<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<style type="text/css" media="all">
a:hover { color: red; }
a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #0088cc;
}
a.primaryactionlink:link, a.primaryactionlink:visited { background-color: #2585B2; color: #fff; }
a.primaryactionlink:hover, a.primaryactionlink:active { background-color: #11729E !important; color: #fff !important; }
/*
@media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) {
.post { min-width: 700px !important; }
}
*/
</style>
<title>WordPress.com</title>
<!--[if gte mso 12]>
<style type="text/css" media="all">
body {
font-family: arial;
font-size: 0.8em;
}
.post, .comment {
background-color: white !important;
line-height: 1.4em !important;
}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
</head>
<body text="#000000" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<br>
<style type="text/css" media="all">
a:hover { color: red; }
a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #0088cc;
}
a.primaryactionlink:link, a.primaryactionlink:visited { background-color: #2585B2; color: #fff; }
a.primaryactionlink:hover, a.primaryactionlink:active { background-color: #11729E !important; color: #fff !important; }
/*
@media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) {
.post { min-width: 700px !important; }
}
*/
</style>
<title>WordPress.com</title>
<!--[if gte mso 12]>
<style type="text/css" media="all">
body {
font-family: arial;
font-size: 0.8em;
}
.post, .comment {
background-color: white !important;
line-height: 1.4em !important;
}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<table
style="background: rgb(221, 221, 221) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; width: 100%;"
bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table style="padding: 10px; width: 100%;" class="subscribe-body"
align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div
style="margin: 0pt auto; overflow: hidden; max-width: 600px;">
<table
style="margin: 0pt auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; max-width: 1024px; min-width: 320px; width: 100%;"
class="subscribe-wrapper" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0"
cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><br>
<table style="width: 100%;" bgcolor="#ffffff"
border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0"
cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="the-post" valign="top">
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0"
cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<h2
style="margin: 0pt; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 20px;"
class="post-title"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
style="text-decoration: none ! important; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);"
href="http://samidoun.ca/2012/07/95-days-of-hunger-strike-act-now-to-save-akram-al-rikhawis-life/">95
Days of Hunger Strike: Act Now to Save Akram al-Rikhawi’s life!</a></h2>
<span
style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">by <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://samidoun.ca/?author=1"
style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136) ! important; text-decoration: underline;">samidoun</a></span>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div
style="margin-top: 1em; max-width: 560px;" class="post-content">
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">Akram
al-Rikhawi has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is the longest
serving hunger striker anywhere in the world. He is suffering from
numerous medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, high
cholesterol, osteoporosis, glaucoma, kidney problems and immune
deficiency. <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=491" target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Addameer
reports</a> that “Prior to his arrest, Akram received injections of
Kenacort to treat his asthma, but following his arrest, the Israeli
Prison Service (IPS) did not allow Akram to take this injection.
Instead, it was replaced with injections of cortisone, which is most
likely the cause of severe complications, resulting in additional
chronic illnesses such as diabetes and osteoporosis, from which Akram
now suffers.” <strong><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="#letter"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Take
action today to call for the immediate release of Akram al-Rikhawi!</a></strong></p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">Akram
began his hunger strike on April 12 of this year to demand his early
release due to his heath circumstances. He also has eight children, and
he and his wife are also responsible for the care of the five children
of his late brother. Despite his severe health circumstances and his
difficult family and economic straits and responsibility for 13
children, his appeals for early release in 2012 and on June 5, 2012 <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=491"
target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">were
both rejected</a>.</p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">He
did not stop his hunger strike on May 14 at the time of the agreement
between prisoners and the Israel Prison Services because his unique
circumstances were not addressed – namely, early release on medical
grounds. <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150867264581502&id=164306561501"
target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Physicians
for Human Rights were denied access to Akram for nearly two months,
until June 6</a>. He has lost 26.5% of his body weight – and was
already very unhealthy. Akram has been refusing medical examinations
since mid-May – and in response, the cortisone injections have only
increased. PHR has stated that he must be transferred immediately to a
civilian hospital in order to receive proper medical care, and filed
suit to demand he be transferred – which was <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=491" target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">denied
by an Israeli District Court on June 14</a>. Since June 16, he has been
refusing supplements and other forms of artificial nourishment that the
Israeli prison hospital has attempted to impose on him.</p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">He
has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is in severe danger.
