Palestinian-Americans demand Israel & P.A. act immediately to prevent death of hunger strikers

A group of independent Palestinian-Americans call upon both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to immediately release the hunger striking Palestinian prisoners and to comply with their demands to receive their basic human rights. Mahmoud Sarsak, a palestinian soccer star, is in imminent danger of death as he reaches his 92nd day on hunger strike.

Sarsak, a Gazan who three years ago received an Israeli permit to play soccer in the West Bank but was arrested by Israeli authorities upon arrival, is the only prisoner held under the vague "Unlawful Combatant" law. For three years Israel has continually renewed his detention without charge, evidence or trial, or even an allegation of affiliation with combatant groups or illegal activity.

Akram Al- Rikhawi, a diabetic who has reached his 67th day on hunger strike, was promised by the Israeli Prison service to be released in May, but has yet to be released. Both Rikhawi and Sarsak have lost around on third of their body weight and, according to Physicians for Human Rights, Israel, are both at imminent risk of death.

While these heroic, non-violent resisters struggle for their lives, the Palestinian Authority has remained virtually silent regarding their plight and instead is focusing it's efforts on UN bids and it's leader's own political gain. We demand that the Palestinian Authority pressure Israel politically by ceasing all coordination and cooperation with Israeli Authorities, that it focuses its political attention entirely on the hunger strikers and that it uses its international reach to raise awareness abroad of the plight of these political prisoners. more

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