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uk hunger striker in hospital in Tel Aviv

ananova | 07.05.2002 10:21

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Palestinian supporters on hunger strike over expulsion from Israel

Two pro-Palestinian activists facing expulsion from Israel are on hunger strike at Ben-Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv.

Briton Joanna Harrison and Palestinian-American Huwaida Arraf are fasting in their detention cell.

A statement by fellow activists says the two women are now being treated in hospital for low blood sugar.

The two women and 11 others were arrested on Thursday in Bethlehem, after 10 members of their group ran into the besieged Church of the Nativity.

Four members of the group have already been deported from Israel and the rest will also be expelled, an Israeli official says.

"They knowingly entered a closed military area in defiance of a legal military order, at a time of armed hostilities," Interior Ministry spokeswoman Tova Ellinson said.

The standoff in Bethlehem began on April 2 when more than 200 Palestinians fled into the church ahead of invading Israeli forces.

About 75 Palestinians have since emerged from the besieged compound, which marks Jesus' traditional birthplace.

Several dozen monks and nuns remain in the church, saying they have to protect its sanctity.

The foreign activists say they entered the church to bring food to those inside.

ananova

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

A tale of two seiges

07.05.2002 11:08

The fasting activists say ALL the people in the Church seeking sanctuary are civilians, the Israeli Overlords say they are terrorists holding hostages...who do you believe?

Bystander


I heard it on the telly (Italian)

07.05.2002 11:27

The priests in the church have been on Italian TV,via phone, dozens of times, they have always refuted that they were hoistages. they repeatedly said they "they were where they belonged" and that they would not leaving, until the siege was over. The Israelis and NWO put out the hostage story.
As they control the media, why should they retract it, they didn't retract any of the other lies that they have been
so

jox


Wakey Wakey

07.05.2002 15:11

What planet are some people on. Its already been established and accepted by both sides that in the church there are around 40 people who could be termed militants/terrorists depending on your viewpoint. Its the fate of these people thats being negotiated.

John H


update on hunger strikers

08.05.2002 10:10

Jo, kate and marcia got deported yesterday(7th) and arrived at Heathrow last night. They are now safely back in Bristol.
Al is still over there.

kebelian