’We do not want new martyrs,’ PA official says

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RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority prisoners minister said Saturday that the Israeli government would be held responsible if another prisoner died in custody, after two died in separate incidents in a month.

“We do not want any new martyrs. The Israeli government is responsible for any explosion that might happen,” Issa Qaraqe said in a meeting with the UK consul general, Sir Vincent Fean.

The officials were discussing the plight of Samer Issawi, a long-term hunger-striker in critical condition in Israeli custody. He has been on hunger strike since August 2012.

According to Qaraqe, Issawi’s heart rate has decreased to 28 beats per minute and could stop "at any moment."

He called on the UK to intervene to save Issawi and other prisoners in Israeli custody.

In response, Sir Vincent Fean said the British government was following up on the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and contacting the Israeli side directly, Qaraqe’s office said.

Fean was quoted as saying that the UK was concerned about the latest developments.

On Thursday, the British foreign office said it was concerned about the deaths of two Palestinian teenagers and the Israeli military’s allegations that Palestinians attacked a post with firebombs.

"We are deeply concerned about the deaths of two Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank and reports of the Israeli military being attacked with firebombs," a UK spokesman said in a statement.

"It is a tragedy when any young person’s life is cut short. We urge the parties to take steps towards de-escalation and to exercise restraint. We expect a full investigation into the incident."