[Ppnews] Palestinian Ahmad Sa’adat speaks from Israeli prison

[Political Prisoner News]

Renowned leftist from prison on rebuilding the 
movement, a new state and internal reconciliation

http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5872
23.06.09 - 08:30

Jenin / Ali Samoudi for PNN – After a nine-day 
hunger strike in nonviolent protest of solitary 
confinement and ensuing punitive measures, Ahmad 
Sa’adat spoke from Israeli prison.

A message was delivered through Palestinian 
member of the Israeli Knesset, Mohammad Barakeh.

The Secretary General of the Popular Front for 
the Liberation of Palestine and a Palestinian 
Legislative Council member told Barakeh that all 
factions must continue the dialogue.

A long-time supporter of internal reconciliation, 
the prominent leftist said the Palestinian 
dialogue must be inclusive and that the 
government was to work on an interim basis until 
general elections could be held again in the West 
Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.

The last PLC elections saw a sweeping win by 
Hamas followed by sanctions and arrests against 
the party by both the United States and Israeli administrations.

Sa’adat added his voice during this week’s 
meeting with Barakeh to the dozens calling for 
the rebuilding of the Palestine Liberation 
Organization. He said that it, along with the 
PLC, should be formed on the basis on the 
national project in simultaneous elections.

He also discussed rebuilding the Palestinian 
left, a movement disjointed during a time that a 
strong neutral voice is sorely missing on the home front.

Sa’adat's comments came during the visit of MK 
Mohammad Barakeh, Chairman of the Democratic 
Front for Peace and Equality, to the Ashkelon 
Prison. It was four years ago that Israeli forces 
stormed the PA prison in the eastern West Bank’s Jericho and took Sa’adat.

The recent hunger strike which ended after nine 
days was held, said Sa’adat, in protest of the 
policy of solitary confinement in which he had 
been held for three months. Four of his 
colleagues from the PFLP were also involved in 
the nonviolent action. Sa’adat’s health is 
reportedly good and he seemed in high spirits, 
said Barakeh upon leaving the prison.

Sa’adat said of his hunger strike that while he 
had been in solitary for three months there is a 
high number of other Palestinians who have been 
isolated for many years, including one who has been held alone for eight.

The leftist also talked about the lack of family 
visits – he has not seen his sons in four years 
or his wife in three months – and the dearth of books and medical attention.

On the situation at home Barakeh said that 
Sa’adat expressed concern the Israeli demand that 
Palestinians recognize the state as one for the 
Jewish people. He said this is racist and 
impossible, particularly as the Israeli 
government continues to ignore international law and the United Nations.

The local and international movement in support 
of Sa’adat and his colleagues has its own 
momentum next to that in support of all 11,000 
Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons.





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