According to the Palestinian news agency Ma’an, the imprisoned Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak, on hunger strike in an Israeli jail for 92 days, agreed to start eating today [Monday 18th June] in a deal that will see him released on July 10th 2012. See the full story here: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=496459
Over the past number of days, FIFA’s Sepp Blatter, FIFPro (“the voice of all professional footballers in the world”), footballing legend Eric Cantona, Show Racism the Red Card and film director Ken Loach (‘Looking for Eric’) have all made statements expressing concern for the life of Mahmoud Sarsak, a 25-year-old Palestinian national team footballer who has been on hunger strike for 87 days in an Israeli prison protesting against his three year internment without trial. (Note – you can sign a petition calling on UEFA President Michel Platini to help secure release of ahmoud Sarsak held by UEFA member Israel … Continue reading
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign has sent the following message to all elected TDs in the Irish parliament. We encourage supporters to contact An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mr. Eamon Gilmore TD, and urge him to act immediately. Contact: eamon.gilmore@oireachtas.ie Note: Please be polite and respectful at all times (not that we need to tell you that). ============== Dear [elected representative], Please see below for an urgent appeal from a coalition of Palestinian and Israeli regarding the lives of two Palestinian political prisoners who are currently on hunger strike. Today they were finally allowed access to independent … Continue reading
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) today condemned the detention of Nabil Al-Raee, the Artistic Director of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank. Martin O’Quigley, IPSC Chairperson said, “the IPSC condmens this act of cultural repression by the Israeli occupation forces. The Freedom Theatre is an internationally renowned and respected artistic company. In light of this, and previous similar attacks on the theatre, this abduction can only be seen as a targeted act of intimidation and harassment of Palestinian artists by Israel’s apartheid regime”. Mr. Al-Raee was taken at approximately 3:15 am this morning when … Continue reading
Today, Tuesday 5th June, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) called on the Irish Government to intervene to save the lives of two Palestinian political prisoners, Mahmoud Sarsak and Akram Rikhawi who have been on hunger strike for 80 days and 55 days respectively. The IPSC also called on the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the Irish Football Association (IFA), UEFA and FIFA to publicly raise the issue of Mr. Sarsak who is a member of the Palestinian national soccer team. Mahmoud Sarsak from Gaza’s Rafah refugee camp was detained by the Israeli military on July 22, 2009, when he … Continue reading
EDIT 29 March 2012: According to breaking reports in the media, Hana has ended her hunger strike and will be exiled to Gaza. We are glad that Hana, who was in extremely bad condition when last seen by medics, will be freed and hope that her strike has not resulted in any lasting ill effects. However, we are disgusted that instead of releasing Hana – who has been held without charge for more than two years in total – back to her home, the Israeli state seeks to dictate the whereabouts in which someone can live. Hana is a Palestinian … Continue reading
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign marked International Women’s Day 2012 with a demonstration in Dublin city centre calling for the release of Palestinian hunger striker and political prisoner Hana’ Shalabi and celebrating women’s resistance to Israeli Apartheid and occupation. Independents Maureen O’Sullivan TD and Senator David Norris stopped by during the action to show their solidarity. Wearing locks over their mouths, solidarity activists assembled in the shadow of the Spire on O’Connell Street, and for two hours stood with banners, placards and leaflets (download PDF) calling for the release of Hana’ Shalabi, who was on the 22nd day of her hunger … Continue reading
Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, International Women’s Day Statement, Thursday 8th March 2012 To mark International Women’s Day 2012, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign wishes to highlight the case of Palestinian political prisoner and hunger striker Hana’ Shalabi. 29-year-old Hana’ has been on hunger strike for 22 days. She is protesting against her internment without trial, and brutal and degrading treatment at the hands of the Israeli state. After two weeks on hunger strike, decomposition of muscle tissue (including the heart muscle) commences, leaving the faster in a vulnerable position. Who is Hana’ Shalabi? Prior to her current imprisonment, Hana had been detained by Israel for a two year period … Continue reading