              #12.7 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:53 AM EDT

              Abdallah, I think the Palestinans got a bad deal from EVERYONE in the Middle East. The Israelis did not let them return after the fighting was over and they had their land stolen. Their fellow Arabs treat them like dirt.

              BUT AFTER ALL THIS TIME the need to move on and enjoy the coast line. If the Pals spent half the time on building a nice place to live as they spend on pissing and moaning about the land they lost, they would be living in paradise. But no...there is no power in living in peace and working for a living. Better to talk sh!t and find some fool to blow himself up.

              • 2 votes
              #12.8 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:13 AM EDT

              Abdallah - Abbas "could" stop using settlements as an excuse (and virtually everything else as an excuse) and could come to the negotiating table and negotiate. (for longer than a month without throwing a hissy fit)

              A more serious question though.

              Do you think that Abbas hesitates because he thinks that someone from Hamas or another militant group will kill him if he signs a peace treaty with Israel (a la Anwar Sadat)? (and no, i dont think Netanyahu or any Israeli politician is afraid of an Israeli retaliation [a la Yitzhak Rabin[)

              • 3 votes
              #12.9 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:08 AM EDT

              Eli I don't know where the F your getting the idea I pulled the race card from, please show me. And I am being completely serious here, I don't see it. No one no matter what race, religion, or any other of their personal affliations has special treatment, and Isreal sure demands it whenever it wants the US to do something.

              • 1 vote
              #12.10 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:03 AM EDT

              Do you think that Abbas hesitates because he thinks that someone from Hamas or another militant

              I think abbas is scared hames will start infitada and sucide attacks, which will give isreal reason not to continue negotiations....And the world opinion will shift in favor of isreal.

              However, I think isreali pm or others currently in charge do worry about inside retaliation.. Remember, Rabin was one of the greatest visionaries with compassion who commanded and received world's respect.

              Current isreali govermnet is going the other direction, a very confrontational and dangerous policy with potential disasterous consequences.

                #12.11 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:42 PM EDT

                I agree with you in that another intifada would be extremely counterproductive to all of the ground the Palestinian cause has gained so far.

                I do think Netanyahu thinks that inside retaliation is a possibility, but i dont think he "fears" it per se. I do think that Abbas is petrified that if he makes a deal that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc... does not find acceptable, or feels that betrays the Palestinian national cause... i think he fears (for good reason) that they will go after him/his family.

                • 2 votes
                #12.12 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:39 AM EDT

                Come on, thats not fair... Everybody thinks muslims look like acting "uncivilized, wild stone age creatures". You just have to look CNN etc; What we saw in egypt, tunusia, palestine tells all...

                just ask Laura Logan

                  #12.13 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:58 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  Let's see: In Iran or Syria, they would just torture you until you quit or died, or just shoot you. In Afghanistan, they would just blow you up. In Egypt, they would torture you or just let you die. Bad ol' Isreal for capturing soldiers trained and sent to kill people and destroy the country and NOT letting them go because Hamas and Hezbellah won't make any fair deal..

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#13 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:08 PM EDT

                  You are all ignoring the point, they are complaining about being held WITHOUT CHARGE- that is the topic, not your opinion on muslims, (which are all racist and closed minded to the fullest extent,) not that there not being tortured like the children in Syria (which I am sure you have some racial excuse not to care there too, because caring is inconvenient on your consience, but the fact that Isreal is PROVOKING and holding people without charge indeffinatly. Hmmm sounds like the patriot act all over again...OH WAIT

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#14 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:16 PM EDT

                  Oh we get it and the same thing is coming to America. The passing of s1867 and hr3676 has sealed Americans into the same strategy of controlling those who protest. The difference is when Muslims protest in Palestine they more often than not get violent. After several decades of dealing with violent Muslims do you really think that Israel would not do what it needs to do to protect its citizens?

                  In America if you protest peacefully on federal land you can be charged with a felony and the government can take any American citizen they deem a threat and hold them indefinitely without trial. Welcome to Global Rule.

                  These violent Muslims have played into the hands of those powers who would deny everyone the right to choose their own path. Americans are beginning to wake up to this but as long as Islam remains aggressive the west will have no option but to defend its security and Americans will pay the price for it with further losses to their freedoms.

                  • 2 votes
                  #14.1 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:48 AM EDT

                  You clearly don't understand, we need to ignore them for now and focus on the fact that were on the verge of martial law, and they are preparing for it. As far as I am concerned were not violent enough because our current government is keeping us under its abusive, invasive, and failing control. And Isreal still has no right not to say what they're being charged with, period, niether does America.

                  • 1 vote
                  #14.2 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:01 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  Being a prisoner in an Israeli prison is a better life than being ruled by Hamas.

                  In an Israeli prison you get free meals, safety, freedom to worship.

                  In Hamas land, you get terrorists who isolate you, who want to launch rockets at Israel and then hide in your child's bedroom so Israel's retaliation kills your child.

                  Israel should let them starve. I do not know who these prisoners are individually, but I am willing to bet that they are mostly killers of innocent people.

