- The Guardian, Sunday 3 March 2013 12.00 EST
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/03/hunger-strikers-fighting-for-palestinians-israel
My story is no different from that of many other Palestinian young
people who were born and have lived their whole lives under Israeli
occupation. At 17, I was arrested for the first time, and jailed for
two years. I was arrested again in my early 20s, at the height of the
second intifada in Ramallah, during an Israeli invasion of numerous
cities in the West Bank – what Israel called Operation
Defensive Shield. I was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges
relating to my resistance to the occupation.
I am not the first member of my family to be jailed on my people's
long march towards freedom. My grandfather, a founding member of the
PLO, was sentenced to death by the British Mandate authorities, whose laws are used by
Israel to this day to oppress my people; he escaped hours before he was
due to be executed. My brother, Fadi, was killed in 1994, aged just 16,
by Israeli forces during a demonstration in the West Bank following the
Ibrahimi mosque massacre in Hebron. Medhat, another brother, has served
19 years in prison. My other brothers, Firas, Ra'afat and Shadi were
each imprisoned for five to 11 years. My sister, Shireen, has been
arrested numerous times and has served a year in prison. My brother's
home has been destroyed. My mother's water and electricity have been
cut off. My family, along with the people of my beloved city Jerusalem,
are continuously harassed and attacked, but they continue to defend
Palestinian rights and prisoners.
After almost 10 years in prison, I was released in the
Egypt-sponsored deal between Israel and Hamas to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for
Palestinian prisoners. However, on 7 July 2012, I was arrested
again near Hizma, an area within the municipality of Jerusalem, on
charges of violating the terms of my release (that I should not leave
Jerusalem). Others who were released as part of that deal were also
arrested, some with no declared reason. Accordingly, I began a hunger
strike on 1 August to protest against my illegal imprisonment and
Israel's violation of the agreement.
My health has deteriorated greatly, but I will continue my hunger
strike until victory or martyrdom. This is my last remaining stone to
throw at the tyrants and jailers in the face of the racist occupation
that humiliates our people.
I draw my strength from all the free people in the world who want an
end to the Israeli occupation. My weak heartbeat endures thanks to this
solidarity and support; my weak voice gains its strength from voices
that are louder, and can penetrate the prison walls.
My battle is not just for my own freedom. My fellow hunger strikers,
Ayman, Tarik and Ja'afar, and I are fighting a battle for all
Palestinians against the Israeli occupation and its prisons. What I
endure is little compared to the sacrifice of Palestinians in Gaza,
where thousands have died or been injured as a result of brutal Israeli
attacks and an unprecedented and inhuman siege.
However, more support is needed. Israel could not continue its
oppression without the support of western governments. These
governments, particularly the British, which has a historic
responsibility for the tragedy of my people, should impose sanctions on
the Israeli regime until it ends the occupation, recognises Palestinian
rights, and frees all Palestinian political prisoners.
Do not worry if my heart stops. I am still alive now and even after
death, because Jerusalem runs through my veins. If I die, it is a
victory; if we are liberated, it is a victory, because either way I
have refused to surrender to the Israeli occupation, its tyranny and
arrogance.
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Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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SIGN THE JERICHO COINTELPRO PETITION!
Free All Political Prisoners!
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