Actions on the International Day of Palestinian Prisoners
Featured image: Palestinians take part in a protest a day before Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, on 16th April 2026. Source: Reuters.
On April 17th every year, the International Day of Palestinian Prisoners is marked, designated by the Palestinian National Council (PNC) in 1974, marking the first prisoner exchange between Palestine and Israel on the 17th of April, 1971. This year the day is marked with especial vigor, following the recent death penalty law passed in the Israeli Parliament, allowing the sentencing to death of Palestinian prisoners.
As of early April, more than 9,600 Palestinians were in Israeli custody. 3,532 are administrative detainees – held without charge or trial, 342 are children and 119 are serving life sentences.
In Palestine, demonstrations have taken place, both in Gaza and throughout the West Bank. On April 16th, in front of the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City, a demonstration was held, protesting the newly enacted Israeli death penalty law for Palestinian prisoners. Doctors in Gaza also carried out a demonstration calling for the release of their fellow doctors and nurses.
In the West Bank demonstrations were held in Ramallah, Tubas Governorate, Nablus and in Qalqilya, denouncing the violations Palestinian prisoners face in Israeli prisons as well as the newly enacted death penalty law.
In the Jaramana refugee camp, a large demonstration took place in support of Palestinian prisoners denouncing the death penalty law that has been issued against them by the Israeli Knesset.
In Yemen, millions gathered on April 17th in the heart of the capital, Sanaa, denouncing the tyranny of Israel on Palestinians and the war of aggression on Iran and Lebanon.
In Morocco a demonstration was held in Marrakech in solidarity with the detainees in Israeli prisons and in support of Gaza and its people.
The Palestine Action Committee, of which Partizan is a component, held a demonstration on April 17th at the at Taksim Tunnel in Istanbul, Turkey, in support of Palestinian prisoners and protesting the Israeli regime’s genocidal policies and its death penalty law.
A Nova Democracia (AND) from Brazil published a note on the 17th April, highlighting the fact that on the International Day of Political Prisoners, communist Carmen Villalba, historic leader of the Paraguayan People’s Army (EPP) still remains in prison despite serving out her sentence, being held under inhumane conditions.
Anti-imperialist Front – Ecuador published a poster calling for the release of political prisoners.
On April 17th The Communist Youth of France participated in a rally in Rennes for Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners, highlighting the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, and voicing their commitment to the call from the International Anti-imperialist League (AIL) to support Ahmed Sa’adat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). AIL and FSE Rennes were also present in the Rally.
In Paris, a rally was carried out in front of the Saint-Denis municipality, organized by the Communist Youth, in which Partizan also participated. Speeches at the action protested the death penalty law passed against Palestinian resistance prisoners and the proposed Yadan law in France. A call was made to attend the upcoming trial of comrade Alex in May, and a text written for the action by Partizanwas read aloud.
In Grenoble a banner drop was carried out. The banner reads “Freedom for the Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners! Palestine will win!” signed by the Communist Youth and Anti-imperialist League.
A letter writing workshop was carried out on the occasion of the “International Day of Political Prisoners” in Lille. AIL, the Kanaky Solidarity Association, and the Anti-Prison Collective participated.
AIL France released a statement calling for the freedom of Ahmed Sa’adat and all Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners.
