Press Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Palestinian Prisoners’ Day

April 17, 2021

Palestinian people commemorate Prisoners’ Day on the 17th of April every year to show solidarity and support to the Palestinian prisoners in “Israel” jails.

This year, the anniversary coincides with large-scale preparations by 450 administrative prisoners to go on a hunger strike, in order to demand their freedom and end administrative detention once and for all.

The administrative detention allows “Israel” to jail Palestinians for six months without trial or evidence, and it can be renewed over and over again, which is considered illegal under international conventions.

It should be known that the cause of Palestinian prisoners in “Israeli” jails is not political, but human, as “Israel” still detains in catastrophic circumstances more than 140 children, 40 women, and 700 patients.

In fact, the cause of Palestinian prisoners embodies the suffering of the entire Palestinian people. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza calls upon the international community and the free activists of the world to exert pressure on “Israel” to:

First, end the unjust policy of administrative detention which clearly contradicts international conventions.

Second, immediate release of children, women, old people, and patients from “Israeli” jails, and treat them appropriately.

Third, provide Palestinian prisoners with basic rights granted by international conventions, including the rights of receiving visits and proper medical care, and end solitary confinement immediately.

Fourth, immediate release of elected representatives from “Israeli” jails, and prevent “Israel” from arresting the candidates of upcoming Palestinian elections.

Fifth, immediate release of the prisoners who were freed in the “Shalit deal” and were rearrested in contradiction with the agreement, which was nurtured by regional and international players.

Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends its best greetings to our hero prisoners in “Israeli” jails, and calls upon Palestinians, regardless of their political affiliations, to commemorate this national day by showing solidarity with prisoners and their families.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Gaza – Palestine