Video: Palestinian hunger striker’s wife makes urgent plea
Ali Abunimah-18 February 2016
In this video, Fayha Shalash makes an urgent appeal on behalf of her husband, who is gravely ill and could die at any time after 85 days on hunger strike.
Muhammad al-Qiq, a 33-year-old father of two, has refused food since 25 November to protest his detention without charge or trial by Israel.
“Muhammad is fighting for his freedom,” Shalash says in the brief English-language video, “He is on hunger strike because he wants to be free.”
The video also shows al-Qiq crying out in pain from his hospital bed.
Al-Qiq is a journalist for the Saudi news agency al-Majd, and Shalash says he was arrested for exercising his profession.
“We appeal to free people in the world who can help us to put pressure on the Israeli government and let Muhammad free,” Shalash says.
Right to choose
On Wednesday, Amnesty International called on Israel to “urgently facilitate [al-Qiq’s] transfer to a Palestinian hospital in Ramallah.”
A day earlier, the Israeli high court rejected a petition by al-Qiq’s lawyers demanding such a transfer.
#Palestinian journalist & father, on hunger strike for 80+ days, could die at anytime. amn.st/6018BblGw
The Israeli high court ostensibly suspended al-Qiq’s administrative detention on 4 February, but he effectively remains a prisoner.
