We are fighting for all Palestinians
In jail, my fellow hunger strikers and I are doing battle against the Israeli occupation that humiliates our people
SAMER ISSAWI
My story is no different from that of many other Palestinian young
people who were born and have lived their whole lives under Israeli
occupation. At 17, I was arrested for the first time, and jailed for two
years. I was arrested again in my early 20s, at the height of the
second intifada in Ramallah, during an Israeli invasion of numerous
cities in the West Bank – what Israel called Operation Defensive Shield. I was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges relating to my resistance to the occupation.
I
am not the first member of my family to be jailed on my people's long
march towards freedom. My grandfather, a founding member of the PLO, was
sentenced to death by the British Mandate authorities,
whose laws are used by Israel to this day to oppress my people; he
escaped hours before he was due to be executed. My brother, Fadi, was
killed in 1994, aged just 16, by Israeli forces during a demonstration
in the West Bank following the Ibrahimi mosque massacre in Hebron.
Medhat, another brother, has served 19 years in prison.
My other
brothers, Firas, Ra'afat and Shadi were each imprisoned for five to 11
years. My sister, Shireen, has been arrested numerous times and has
served a year in prison. My brother's home has been destroyed. My
mother's water and electricity have been cut off. My family, along with
the people of my beloved city Jerusalem, are continuously harassed and
attacked, but they continue to defend Palestinian rights and prisoners.
After almost 10 years in prison, I was released in the Egypt-sponsored deal between Israel and Hamas to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
However, on 7 July 2012, I was arrested again near Hizma, an area
within the municipality of Jerusalem, on charges of violating the terms
of my release (that I should not leave Jerusalem). Others who were
released as part of that deal were also arrested, some with no declared
reason. Accordingly, I began a hunger strike on 1 August to protest
against my illegal imprisonment and Israel's violation of the agreement.
My
health has deteriorated greatly, but I will continue my hunger strike
until victory or martyrdom. This is my last remaining stone to throw at
the tyrants and jailers in the face of the racist occupation that
humiliates our people.
I draw my strength from all the free people
in the world who want an end to the Israeli occupation. My weak
heartbeat endures thanks to this solidarity and support; my weak voice
gains its strength from voices that are louder, and can penetrate the
prison walls.
My battle is not just for my own freedom. My fellow
hunger strikers, Ayman, Tarik and Ja'afar, and I are fighting a battle
for all Palestinians against the Israeli occupation and its prisons.
What I endure is little compared to the sacrifice of Palestinians in
Gaza, where thousands have died or been injured as a result of brutal
Israeli attacks and an unprecedented and inhuman siege.
However,
more support is needed. Israel could not continue its oppression without
the support of western governments. These governments, particularly the
British, which has a historic responsibility for the tragedy of my
people, should impose sanctions on the Israeli regime until it ends the
occupation, recognises Palestinian rights, and frees all Palestinian
political prisoners.
Do not worry if my heart stops. I am still
alive now and even after death, because Jerusalem runs through my veins.
If I die, it is a victory; if we are liberated, it is a victory,
because either way I have refused to surrender to the Israeli
occupation, its tyranny and arrogance.
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