Thousands protest demanding release of Palestinian hunger striker
(17 Feb 2012) SHOTLIST Gaza City, Gaza Strip 1. Wide of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh marching in protest in support of Khader Adnan, a Palestinian militant who has been on hunger strike for almost two months 2. Various of Palestinians marching 3. Protesters marching and waving Palestinian factions flags 4. Various of protesters chanting in support of Adnan 5. Various of protesters laying in mock hospital bed to sympathise with Adnan's situation 7. Wide of protest 8. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas Prime Minister: "We believe that Khader Adnan's will, will win in the end, and all our prisoners will, will also win. All the Palestinian people, with all its components and factions won't give up and will continue in supporting those heroes." 9. Haniyeh walking away Bilin, West Bank 10. Various of protester climbing ladder to put Palestinian flag on top of barrier 11. Wide of tear gas being fired near protesters 12. Various Israeli riot vehicle spraying unknown liquid towards protesters 13. Ahmad Khatib being pushed along in a wheelchair by other protesters, some also dressed as Khader Adnan 14. Painting of Khader Adnan on barrier 15. Protester Ahmad Khatib being made up to look like Khader Adnan, while holding an image of Khader Adnan 16. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmad Khatib, protester and resident of Bilin: "This is the minimum that we can offer to the prisoner Khader Adnan, who has been on hunger strike for sixty two days. He is battling and resisting with his empty stomach, so we decided to assume his character. This is so that we can offer a small gesture. For him and for the other prisoners who sacrifice their souls, bodies and freedom for Palestine." 17. Khatib having beard adjusted and holding photo of Khader Adnan 18. Close-up of banner of Khader Adnan at site of protest reading (Arabic) "I am saying to my people that I am not in love with hunger. I am not going to cave in, but the situation has become unacceptable, so the choice is victory or martyrdom." 19. Wide of protesters and clashes with stun grenades and tear gas STORYLINE Thousands of Palestinians protested outside the headquarters of the Red Cross in Gaza City on Friday, holding pictures of 33-year-old Khader Adnan, a Palestinian militant who has been on hunger strike for almost two months. The demonstrators demanded the immediate release of Adnan and other Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israeli jails. Adnan, a member of the armed group Islamic Jihad, has lost 60 pounds (27 kilos), his skin has discoloured, his hair has fallen out, he cannot walk, and he has been shackled to his bed, said lawyers and his wife Randa, who have seen him in a series of Israeli hospitals. He is drinking water which is occasionally infused with the vitamins he needs to keep him alive. His health condition is considered severe. Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed militant group which has killed dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks, has vowed to punish Israel if Adnan dies. Adnan was a spokesman for the group in the West Bank. After Friday prayers, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called on the Palestinian people to show their support in the fight for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and especially Adnan. "We believe that Khader Adnan's will, will win in the end, and all our prisoners will, will also win. All the Palestinian people, with all its components and factions won't give up and will continue in supporting those heroes," Haniyeh said. In the West Bank, residents of the Palestinian village of Bilin marked seven years of weekly demos. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
