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South African vice president goes on 24hr hunger strike for Palestine

South African VP Cyril Ramaphosa is leading over 40 other government officials in a solidarity hunger strike

May 15, 2017 at 11:12 am

Cyril Ramaphosa, Vice-president of South Africa on 14 May, 2017 [Rassd.net]

One of South Africa’s two vice presidents is going on a 24-hour hunger strike today in solidarity with the 1,600 Palestinian prisoners protesting at their conditions in Israeli jails.

Cyril Ramaphosa, explained the director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, is the politician in South Africa most supportive of the prisoners’ demands. “Ramaphosa’s solidarity is, therefore, very important,” explained Nishan Balton. “A number of government officials are expected to take part in the strike with Ramaphosa,” he added.

Many South Africans are participating in campaigns to support Palestinian hunger strikers by initiating the #DignityStrikeSA hashtag on social media.

Read: 40 South African officials to hold hunger strike in support of Palestinian prisoners

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails began their mass hunger strike on 17 April, led by Marwan Barghouti. They are demanding an end to inhumane conditions and administrative detention, under which Palestinians are held with neither charge nor trial for renewable indefinite periods.

Many others are also on a solidarity hunger strike in South Africa, including: