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Khader Adnan

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Khader Adnan (1979- ) is a spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. He is believed by Israel to be a leader of the movement, although it is not known if he was directly involved in any militant activity. He is currently on a hunger strike which has been the longest Palestinian history.

Arrest and hunger strike

On 17 December 2011 Adnan was arrested by the Israeli Army after they raided his home in Arrabah near Jenin in the West Bank. A day after his arrest, Adnan began a hunger strike in protest of his violent arrest and an Israeli interrogation in which he claimed the interrogation team subjected him to humiliation, insult and verbal abuse. Specific allegations included Israeli soldiers making sexual innuendoes about his wife, mocking his Islamic religion, being beaten, tied to a chair in painful positions, having hair ripped from his beard and dirt wiped on his face. Israeli authorities did not comment on Adnan's claims. His hunger strike is still ongoing and is the longest in Palestinian history. According to his wife and lawyers, Adnan's mistreatment continued and included lengthy periods of solitary confinement, multiple strip searches, and continuous abusive interrogation.

On 30 December, he was transferred to a hospital, but subsequently refused treatment by Israeli doctors. After meeting Adnan in the hospital, the Israeli branch of Physicians for Human Rights, expressed "grave concern" and about his situation, which spokesman Hadas Ziv described as "critical." Since he began his hunger strike, Adnan has went from weighing 200 lbs to weighing 121 lbs.

Adnan's wife Randa Adnan or (also referred to as Umm Abdel Rahman) stated that Adnan appeared emaciated and dirty and was shackled to his hospital bed. On 9 February, in response to criticism from human rights groups, the Israeli Prison Authority stated Adnan's case was being "strictly according to the law ... with special attention being given to his humanitarian situation." The prison service also stated that Adnan agreed to take potassium pills and does not want to die.

Since 10 January 2012 he has officially been under administrative detention, a sentence which will last until 8 May at which point his detention could be renewed if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary. Under the administrative detention procedure, the Israeli military could hold detainees for an indefinite period without charge or evidence if it deems them to be security threats. Adnan has not been charged and his appeal to stand trial was rejected by an Israeli military court judge on 13 February 2012. Randa Adnan has appealed to Egyptian authorities to help release her husband stating "Hope is now in Egypt to release Adnan. There's talk about Egyptian efforts to do so and I hope it's true. Egypt had an active role in the last prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel – it is our older sister and we hope it intervenes."

Reactions

Adnan's hunger strike has drawn critical scrutiny of this particular Israeli detention practice by a number of human rights groups, international bodies and Palestinian leaders and protesters.

Palestinian

Israel's refusal to release Adnan or allow him to be tried has provoked growing demonstrations by Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have joined Adnan's hunger strike in solidarity. Hundreds of Palestinians staged a demonstration at the Ofer Prison where Adnan was being held. The Israeli Army dispersed the protester using rubber bullets and tear gas. At a separate demonstration in Beit Ummar near Hebron two Israelis and two Palestinians were arrested by Israelis. Around 50-60 Palestinian protested outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to show solidarity with Adnan. His hometown of Arrabah has also been a center of protests supporting Adnan, with demonstrators camping outside his house and Palestinian and foreign officials visiting to inquire about his health.

Human rights groups

  • Human Rights Watch stated Israel must "immediately end its unlawful administrative detention" of Adnan and "charge or release him." Spokeswoman Sarah Leah Whitson said "Israel should end, today, before it's too late, its almost two-month-long refusal to inform Adnan of any criminal charge or evidence against him."
  • Amnesty International condemned Israel's policy of administrative detention.
  • Adameer expressed "utmost concern about the health" of Adnan, holding Israel accountable for his life.

International

  • United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry instructed Israel "to do everything in its power to preserve the health of the prisoner and resolve this case while abiding by all legal obligations under international law."

References

  1. Hadid, Diaa. Palestinian prisoner on 55th day of hunger strike MSNBC. 2012-02-09.
  2. ^ Flowe, Kevin and Khadder, Kareem. Palestinian detainee in Israel now more than 50 days into hunger strike. CNN. 2012-02-09. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
  3. ^ Donnison, Jon. Palestinian on hunger strike 'in critical condition. BBC News. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
  4. ^ Palestinian prisoner on 55th day of hunger strike. YNET. 2012-02-09. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
  5. ^ Israel denies appeal of jailed hunger striker. Al Jazeera English. 2012-02-13. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
  6. ^ Wife of Palestinian hunger striker calls for Egyptian help. Ahram Online. 2012-02-14. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
  7. In photos: Protest in Bethlehem to support Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
  8. Israeli court to hold session for Khader Adnan in hospital. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.

External links

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