Force-feeding bill follows mass hunger strike warning

The force-feeding bill passed a first reading in the past Knesset but did not progress past this stage to a second and third reading before passage.

According to the report, Erdan asked the Knesset Secretariat to bring the bill to a second and third reading. The procedure is pending approval by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and according to Channel 2, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked signaled that she would try to get the committee to approve.

The Israel Prisons Service says that at present, four prisoners are refusing to eat, and that after the month-long Ramadan holiday, an extensive hunger strike may start. The IPS says it does not have the capability of handling large numbers of hunger-striking prisoners.

According to the revised draft of the bill, a procedure to force-feed a prisoner would require approval from a district court presiding judge or their deputy, and the prisoner in question would have the right to defend their decision through a lawyer.

“I will promote the bill and not let [prisoners] harm the security of the state or succumb to any threats. This is also a humane issue. Just as I expect a prison guard who sees a prisoner trying to hurt themselves to prevent it – we must also prevent a risk of death by hunger-striking,” Erdan said according to Channel 2.