Palestinian prisoners aren't hunger-striking, spokeswoman says

YAAKOV LAPPIN
Jerusalem Post
06-28-2011
Palestinian prisoners aren't hunger-striking, spokeswoman says
Byline: YAAKOV LAPPIN
Edition: Daily
Section: News
Type: News

There is no evidence of a hunger strike by Palestinian security prisoners at any of the country's prisons, a Prisons Service spokeswoman told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

The comments came after several reports appeared on Sunday claiming that a Hamas body responsible for prisoners had coordinated a hunger strike in response to steps by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to limit certain conditions for the prisoners, such as high-speed Internet access, frequent family visits, and courses resulting in MA and PhD degrees.
Netanyahu announced the steps after Hamas refused a Red Cross request for a sign of life from abducted soldier Gilad Schalit or access to him.

"There have been no reports of a hunger strike or a return of meals," the Prisons Service spokeswoman said.

Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said he was not concerned by the threat of a hunger strike, Israel Radio reported.

"They can strike as much as they like," he was quoted as saying.

Aharonovitch spoke during a ceremony to launch an urban policing initiative.(c) Copyright Jerusalem Post. All rights reserved.

Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: THE DECISION to limit conditions for Palestinian prisoners
has not forced them to go on hunger strikes, a Prisons Service
spokeswoman said.

(Copyright 2011 The Jerusalem Post)