Clashes break out at protest over hunger-striking Palestinian

Violent clashes broke out between Arab Israeli protesters and right-wing Jewish Israeli activists Wednesday outside the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where the hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Allaan is hospitalized.

Allaan’s condition has been deteriorating after a nearly two-month-long hunger strike protesting the fact that he is being held without trial by Israel, under a security measure known as administrative detention. An alleged member of the Islamic Jihad terror group, Allaan has been incarcerated since November.

Several dozen Arab demonstrators who arrived in the area to show their support for Allaan were met by a small crowd of right-wing protesters, and a scuffle broke out. Stones were reported to have been thrown throughout the incident by members of both groups.

Police forces arrived at the scene shortly after the clashes began in an attempt to break up the fight. Two men were arrested on suspicion of hurling stones.

Allaan’s attorney Jamil al-Khatib told AFP that Israeli judicial officials “informed me of the intention to proceed with the force-feeding of Mr Allaan.” He added that Allaan, himself a lawyer, was placed in intensive hospital care when his body became unable to absorb drinking water.

Israeli authorities have declared their intention to force-feed Allaan, his lawyer said Saturday.

Palestinians in Israeli prisons regularly go on hunger strike to protest their imprisonment without charges. Last month, Israel freed alleged Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan after a 56-day hunger strike that brought him close to death.

On July 30, the Knesset approved a law allowing prison authorities to force-feed hunger striking prisoners facing death, sparking criticism from rights groups and doctors.

While the new law does not specifically mention Palestinians, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who sponsored the legislation, said last week it was necessary since “hunger strikes of terrorists in prisons have become a means to threaten Israel.”

The Israeli Medical Association has balked, however, at participating in such treatment.

In a letter last month addressed to Erdan and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, IMA Chairman Dr. Leonid Eidelman said he had instructed doctors to act solely according to the demands of ethics and not to force-feed prisoners on a hunger strike.

“The Medical Association views the intention to legislate force-feeding very severely,” Eidelman said. “Our objection was expressed to [representatives of] government ministries and the attorney general at every opportunity.”