Hunger striker shines light on Israeli detention policy

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"MY DIGNITY is more precious than food,'' said a Palestinian prisoner, Khader Adnan, as he started the 53rd day of his hunger strike. That was 11 days ago; he is now perilously close to death.

Shackled to his hospital bed by both legs and one arm, the 33-year-old has lost at least 30 kilograms and doctors from Physicians for Human Rights who are monitoring his health each day say his condition has deteriorated so significantly that he may die at any time.

Mr Adnan was arrested by Israeli security forces at 3.30am on December 17 at his home in the village of Arrabeh, near the West Bank city of Jenin. He is one of the more than 300 Palestinians being held by Israeli authorities under ''administrative detention'' (detention without charge), rights groups say.

As he entered his 64th day without food on Sunday, there is mounting international and Palestinian pressure on Israel to either release him or charge him.

To date Israel has not yet revealed what, if anything, he will be charged with or why he was arrested. Under the country's much-criticised military court system, prisoners can be held for up to six months without charge, and that period can be renewed over and over again."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/hunger-striker-shines-light-on-israeli-detention-policy-20120219-1th7t.html#ixzz1mqiqaiRr

[oberliner]

1. Thank you for posting this

I've tried to generate attention to this story but it seems that not too many folks are interested.

The High Court is hearing his appeal on Thursday.

People should not be held without charge for this long in any country. And there are many who have been and are being held significantly longer than he has been. Perhaps more people will pay attention.

[Mosby]

2. Adnan is a leader in Islamic Jihad

The evidence against him cannot be made public so as to protect the intelligence gathering capabilities of the Israelis in the OTs.

[azurnoir]

3. yes not to mention the 99.74% conviction rate of Israeli military courts

something like that needs protecting

[oberliner]

4. They should charge him with something or let him go

Same deal with the others.

Administrative detention for a week or so, ok, in rare circumstances, but not a few hundred people for months at a time.

Arrested people ought to be charged with something and have the right to a trial.