Israeli political and religious figures this week urged participants in a hunger strike, now in its 43rd day, to end the vigil against the government’s peace negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The strikers have refused to end their protest, which is taking place opposite the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.
Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau visited the demonstrators’ tent Tuesday and issued a religious ruling that called for an end the strike.
Knesset opposition members, led by Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, also visited the site. Netanyahu called on the protesters to end their fast, and asked them to take part in activities the opposition has planned for next month.
Meanwhile, in Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip, students and resident took part in a special prayer service to show their solidarity with the strikers.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
