Palestinian hunger strike leader again refuses food

Khader Adnan was key figure in 2012 hunger strike that won 1,600 followers, in protest of administrative detention

By ToI Staff 10 May 2015, 5:07 pm
Palestinian Ameeneh Nazzal, 75, holds a photo of her son, Ahmed, who she says is held in an Israeli jail, during a demonstration in support of Palestinian prisoners on a hunger strike, in the West Bank city of Jenin, June 3, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Mohammed Ballas)

Khader Adnan, an Islamic Jihad activist held in administrative detention in Israel, has launched a hunger strike after his remand was extended, Israel Radio reported Sunday.

Adnan held a hunger strike three years ago that drew many other Palestinian prisoners to join him.

At the time he was released after the State Attorney’s Office assessed that if he or another Palestinian prisoner would die from starvation, it would trigger widespread violence between Palestinians and Israelis.

Some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners followed in Adnan’s footsteps. Several were hospitalized after refusing food for more than 74 days.

Palestinian leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, have warned Israel that violence could erupt if a hunger striker were to die while in detention.

The protest centered around the Palestinians’ claim that administrative detention is illegal. Thousands of Palestinians rallied to give prisoners better living conditions across Israel at the time.

Adnan is held in Hadarim Prison in the Sharon region.

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