Palestinians plan Thursday strike to support prisoners

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - A committee on Tuesday urged Palestinians to stage a general strike in the West Bank and Gaza Strip later this week to show solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

"We call on our people to stage a daylong general strike Thursday," read a statement issued by the newly established National Committee to Support the Hunger Strike, which includes representatives of several Palestinian political factions.

“The strike will affect all aspects of life in the West Bank and Gaza -- commercial, educational, governmental and private sector," it added.

The committee went on to urge Palestinians to take part in a number of planned sit-ins to show solidarity with Palestinian hunger strikers in different cities.

"We’re also calling for the expansion of ongoing boycott campaigns targeting Israeli products," the statement added.

Numerous calls by Palestinian activists have also circulated on social media urging Palestinians to stage demonstrations near Israeli army checkpoints in the West Bank.

More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners began an open-ended hunger strike on April 17 to demand more prison visits, better medical care and improved treatment of female inmates.

The hunger-strike is being spearheaded by long-term Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti, who has languished in an Israeli jail for more than a decade.

According to Palestinian figures, Israel is currently holding more than 6,000 Palestinians -- including 57 women and 300 children -- at 24 prisons and detention centers.