Sarsak Defeats "Israel: Three Months on Hunger Strike, Soccer Star to Freedom

Local Editor

In news that will provoke tears of joy throughout the West Bank, Gaza Strip and not a few locker rooms, it was announced that Mahmoud Sarsak, jailed Palestinian soccer star and hunger striker, would be released on Tuesday.
 
After epic 3-month hunger strike, lawyers revealed that the hunger striker at the brink of death, is to be freed by "Israel" on 10 July.
The attorney, Mohammed Jabareen, spoke Monday after the deal was struck at an "Israeli" prison clinic. Israeli prison officials could not be reached for comment.
The soccer player, Mahmoud Sarsak, has been held by Israel for nearly three years without charges or trial.

Ma'an news agency added that after the deal was signed, Sarsak broke his strike with a piece of chocolate:
If the reported deal is implemented, it would mark a major victory for Sarsak, who had been never charged with any crime.

Sarsak was arrested on his way to a national team match as he tried to cross the Gaza border, with travel approval from "Israel" in his hand. He has been held for three years without charges, a trial or even contact with his family. Over the last ninety days, Sarsak has refused food, continuing to adhere to an organized hunger strike of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, even after their action was resolved. Sarsak's worsening health brought global attention to his case.

Amnesty International put out an alert last week that Sarsak was on the brink of death, but it was the sports world that brought his struggle out of the shadows. On June 8, FIFpro, an international union of 50,000 professional soccer players, put out a formal call for his release. It also addressed a larger pattern at work, where members of the Palestinian National Team have been systematically blocked at checkpoints, jailed or even killed.

The organization's vice president, Philippe Piat, said, "The freedom of movement is a fundamental right of every citizen. It is also written down in the FIFA Regulations that players must be allowed to play for the national team of their country. But actually for some footballers it is impossible to defend the colours of their country. They cannot cross the border. They cannot visit their family. They are locked up. This is an injustice."

In addition, famed Manchester United player Eric Cantona signed a statement saying that UEFA should cancel its upcoming under-21 championship tournament in "Israel" if Sarsak weren't freed. The statement read, "It is time to end the injustice, and insist upon standards of equality, justice and respect of international law-like we demand from any other country."

Not only does Sarsak live but the movement lives as well. It's been strengthened by Sarsak's survival.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org