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Not according to Israel. Occupation harshness denies all rights. In prison, conditions are appalling. On May 3, Haaretz headlined "Palestinian convicts on hunger strike must leave bed to see lawyer, Israel Prison Service says."
IPS responded to a letter sent by several human rights organizations. At issue is denying representation to pressure protesters to stop striking.
IPS spokeswoman Sivan Weitzman said:
"A prisoner who is interested in holding a meeting with an attorney needs to physically get up and tell the prison authorities he wants to attend the meeting."
Long-term strikers like Bilal and Thaer can't stand or walk. Neither can two others who haven't eaten for weeks. IPS insists they do it anyway.
Addameer petitioned Israel's High Court for Bilal and Thaer. It protested against the West Bank military governor and Israel's decision to lawlessly detain them indefinitely uncharged. A hearing was held. Bilal collapsed. As a result, he was hospitalized. Its ruling was delayed "until further notice." On May 3, Addammer said:
"No decision was made in today's Israeli High Court hearing regarding the administrative detention of Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahleh, currently on their 66th day of hunger strike.""Both Bilal and Thaer were brought to the hearing and attended in wheelchairs. During the hearing, Bilal fainted and there were no doctors present inside the court."
"Thaer testified to the mistreatment he has suffered since his arrest. Judge Amnon Rubenstein announced that the panel of judges would make a decision after reviewing the 'secret file', but after the review there was still no decision. He said that the parties will be informed of the decision later on, without stating when."
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