RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Hamas legislators in Ramallah have denounced statements by West Bank security services spokesman Adnan al-Dhamiri denying the detention of anyone on political or partisan background.
In a statement, they called the claim irresponsible and said that such statements would “spoil” the national reconciliation efforts.
The PLC members pointed out that the fresh statement by Dhamiri conflicted with a previous one affirming that security services under Fatah rule were in fact holding political prisoners and that they had yet to receive a presidential decree seeing to their release.
“The concept of a 'security prisoner' according to Palestinian customs and culture is one who is arrested over collaboration with the Zionist occupation and having a relationship with the occupier, and not one who engages in activities within a Palestinian faction resisting the occupation,” they clarified.
“Any person who engages in an activity with any political faction in the Palestinian arena or undertakes an activity against the occupier and has been detained on that background is a political prisoner, and should not be kept in the Palestinian Authority's prisoners for even one day, in light of the climate [supporting] genuine reconciliation.”
The statement emphasizes that the political prisoner issue should be tackled ahead of any other issues pertaining to the deal between Fatah and Hamas to form a unity government. They regarded that the issue erases doubts and restores confidence in the integrity of both signing parties and provides a positive atmosphere to complete the remaining issues pertaining to the deal.
In a related context, political prisoners in the Dhahiriyya detention center in Al-Khalil province have declared a hunger strike that would not end until demands for freedom is met or their demise.
The prisoners resumed hunger strike after going on an intermittent strike for two weeks.
The measure was taken not only because of their wrongful imprisonment but also due to the inhumane conditions inside the facility.
In a message that was leaked to the outside world, they held that the reason for their detention was the Palestinian political split, and they wondered how they could continue to be held after the signing of the truce in Cairo a few weeks back.
Commenting on Dhamiri's statement denying the existence of political prisoners, a wife of one of the prisoners wondered: “Is my husband detained as a criminal? Has he stolen or killed? Don't they fear Allah regarding our captives?”
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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