By Andrew Warshaw
June 21 – Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak, who has been on hunger strike in protest at being held in an Israeli jail without charge, has agreed to resume eating in exchange for early release, according to his lawyer.
Sarsak (pictured above) has been detained for three years after Israeli officials accused him of being involved with Islamic Jihad, saying he had planted bombs and recruited and trained other militants.
In addition to Sarsak, two other players are also being held without trial.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who was arrested in July 2009 at a crossing between his native Gaza and Israel on his way to the West Bank for a football match, has been imprisoned since then without formal charges or trial.
He has always denied the allegations and his lawyer, Mohammed Jabarin, is reported as saying an agreement has been reached for him to be released on July 10.
In return, he will start eating again and be transferred to a civilian hospital for treatment.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) last week urged UEFA President Michel Platini to ban Israel from hosting the European Under-21 Championship next year.
Palestine is a formal FIFA member and world football’s governing body has already expressed its concern, urging Israel’s football authorities to intervene on Sarsak’s behalf.
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