Three internationals imprisoned by Israel declare hunger strike

Friday November 21, 2008 04:54 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Three international peace activists imprisoned by Israel after the Israeli Navi abducted them as they were accompanying Palestinian fishermen, stated on Thursday that they are on hunger strike until the Israeli authorities return the three Palestinian fishing boats the Navy confiscated and is holding at the Ashdod port.

The National Campaign Against the Siege issued a press release stating that the Scottish activist, Andrew Muncie, 34, the Italian activist, Vittorio Arrigoni, 33, a scottish British citizen, and the American activist, Darlene Wallach, 47, imprisoned at the Al Ramla Israeli prison, are currently awaiting trial and Israel intends to deport them.

They started a hunger strike demanding Israel to return the confiscated boats without causing any damage to them as the boasts are the only source of livelihood to dozens of Palestinian families.

The Campaign expressed its appreciation and respect to the international supporters who insists on acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

It also expressed worry on the fate of the arrested activists and demanded their immediate and safe release.

The three activists were kidnapped along with fifteen Palestinian fishermen. The attack violates the international law and all international treaties.   

The friends of Freedom and Justice Committee in Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, reported the fifteen Palestinian fishermen and the three international Human Rights Observers (HRO's) were surrounded on November 18 by the Israeli Navy and taken from their boats 7 miles off the coast of Deir al Balah, in the Gaza Strip.

The fishermen and the HRO's were transferred from 3 separate boats to the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3 boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.

The Human Rights Observers are Andrew Muncie, a Scottish British citizen, Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian citizen, and Darlene Wallach, an American citizen.

They have been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) since they entered Gaza on ships with the first Free Gaza Movement voyage on the 23rd August 2008.

All internationals have previous experience working with the ISM in the West Bank. Fellow activists have been unable to establish contact with the HRO's or with the fishermen since they were abducted. Since their arrival, the ISM volunteers have been regularly accompanying Palestinian fishermen who are regularly attacked by Israeli navy vessels from as little as 3km from shore.

gaza strip | israeli attacks | news report saed at imemc dot org