SAKHNIN, Israel, May 19 (UPI) -- Palestinian Israelis celebrated the end of a hunger strike by prisoners with a "victory rally," officials said.
The demonstration was held in Sakhnin, a Palestinian town in northern Israel, Ynetnews reported. Local officials and members of the Israeli Knesset or Parliament joined relatives of the prisoners and hundreds of others for what was billed as a "victory rally."
Prisoners ended the hunger strike after 30 days. They were protesting indefinite detention and prison conditions.
"Today, we celebrate the victory of the security prisoners, who went on a hunger strike as part of a just fight. We are happy they were given their basic rights and we will continue to fight for them," lawmaker Jahal Zahalka told Ynet. "Some security prisoners have been held in Israel for over 30 years. That is an unjust punishment and they should be released. Today, the prisoners finally understand their own power -- they understand that they can get their rights if they demand them."
