Scores of Palestinians were injured yesterday, Friday, May 12th, in heavy clashes with Israeli soldiers outside Bethlehem University. Students were protesting in solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails when violence erupted.

This incident calls for immediate action to be taken against the Israeli authorities' unjustified imprisonment of Palestinian civilians, particularly at a time when both sides are engaged in a process of reconciliation and an indispensable effort to put an end to the conflict.

The imprisonment of people due to their political activity or affiliation is illegal. Israel stands guilty before the most basic principles of international law and democracy. Palestinians in Israeli jails are not guilty of any crime, they are simple imprisoned due to their political beliefs; they are advocates of their legitimate right to self-determination, and their quest for freedom and liberty cannot be suppressed.

To express your opinion about the prisoners issue, please join our dialogue page.

MIFTAH’s Fact Sheet on Palestinian Political Prisoners in Israeli jails.