Jordanians rally for Palestinian hunger strikers
Protest, organized by Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood and youth groups, draws hundreds in Amman after Friday prayers
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AMMAN — Hundreds of Jordanians staged a protest Friday after weekly Muslim prayers in support of Palestinians on a hunger strike in Israeli prisons.
The demonstration was organized by the Muslim Brotherhood and youth organizations.
Marchers in downtown Amman chanted slogans praising about 1,000 Palestinians who are fasting in a protest launched on April 17 by convicted terrorist and popular Palestinian figure Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks against Israelis.
“Oh prisoners, you are heroes, you are the flame of the [Palestinian] struggle” against Israel, they chanted.
Others held up signs saying: “The will of our prisoners is stronger than your terrorism.” Some waved Palestinian and Jordanian flags as well as the colors of the Muslim Brotherhood chapter of Jordan.
The march started at the Al-Husseini mosque in central Amman and wound its way near the municipality building about one kilometre (0.6 miles) away before breaking up peacefully.
The prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails are only ingesting water and salt. They launched their protest to demand improved conditions, including family visits, better medical care and phone access.
On Thursday the Arab League, of which Jordan is a member, called on the United Nations to open an international probe into alleged “violations” made against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The Times of Israel Community.