Solidarity fast for Palestine prisoners

People from around the world will fast on Monday in solidarity with five Palestinian prisoners held without charge or trial in so-called adminsitrative detention.

The two longest strikers are Ayman Sharawneh from Hebron and Samer Issawi from Jerusalem, who will have been on hunger strike for 187 days and 158 days respectively by Monday.

Campaigners claim that administrative detention violates international treaties on the right to a fair trial, which Israel is bound to observe, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

They further argue that evidence heard in secret, which provides neither the defendant nor their legal representative the chance to examine the evidence or challenge it, violates the requirements of international law and that the detentions constitute war crimes.

"Imagine that it was your brother, sister or child that was slowly starving?" said Vanessa Whiteley who is to join the Bristol fast.

"I am a mother myself so I can identify how their families must feel. I am proud to be part of the team of campaigners here in Bristol fasting for just one day.

"I encourage everyone else who cares about human life and justice to join us or send a message of support."

• The London fast will take place at St Martin in the Fields while the Bristol protest will take place outside Hamilton House in Stokes Croft from 9am until 6pm.