Republican Youth show solidarity with Palestinian Hungerstrikers

Picture by Carlos latuff

Members of the Coney Kilpatrick East Tyrone Republican Youth Committee recently organised a demonstration outside the police barracks in Coalisland to show their solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners who are currently on hunger strike. The conditions inflicted upon the prisoners are so severe and unjust that over 1500 Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike. Most began their hunger strike on April 17th but two prisoners, Bilal Diab and Tha’er Halahlah, are in severe medical danger having both been without food for over 70 days. 

The prisoners are planning to continue their hunger strike until the Israeli Government recognise and act on their demands, which are as follow:

1) That International Law and its provisions with regard to administrative detention are respected.

2) That Israel ends its policy of administrative detention.

3) That Israel ends its policy of keeping prisoners in solitary confinement.

4) That prisoners are allowed to see their families.

SFRY activist and member of the National Youth Council, Álanna Campbell commented:

“Myself and three of my comrades, Cathal Óg Donnelly, Ruairi McLaughlin and Mickey McCrossan have just returned from Gaza as part of a republican delegation. Whilst there we were honoured to meet Hana Al Shalabi shortly after she ended her 43 day long hunger strike and I was able to present her with an Easter Lily. Having met the prisoner’s and their families and having read about the conditions inflicted upon the Palestinians in Israeli jails, I am filled with anger. Hunger strike is always the last resort of an oppressed people, and the fact that Palestinians have to turn to this as a method of protest is disgraceful in this day and age. 

In 1981 Ireland lost 10 brave volunteers who went on hunger strike to achieve their demands, and it is a sad reality that in Israeli prisons we have a similar situation. The policy of administrative detention is exactly that of internment in Ireland, and it means Palestinians are detained indefinitely without charge or trial and without any evidence against them. Many are held in solitary confinement in a tiny cell, they are permitted to only one hour of fresh air and sunlight a day, and at this time their hands and feet are bound in cuffs. The whole world needs to be aware of the situation in Palestine and the suffering and horrendous conditions inflicted and imposed on the prisoners and the Palestinians in general. It is the responsibility of young Irish Republicans to spread the message of the prisoners of Palestine and not to let them sit in a prison, while the world idly sit by, either not knowing what is going on, or worse, not caring.



Our demonstration in Coalisland today was to show our solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners and hunger strikers, it was also a means of raising awareness of the situation within our community. We placed a banner on the barracks with the words “Victory to the Palestinian Hunger Strikers” for all to see and this is just one step that we have taken to ensure that the plight of Palestine is known to our community and town. I would urge all young republicans to take similar measures and steps to show your solidarity with the Palestinian Hunger Strikers and to raise awareness in your local areas.”