As 1,600 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails launched an open-ended hunger strike, and scores of national and international organisations released press statements demanding an end to administrative detention and the appalling treatment of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli authorities, thousands of people marched to the International Red Cross in Gaza City to commemorate Palestinian Prisoners’ day.

All factions were represented, and unified in their demands.

Mothers of prisoners, children of prisoners, and ex-prisoners were all there, making their point in one way or another.

Even the police were out in force – not to arrest, but to call for freedom.

Some of those present told me afterwards why they had come, and what the international community should do to help.

[Click on a photograph to see a larger image]

On the march

to the International Red Cross

All factions were there

unified by their demands

Mothers

and children

even the police

sitting in

or standing up, for Palestinian prisoners.

ENDS

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