Samer al-Issawi is a Palestinian political prisoner from ‘Issawiyeh (Jerusalem), who has been on a hunger strike in Israel’s prison for more then 200 days. Although released in a prisoner-swap deal in October 2011, Israel re-arrested Samer claiming he violated the terms of his release by leaving Jerusalem even though the place of his arrest was Hizmeh, which is within the Jerusalem municipal boundaries. Samer has been hunger striking since July 29, 2012, and according to recent reports his health has been fast deteriorating, putting his life in danger. Joining solidarity demonstrations in Palestine and all over the world, a group of Jaffa-based activists began a daily vigil in solidarity with Samer ‘Issawi and all political prisoners at clock tower square, a famed local landmark. Protesters, both Palestinian and Jews, attended the second vigil, calling for the release of ‘Issawi and all political prisoners, as well as putting an end to administrative detention as an illegal punitive measure by the state. Samer’s mother and uncle joined the demonstration this evening and thanked all participants, Jews and Palestinians alike, for their ongoing support.

Please join us every Thursday at 6p, Jaffa’s clock tower square for a vigil in solidarity with Samer ‘Issawi and the Palestinian political prisoners.

Samer ‘Issawi’s mother and uncle attended the daily vigil in solidarity with Samer and all the Palestinian political prisoners in Yafa. They addressed the protesters, referring to the special site, ‘Yafa, the Bride of Palestine,’ thanking everyone for their support, reiterating that Samer said he will not stop his hunger strike. ‘Martyrdom or liberty,’ he told them. He wishes to return to Jerusalem as a free man rather than be deported to Gaza. Samer’s mother appealed to the crowd in his behalf, mentioning his dire health condition. His uncle mentioned the injustice of the Israeli state re-arresting former prisoners and the violence it deploys. He particularly thanked the Jewish activists who stand with the family in support of Samer.

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