Press Statement from the National Islamic Factions

Press Statement from the National Islamic Factions

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The prisoners recorded a great victory in the Battle for Dignity and Freedom, regaining their self-respect and their status before the world. They also played a huge role in uniting our parties, our nation, and the Palestinian people, proving that they can strongly resist the occupation, and reclaiming their position as the first priority for all Palestinian factions.

The prisoners appreciate the role that the National Committee for Support of Prisoners and the local factions played in standing by our prisoners and being in solidarity with them. We are especially grateful to our Egyptian brothers for standing by our prisoners and making this agreement possible, they played a big role in achieving this success.

We call upon the Egyptians to keep on protecting our prisoners, and to make sure that this agreement is honoured, and we ask them to do their best to stop Israeli violations against them, especially to end the suffering of the prisoners Mahmoud Al-Sarsak, Akram Al-Rakhawi, Dirar Al-Sisi and Awad Al-Saedi, who are still on an open strike or are in solitary confinement. Their health situation is very serious and they remain held under bad circumstances without appropriate health care, a deliberate act by the Israeli occupation.

The Israeli occupation is not abiding by the agreement, keeping in mind that the prisoners are still being detained without specific charges being directed against them, which illustrates the unfair detention our Palestinian people are subjected to in violation of international resolutions and humanitarian agreements.

So, we the National Committee for Support of Prisoners confirms the following:

First, we hold the Israeli occupation responsible for the lives of the prisoners Mahmoud Al-Sarsak, Akram Al-Rakhawi and Dirar Al-Sisi and all the other Palestinian and Arab prisoners, and we warn the occupation not to retreat from implementing the agreement that was sponsored by the Egyptians, especially given that since the agreement was signed last Tuesday, 25 prisoners have had their administrative detention orders extended.

Second, we call upon all human rights organisations to fulfil their role in helping and supporting the prisoners, and to improve their lives.

Third, we call upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide urgent medical care for prisoners, especially those still on hunger strike, and in solitary confinement.

Fourth, we call upon local, Arabic, and international media organisations to take concrete action on the prisoners’ cause and to expose all the Israeli violations against them, and for local media in Palestine to dedicate more time and create a channel for prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Fifth, we remind you all to remain standing by the prisoners Mahmoud Al-Sarsak, Akram Al-Rakhawi, Dirar Al-Sisi and Awad Al-Saedi, and advise that on Monday there will be an event at 10am in front of the Red Cross. We call upon the Palestinian people and all the foundations and associations to take part actively on that day to support the prisoners.

Finally, we confirm to our prisoners, the heroes, that all Palestinian parties everywhere will keep supporting you by all means possible, until you finally have your freedom.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SUPPORT OF PRISONERS
25 May 22012
GAZA CITY

Translated by Mukarram AbuAlouf, Ibraheem Ghunaim, Yousef Aljamal

National Committee for Support of Prisoners

ENDS

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