Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike in Israel After 40 Days
About 1,000 men had taken part in the strike, and Israeli officials said this past week
that nearly every prisoner had needed hospital care, including the leader of the strike, Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian politician convicted of five murders in the Palestinian uprising that began in 2000.
By IAN FISHERMAY 27, 2017
JERUSALEM — Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails ended a hunger strike late on Friday after 40 days, as their health was deteriorating
and after, news media reports said, the authorities agreed to at least one of the prisoners’ demands.
The striking prisoners had limited themselves to water and salt, although Israeli officials said
that Mr. Barghouti had violated the strike at least twice, eating snacks placed in his cell.
Polls show that Mr. Barghouti, 57, who has been in prison since 2002, is the most popular
choice to replace Mahmoud Abbas, 82, president of the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian officials and his family denied the accusations, saying that videos purportedly showing Mr. Barghouti eating were faked.
In a statement on Saturday, Mr. Barghouti confirmed the end of the hunger strike, timed
to coincide with the beginning of Ramadan, the holy Muslim month of fasting.