Khader Adnan's Heroic Struggle for Justice
Israel's slowly killing Adnan willfully and maliciously.
by Stephen Lendman
Saturday marked his 56th hunger striking day. "My dignity is more precious than food," he said. He's willing to die courageously defending it.
He's protesting his lawless detention and treatment by repressive Israeli prison authorities. They're committing willful, malicious slow-motion murder.
He's uncharged because he's innocent. Yet Israel illegally detains him under horrific conditions. Without food for eight weeks, his life hangs by a thread. He could die before this article's published.
On February 9, a special Military Court appeal on his behalf was held at Safad's Zif medical center where he's held shackled to his bed near death.
For the hearing, he was moved to a separate room still shackled except for his hands. Despite his condition and gross injustice, Judge Moshe Tirosh won't rule until next week. By then it may not matter, and that's the whole idea.
His contemptible excuse was needing more documents to disguise state-sponsored murder.
As a result, expect him to be detained until he dies regardless of innocence and injustice. Arrested Palestinians are guilty whether or not charged. Rarely are detainees freed. Repressive military courts refuse. Israel's Supreme Court seldom intervenes. Repression defines Israeli policy. State terror enforces it.
Adnan symbolizes its ruthlessness. He's willing to die telling the world. Supporters called for worldwide hunger strikes in protest. Online social networks promote it.
A Free Palestine supporter said, "I am a Palestinian living in Qatar. I am in solidarity with captive hero Khader Adnan." Other support came from New York, Chicago, Washington and other US cities, Argentina, Honduras, Canada, England, Mexico, Lebanon, Algeria, South Africa, Slovakia, France, the Czech Republic, Italy, Israel, Palestine, and elsewhere.
Street protesters held signs saying "Dignity over food," waved Palestinian flags, and chanted "Khader Adnan epitomizes the resilience, the steadfastness, and resistance of the Palestinian people."
On February 11, Ma'an News reported that Palestinian Authority prisoners affairs minister Issa Qaraqe said Egypt's intervening to help. How seriously isn't known. Its ruling military junta breaches international humanitarian laws egregiously.
Nonetheless, Qaraqe said Egyptian officials asked Israeli authorities to release Adnan. He added that Palestinian leaders Abbas and Salam Fayyad contacted other countries to help. In support, hundreds of Palestinian detainees plan supportive hunger strikes.
In a letter to prison authorities, they warned the situation may escalate if Adnan dies. So far, UN authorities have done little. UN special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry merely said he's following Adnan "with concern."
