Palestinian detainees go on hunger strike

Five Palestinian detainees who were arrested after they signed a statement condemning the Palestinian government went on a hunger strike yesterday to protest their detention.

In a statement, they said that they refused to back off from their criticism of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, clarifying that they have been informed that they will be presented to a military court if they do not sign a statement that declares the Palestinian president innocent of the criticism they addressed to him.

They added that they will continue on a hunger strike until they are released.

The Palestinian police detained 20 Palestinians in the last week who signed a strongly worded statement that depicted the Palestinian authority of tyranny and corruption.