March 2, 2012

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Palestinian hunger-striker Hana Shalabi has sent a message to Palestinian women in advance of International Women’s Day, which is next week.

Sherine Iraqi, a lawyer for the Palestinian prisoners society, visited Shalabi in Israel's Sharon prison and distributed the message.

Shalabi stresses that she will continue her strike for the Palestinian people’s dignity and to all struggling women in the world, according to the message distributed by Iraqi.

Shalabi said she will not compromise her freedom and rights for any price and has decided to continue until victory, not only for her dignity and the dignity of all women.

She added that she will continue until her freedom and independence as the Israeli government has "gone too far in humiliating and enslaving Palestinians in addition to practicing various types of insults and torture."

Shalabi added that detaining her again, after last year's prisoner swap, was an act of revenge and reflects "a racist policy that knows no mercy." She also said she has immunity according to the swap deal.

Shalabi also denied the accusations against her, which she called fabricated.

The prisoner also hailed the position of the Palestinian administrative detainees who are boycotting the military's courts, considering it a first step to put an end to this policy.

She also saluted the Palestinian women on the occasion of the holiday, and said that "Palestinian woman will always be the spearhead of resistance against the occupiers."

Iraqi, her lawyer, said that Shalabi's health had deteriorated considerably but her spirits remain high. She added that Shalabi has not had any medical tests since she started her hunger strike.

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