PRCS takes part in the Human Chain which called for allowing the families of Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails to be permitted visits

(Gaza, 11-07-2011):PRCS alongside ICRC took part in forming a human chain in the Gaza Strip which called for allowing the families of Gazan prisoners held in Israeli jails to be permitted visits.

Around 350 PRCS staff and volunteers were part of this chain which started from the ICRC headquarters in Al Shuhada’ Street in Al Rimal/Gaza City to the Square of the Unknown Soldier in the center of Gaza City. ICRC representatives then handed the families of detainees letters from their beloved ones in Israeli jails which were passed on along the chain. Other letters from families to their sons and daughters were also passed on to ICRC and are to be sent to the Israeli jails.

In a press conference held by Irfan Sulejmani, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza, and attended by Dr. Khaled Joudeh, Head of PRCS/Gaza, Mr. Sulejmani said that this human chain formed under the banner “In Contact”, protests against Israel’s suspending family visits to Gazan prisoners in 2007 ,following the siege on Gaza Strip. He called for an urgent resumption of this visit program and lauded cooperation between ICRC and PRCS, describing PRCS staff as “brothers”.

Following the press conference, a documentary on the suffering of families of Palestinian detainees and prisoners was projected. Copies of the documentary were also distributed to media representatives present in large numbers to cover the event.