International action is urgently needed to save his life! <strong><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="#letter"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">It is
urgent that we act now to free Akram Rikhawi and secure his much-needed
medical care.</a></strong></p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">Akram
al-Rikhawi is not the only Palestinian prisoner currently on hunger
strike:</p>
<ul
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 1em; padding: 0pt; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<li
style="margin-left: 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
title="URGENT: Act now for Mahmoud Sarsak on 84th day of hunger strike; Palestinian soccer star at risk of death"
href="http://samidoun.ca/2012/06/urgent-act-now-for-mahmoud-sarsak-on-84th-day-of-hunger-strike-palestinian-soccer-star-at-risk-of-death/"
target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Samer
al-Barq </a>has now been on hunger strike since May 22, for 55 days,
protesting Israeli violations of the agreement with the prisoners –
after his own administrative detention, rather than expiring as agreed
by the Israelis at the end of the strike, was renewed for an additional
three months. Samer al-Barq is now on hunger strike until his release
is secured.</li>
<li
style="margin-left: 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=490" target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Hassan
Safadi</a>, a long-term hunger striker who had been striking for 71
days at the time the May 14 agreement was concluded, had his
administrative detention order renewed by the Israelis on June 21,
despite the explicit agreement that the long-term hunger strikers such
as Safadi serving in administrative detention without charge or trial
would not have those orders renewed. Safadi is now on his 25th day of
hunger strike and plans to continue until he is released.</li>
</ul>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">The
Israeli Prison Services have continued to violate the May 14 agreement
in numerous ways - Dirar Abu Sisi remains in solitary confinement and
another prisoner was recently moved to isolation. Although family
visits to Gaza prisoners have now been announced, they will be
"experimental," <a moz-do-not-send="true"
title="Some family visits to begin for only 25 Gaza prisoners"
href="http://samidoun.ca/2012/07/some-family-visits-to-begin-for-only-25-gaza-prisoners/"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);"><strong>apply
only to 25 of the 479 prisoners and will exclude prisoners' children
from visits</strong></a>.</p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">After
his 96-day hunger strike, Palestinian soccer star Mahmoud Sarsak <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
title="Mahmoud Sarsak released to hero’s welcome in Gaza"
href="http://samidoun.ca/2012/07/mahmoud-sarsak-released-to-heros-welcome-in-gaza/"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">returned
on July 10</a> to his home in Gaza to a hero's welcome. It is urgent
that we act now for all Palestinian prisoners to return to their
families and homes like Sarsak. Administrative detention, mass
roundups, and military trials are continuing in Palestine.
International solidarity and action is needed to hold the occupation
accountable for its ongoing imprisonment and abuse of the people of
Palestine!</p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>TAKE
ACTION!</strong></p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>1. <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="#letter"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Sign a
letter</a> demanding the Israeli state transfer Akram Rikhawi, Samer
al-Barq and Hassan Safadi immediately to hospitals and release them.
Tell the Israeli Prison Services that the world is watching! <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="#letter"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Click
here to sign.</a></strong></p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>2. <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://ufree-p.net/News-221"
target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Sign
this letter, circulated by UFREE, to members of the European Parliament
and demand action to save the life of Akram Rikhawi.</a></strong></p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>3. </strong><strong>Join
a protest or demonstration outside an Israeli consulate for Palestinian
prisoners. Many groups and organizations are holding events – join one
or announce your own. </strong>Organizing an event, action or forum on
Palestinian prisoners on your city or campus? <strong><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://samidoun.ca/2012/04/submit-your-palestinian-prisoner-solidarity-activities-here/"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">Use this
form to contact us</a></strong> and we will post the event widely. <em>If
you need suggestions, materials or speakers for your event, please <a
moz-do-not-send="true" title="Contact Us"
href="http://samidoun.ca/contact-us/"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">contact
us</a> at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:samidoun@samidoun.ca">samidoun@samidoun.ca</a>. </em>(The Ireland Palestine Solidarity
Campaign has great materials, available at <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.ipsc.ie/the-issues/factsheets"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">http://www.ipsc.ie/the-issues/factsheets</a>)</p>
<p
style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1em; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>4.
Contact your government officials and demand an end to international
silence and complicity with the repression of Palestinian political
prisoners.</strong> In Canada, Call the office of John Baird, Foreign
Minister, and demand an end to Canadian support for Israel and justice
for Palestinian prisoners, at : 613-990-7720; Email: <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:bairdj@parl.gc.ca" target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">bairdj@parl.gc.ca</a>.
In the US, call the office of Elizabeth Jones, Acting Assistant
Secretary of State for Near East Affairs (1.<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="202.647.7209" target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">202.647.7209</a>). Demand
that Elizabeth Jones bring this issue urgently to his counterparts in
Israel.</p>
</div>
<div
style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); padding: 15px 0pt; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 4px; line-height: 160%;"
class="meta"> <strong><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://samidoun.ca/?author=1"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">samidoun</a></strong>
| July 15, 2012 at 12:38 pm | URL: <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://wp.me/p2cx3f-lD"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(37, 133, 178);">http://wp.me/p2cx3f-lD</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<img moz-do-not-send="true" alt=""
src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=jetpack.wordpress.com&blog=32539661&post=1341&subd=samidoun.ca&ref=&email=1&email_o=jetpack"
height="1" border="0" width="1">
</body>
</html>