Issawi held in inhumane conditions in Israeli jail

Palestinian lawyer Shireen Issawi was held in inhumane conditions during her time in solitary confinement in the Neve Tirza prison in Ramla, a prisoners’ right group has said.

Hanan Al-Khatib, a lawyer at the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, said Issawi went on hunger strike for five days in protest against the conditions of her imprisonment between 15-22 June which were “very difficult”.

“The cell door was completely sealed with plastic so there was no room for air until she choked and lost conscious then the prison administration removed the plastic from the door,” Al-Khatib explained.

“The cell lacked the minimum requirements for life. I was forced to sleep on the floor without even a mattress. The guards confiscated my personal belongings. I had handcuffs on my hands and feet every time I left the cell to meet my lawyer or go out to the yard,” Issawi was quoted as saying.

Five Palestinian women including Issawi were held in solitary confinement following a dispute that broke out between prisoners and the prison authorities nearly two months ago.

Issawi, 35, from Jerusalem, has been detained since 3 June 2014, and is the sister of captives Medhat and Samer Issawi who took part in hunger strikes while being held in Israeli jails.