Ramallah: Abdullah Al-Zighari, head of the Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS), stated that the prisoners' cause is experiencing unprecedented shifts marked by an increase in brutality against Palestinian political detainees. The number of detainees has surged to over 11,000, with many more held in Israeli military camps.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Al-Zighari released a statement on the 32nd anniversary of the PPS's founding, highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations amid ongoing violence. The statement noted attempts by the Israeli occupation and the U.S. administration to hinder their efforts, with several orders targeting Palestinian human rights and civil institutions.
The current phase is described as the bloodiest in the history of the Palestinian people and the prisoners' movement. The statement criticized the international community for its silence on the occupation's crimes, including those against prisoners in Israeli prisons. It mentioned the martyrdom of dozens of prisoners as part of an ongoing policy of extermination.
Despite these challenges, Al-Zighari emphasized that the PPS remains committed to defending the rights of political prisoners and minors in Israeli prisons and amplifying their voices. He reiterated the society's commitment to supporting prisoners and their families, serving as a voice for their resilience and sacrifices.
The Palestinian Prisoner's Society was established on September 27, 1993, at Birzeit University, following a general hunger strike by the prisoners' movement in 1992. Known as the 'Battle of the September Volcano,' this strike was a pivotal moment for the prisoners' movement. The idea of founding the PPS came from leaders in 'Junaid' prison, aiming to create a national framework for the prisoners' cause. Over the years, many leaders and martyrs of the movement contributed to building this institution.