International Volunteers Stage Protest From Prison

International Volunteers Stage Protest From Prison

At 7:00 pm tonight, Tuesday July 15, local Palestinian time, eight peace workers from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), currently being held by the Israeli Occupation Forces at the police station in Ariel settlement in the West Bank, stopped eating in protest against the brutal treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Palestinian prisoners across Israel have been engaging in similar protests to demand their release as mandated by the recent cease-fire. The ISM activists are also demanding their own immediate and unconditional release, as they were arrested while peacefully protesting illegal policies of the Israeli Occupation Forces.

Four were arrested Wednesday July 9 and four more were arrested July 10, both groups engaging in non-violent activities. They have not been granted bail at the request of the prosecution, which claims that they are Â"a high security riskÂ". Their judicial hearings have been postponed several times and they have not been given a date for their next hearing. Two Israeli citizens arrested participating in the same activities have already been released and all charges against them dropped.

For reports on the situations for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, please see the following links:

Arrests, imprisonment and torture http://www.pchr.org/Intifada/Arrests_torture_stat.htm

Administrative Detention - Statistics http://www.btselem.org/English/Administrative_Detention/Statistics.asp

Palestinians held by Israeli security forces - Minors http://www.btselem.org/English/Statistics/Imprisoned.asp#Anchor-47857

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