Tens of people gathered in central London on Saturday to call for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, drawing attention to those detained under what Israel calls ”administrative detention” — a system under which people can be held for indefinite renewable periods of time without a charge and without having committed an offence — on the grounds that a person plans to break the law in the future.Activists wore red ribbons, which they said symbolised danger and urgency, in an effort to draw the world’s attention to the plight of Palestinian prisoners.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listOrganisers of the vigil said they wanted the gathering to mark the start of a global campaign.There was a particular focus on Dr Hussam Abu Safia, former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, who was taken from that medical facility by the Israeli army in December 2024. His lawyer and family members say he has been beaten, tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment in Israeli custody, including prolonged periods of solitary confinement.“We are clear about this vocabulary – they are hostages, not like any prisoners, and our symbol today is Dr Hussam Abu Safia,” said Adnan Hmidan, chair of the Palestinian Forum in the United Kingdom and the event organiser.“They collected him from the hospital while he was wearing his white coat and took him in the tank, in front of everyone in that hospital,” Hmidan said, adding that some Palestinian detainees are unable to s …
