Thousands of Palestinians are holding rallies in the West Bank and Gaza to mark annual Prisoner’s Day.
Unbelievable that a people could celebrate a day called "Prisoner’s Day" in a country, Palestine, still under military occupation or siege, while it is still going on. I wonder if any other occupied people in history ever created a special day to honor their prisoners of occupation. It is as if a conqueror/occupier like the British in India, were taking a day’s break to let the people celebrate their prisoners, while they go on sacking the country.
In this case, the Palestinians celebrating are also about to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of their occupation. One can only imagine there are Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons who have been there for decades who could use a celebration. Most were imprisoned for resisting the occupation.
One also learns that it’s not hard for a Palestinian to become imprisoned in Israeli jails. The other day a report circulated that 25% of all living Palestinians have at one time or another been arrested by the Israeli occupying forces and held in jail. What a pool. No wonder over 9,000 Palestinian prisoners have over the years accumulated in Israeli prisons.
The day commemorates more than 9,000 Palestinian detainees who being held in Israeli jails. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya described the prisoners as heroes and said that gaining their freedom was a priority for his government.
"All prisoners should be released, not only those who are included in the exchange for Shalit," Mr Haniya said.
Shalit was captured in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants last June and is being held somewhere in Gaza, it is believed. Talks are continuing for a prisoner exchange. However, for those who will not be exchanged, the years of imprisonment will continue until peace is finally, if ever, negotiated.
Photos by permission.
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