                  • 7 votes
                  Reply#15 - Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:14 PM EDT

                  I remember the photos that came out when the Jewish government exchanged 100 Palestinian prisoners for 1 Jewish soldier. All the Palestinians looked fit and healthy but the Jewish soldier was emaciated pale and looked frail. Now the Palestinians want to starve themselves. Given how well the Jewish people feed their prisoners it should take at least a month for their starvation tactics to kill them. But hey they will go to their heaven with dark eyed beauties to satisfy their every fantasy. Too bad their religion is so focused on their crotch.

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#16 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:35 AM EDT

                  Good! It saves Israel money to not feed them for however long they are on strike.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#17 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:25 AM EDT

                  These folks are a threat to good order, period. Unfortunately since they were not killed in battle they are now pawns that the terrorists can use to their advantage in any "peace talks"; such a shame. Let them go on a hunger strike, it sure beats the alternative of suicide bombing. When these idiots kill innocents no matter who they are they will not get their 77 virgins but will instead ask to make a phone call to their buddies to tell them this killing innocents is not all it's cracked up to be, that is if they have a quarter and Satan lets them make the call. What a bunch of lunatics. Nice loving religion. Mohammad said he never met a Jew or a Christian he did not either kill or convert. Than is what the Koran teaches. The literacy rate in muslin nations averages 62.0% so you are dealing with uneducated people in spite of the fact that their prophet said that they must educate themselves and seek knowledge seems to fall on deaf ears.

                    Reply#18 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:18 PM EDT

                    Perhaps Palestinian realtors should go on a hunger strike...because one of them has been sentenced to death for selling a Palestinian's house to an Israeli.

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#19 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:11 PM EDT

                    It would break my heart is all 40 of them starved to death.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#20 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:12 PM EDT

                    1,200 fewer terrorists!

                    We should be celebrating, and hoping that more of the Palestinian trash join the hunger strike!

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#21 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:29 PM EDT

                    Nice matching brown shirts. Now Israel can save the cost of feeding these roaches.

                      Reply#22 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:46 PM EDT

                      Lots of insensitive comments here, I have an excellent book that may open your eyes, "The Israeli Holocaust Against The Palestinians", by Hoffman and Leiberman, avail @ Amazon. I suggest all posting get a copy and research the facts for yourselves you will be completely disgusted at what this book uncovers, but it is TRUE!

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#23 - Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:41 PM EDT

                      I suggest you shove that worthless piece of crap where the sun does not shine!

                      Support the Israelis!

                      • 3 votes
                      #23.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:07 AM EDT

                      I have an excellent book that may open your eyes, "The Israeli Holocaust Against The Palestinians",

                      I bet you keep your copy next to your other copy of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion".

                      • 1 vote
                      #23.2 - Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:30 PM EDT

                      "The Israeli Holocaust Against the Palestinians" by the notorious Holocaust denier and anti-Jewish polemicist Michael Hoffman II. Hoffman, the author of "Judaism's Strange Gods", maintains a website called www.revisionisthistory.org. The opening text of this website reads as follows: "Areas of interest which Hoffman has pioneered: Judaism: the anti-Biblical religion of racism, idolatry, superstition and deceit."

                      That must spark some interesting interfaith dialogue...

                      as must Mr. Hoffman's writings promoting the blood libel, calling Jews "parasites" and denying the existence of gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps. Here's a list of some of Hoffman's writings from a single page of links (the website has many, many more, as well as years of bizarre commentary on current events):

                      The Truth About the Talmud: Jewish Supremacist Hate Literature
                      The Jewish Century
                      Shavuot Pogrom: "Nazis, Christians, Whores and Goyim"
                      A Debate: Is Spielberg Guilty of Falsifying the Talmud in his Movie "Schindler's List"? The Truth About the Racist, Chauvinist Talmud
                      The Jewish Mentality - Book I
                      On Jews and Christians Living in the Same Place
                      Are They "Jews" or Are They Really Khazars?
                      The Searing Racism that is a Racist Thought Crime to Expose

                      In case anyone has any doubts as to the nature and intentions of Hoffman's works, they are readily available on hundreds of websites, but the reader must be willing to visit the websites of neo-Nazis and other racists.... or the Interfaith Peace Initiative of Providence, Rhode Island.

                      [SIDE NOTE: The Interfaith Peace Initiative reading list lists Hoffman's books under the heading "By Jewish Authors" (others on the list: Norman Finkelstein, Ilan Pappe, Michael Neumann; in other words, not exactly a representative sample of Jewish opinion. The religious affiliations of other authors on the list are not specified). Of course, Hoffman isn't Jewish; for this book, he invented a co-author named Moshe Lieberman, whom he identifies as a "former researcher at Hebrew University". Interestingly, no such person has ever worked at Hebrew University as a researcher and Hoffman has been unable to produce Mr. Lieberman. Hard to believe a scholar of Hoffman's repute would make something like that up.]

                        #23.3 - Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:01 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        The food should be used then to feed the poor in Israel, instead of recalcitrant troublemakers.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#24 - Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:29 PM EDT

                        Any IAPAC Members left that did Not post any -israel "uber alles" crap ??

                          Reply#25 - Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:14 AM EDT
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