Ameer Makhoul

Khader Adnan’s hunger strike was not in protest of administrative detention but against Israel’s entire colonial system, argues Ameer Makhoul, writing from Gilboa prison.

The official Palestinian position on the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails serves to undermine their cause, which is a central component of the Palestinian people’s liberation struggle, comments Ameer Makhoul from Gilboa prison.

The prisoner exchange deal was a major achievement for Hamas and a great step forward for the Palestinian people, particularly the prisoners’ movement.

By not dealing with the root causes of the unjust system in Israel, the Israeli social movement wishes to make things less unjust rather than to change the system and the regime.

Palestinian political prisoner Ameer Makhoul writes about a recent “watermelon party” amongst fellow prisoners, and the struggle for liberation that continues.

The Arab rebellions are being created by the social movement — by the people — in all its currents and forces that seek change; in other words, by the great majority of the peoples in revolt. Ameer Makhoul writes from Gilboa Prison.

A year of imprisonment has passed. To spend one year in prison is a high price to pay for Israel’s unjust rule. My share has been more modest compared to other prisoners who are about to enter their fourth decade in Israeli prisons. Ameer Makhoul writes from Gilboa prison.

Palestinian Prisoners Day was marked on 17 April, an annual day to contemplate the individual and collective suffering and impossible pain of political prisoners and their families. Ameer Makhoul writes from Gilboa prison.

Al-Araqib was the last village I visited before my arrest. Al-Araqib is not just a village, but the very heart of a nation and a people. On 5 May 2010, I was there under the tent of Sheikh Sayah, a local leader. There was a big crowd after the destruction and the reconstruction of the village. We met there until late at night, taking advantage of the desert darkness. Ameer Makhoul comments.

The following is an excerpt from a letter by Palestinian political prisoner and civil society leader Ameer Makhoul, written in response to a postcard featuring an image of a lighthouse sent by The Electronic Intifada contributor Adri Nieuwhof: “The lighthouse, al-fanar in Arabic, is an inspiration. I have built a lighthouse here in jail. It has been built in my mind because I am not allowed to use the space, but my mind is totally mine.”