Palestinians are holding a general strike in the West Bank in solidarity with hunger striking prisoners in Israeli jails. The strike coincides with the arrival of US President Donald Trump for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Hundreds of protesters are blocking roads in cities and towns of the West Bank as the hunger strike entered its 36th day Monday. A Palestinian advocacy group says several of the hundreds of hunger striking prisoners are hospitalized.
Israel Prisons Service officials said on Sunday that dozens are expected to be hospitalized in the coming days.
Palestinians say well over 1,000 are on strike, while Israeli officials insist the number is closer to 850. Many of the prisoners were convicted of terror attacks.
Stores and government offices are closed down in Ramallah, public transportation has ground to a halt and main thoroughfares in Palestinian cities are empty of people and cars.
The Palestinian prisoners’ affairs committee calls for a “day of rage” on Tuesday, when Trump visits Bethlehem, for “the voice of the prisoners to be heard by the president.”
— Agencies and Times of Israel staff
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 22, 2017
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