Despite the brutality and dehumanization of the Israeli prison regime, Palestinian detainees have turned the prison into a site of confrontation where they assert their political agency and will to live.
Hunger strikes, collective actions to improve prison conditions, escapes, and the smuggling out of political writings are some of the means through which Palestinian prisoners resist their imprisonment, challenge the prison system, and join the wider struggle for liberation. So tonight letβs commit to build this campaign β next landmark date β April 5th Palestinian Childrenβs Day and after that April 17th Pal Prisoners Day. Watch this space for details.
Below are some details about just four of the 66 women prisoners
Farrah Abu Ayyash – Farrah is a journalist, held without charge and subjected to torture. She was chained to a pipe dripping foul water and dogs were let lose to bite her legs. After being held in a dark cell with cockroaches, the guards took her out and tried to force her to kiss the Israeli flag. Farrah refused.
Journalists are targeted by Israel for telling the truth: Farrah is disappointed that the worldβs journalists have not spoken enough about this abuse of their profession.
Fidaa Assaf: Fidaa has been held in prison since February on charges of βincitementβ. She was diagnosed with leukaemia two months before her arrest and has deteriorated steadily during her imprisonment. Her illness has now reached a critical stage and Fidaa needs urgent and intensive treatment which she is not being given in prison.
Denial of proper medical care is a commonplace abuse in Israelβs jails.
Layan Nasir: Layan is a student at Birzeit university. She was sentenced in her absence to seven and a half months in prison for normal student activism. Layan had already spent 8 months last year in prison with no charges or trial. She is a Palestinian Christian and her case has been taken up by Church authorities in Palestine and here, as yet to no avail.
Students are often targeted by Israel if they speak out against unlawful occupation
Raghad Al-Fanni – Raghad was arrested and detained without charge or trial in 2023 for 13 months in the notorious Danon prison. On release she spoke out about the cruelty, the beatings, the denial of basic necessities and the use of solitary confinement. Raghad was arrested again this year β once more with no charges or trial and is still in prison.
This repeated use of Administrative Detention means that one in five Palestinians will be imprisoned in their lifetime.
