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President Condemns Israeli Negligence of Palestinian Prisoners, Urges International Action

President Michel Suleiman urged the international community on Thursday to pressure Israel into respecting international treaties on prisoners rights after the death of a Palestinian prisoner suffering from terminal cancer.

Suleiman condemned “the premeditated Israeli negligence of the situation of prisoners in Israeli jails" that led to the death of Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh on Tuesday.

“Israel, which fights unarmed Palestinians with warplanes and tanks, is refraining from providing care for sick prisoners” and is violating norms, conventions and morals, he said.

He also slammed Israeli leaders for neglecting humanitarian and social issues.

Abu Hamdiyeh, 64, died at Soroka hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheva where he was suffering from terminal throat cancer.

Abu Hamdiyeh, who was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to life in jail, began complaining of throat problems about nine months ago and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus.

The Israel Prisons Service said a process for his early release had been under way in the light of his deteriorating health.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his death.


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