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<font size=3>Renowned leftist from prison on rebuilding the movement, a
new state and internal reconciliation <br><br>
<a href="http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5872" eudora="autourl">
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5872<br>
</a>23.06.09 - 08:30 <br><br>
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.<br><br>
A message was delivered through Palestinian member of the Israeli
Knesset, Mohammad Barakeh.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br>
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