Protesting beatings and solitary confinement

Administrative detainees on hunger strike, protesting beatings and solitary confinement

Palestinian political prisoners in the Israeli prison of Etzion are on hunger strike in protest of ill-treatment. The prison is part of the Israeli settlement bloc built on confiscated land in the Bethlehem District, southwest of the city.

The hunger strikers are imprisoned, but have not been charged with crimes or afforded trials. They are being held under Administrative Detention. Palestinian Prisoner Society lawyer Hussein Sheikh met with several strikers who said the nonviolent protest began last week in response to degrading treatment by officers and soldiers.

Sheikh said after a meeting on Thursday with detainee Abdel Azim Natshe from Hebron that solitary confinement and beatings were among the major points that strikers were contending.

The lawyer reported that the Israeli guards carried sticks and gas cylinders while the Palestinian prisoners refused to be counted. Sheikh says that conditions in the detention camp are intolerable due to the actions of the soldiers and administrators.

There is also an acute shortage of blankets while the food is inedible. During transport to military courts and while awaiting the renewal of sentences, Palestinians are not allowed to use bathrooms. Many have urinated in their clothes.

Through the PPS lawyer, the people inside this Israeli prison are asking for help from the Red Cross.

ENDS

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