Second Jewish extremist goes on hunger strike

A second right-wing Jewish extremist held in administrative detention since August has gone on a hunger strike to protest his detention, following a similar move by a fellow detainee several days ago.

Eviatar Slonim, who was arrested on August 3, 2015, and placed in detention several days later, has joined the eight-day hunger strike of Meir Ettinger, the grandson of the slain far-right activist Meir Kahane, who was also arrested in August.

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein approved the order for a six-month detention issued by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon against Ettinger and Slonim last August. The Lod District Court upheld the order in mid-September 2015.

Under administrative detention, an anti-terror measure more commonly used for Palestinian prisoners, one can be held for six months without being charged or tried. The order can be renewed indefinitely.

“I hope that the security authorities have internalized the lack of danger Eviatar Slonim poses to the public, and refrain from determining the continuation of his administrative detention, which causes damage to him and his family,” Slonim’s attorney Aaron Rosa said Tuesday, according to the Israel National News website.

Israeli authorities believe both Slonim and Ettinger are members of a Jewish terrorist group.

Ettinger was arrested for “involvement in violent activities and terrorist attacks that occurred recently, and his role as part of a Jewish terrorist group.” His arrest was linked to the firebombing of a home in the West Bank Palestinian village of Duma that left a toddler and his parents dead. Amiram Ben-Uliel, 21, was charged on January 3 with their murder; a minor was charged as his accomplice.

Illustrative: Meir Ettinger, grandson of Rabbi Meir Kahane, seen at Nazareth Magistrate’s court August 04, 2015. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)

Shin Bet officials have said Ettinger heads a movement that also was responsible for the June arson attack at the historic Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and seeks to bring down the government and replace it with a Jewish theocracy.

Ettinger reportedly was recently transferred to solitary confinement and has limited, monitored contact with his family.

Stuart Winer contributed to this report.