Video – Solidarity protest with Palestinian hunger strikers

SUPPORTERS of Palestinian prisoners currently on hunger strike in Israeli prisons held a solidarity demonstration outside Leinster House on Thursday to mark the 50th day of the mass hunger strike.

Over 200 Palestinian prisoners are taking part in the mass hunger strike in protest against Israel's use of administrative detention, which is basically internment by remand, and the ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

Some prisoners have been held for more than five years without charge or trial. Over 80 of the protesting prisoners have been hospitalised.

Speaking to An Phoblacht at the demonstration, Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe TD said:

"I'm calling on Israel's Government to end its systematic use of administrative detention and to put in place negotiations which could facilitate the ending of this hunger strike and save the lives of these prisoners."

The demonstration was organised by the Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouthi and All Palestinian Political Prisoners and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC).

Others taking part in the protest included Sinn Féin's Dessie Ellis TD, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Michael Colreavy;  Richard Boyd Barrett TD (People Before Profit), Joan Collins TD (United Left) and Independent TD Thomas Pringle.