Adnan is one of thousands of Palestinian political prisoners, including hundreds (like him) held administratively uncharged and untried.
Israel’s military judicial system persecutes Palestinians viciously – especially under its Netanyahu-led fascist regime, racist, defiant of fundamental international laws, a testimony to Zionist ruthlessness.
The late Edward Said once called Israeli treatment of occupied Palestinians and Israeli Arab citizens a system of “demonization and delegitimization.” Brutalized control intends assuring they’ll “never be free,” he explained.
Adnan was arrested nine times earlier despite never committing a crime. He spent over six years in prison – mainly uncharged and untried.
He’s hunger striking for justice like three times before – notably from December 17, 2011 to February 21, 2012 for 66 days before Israel agreed to release him, improve prison conditions and lessen the practice of administrative detention.
Nothing promised followed. Israeli gulag harshness remains as vicious as ever. Earlier Adnan explained his struggle for justice, saying:
The Israeli occupation has gone to extremes against our people, especially prisoners. I have been humiliated, beaten, and harassed by interrogators for no reason, and thus I swore to God I would fight the policy of administrative detention to which I and hundreds of my fellow prisoners fell prey.The only thing I can do is offer my soul to God, as I believe righteousness and justice will eventually triumph over tyranny and oppression.I hereby assert that I am confronting the occupiers not for my own sake as an individual, but for the sake of thousands of prisoners who are being deprived of their simplest human rights while the world and international community look on.It is time the international community and the UN support prisoners and force the State of Israel to respect international human rights and stop treating prisoners as if they were not humans.
Israel’s militarized occupation harshness harms Jews and non-Jews alike. It’s a blight on humanity. It’s ghettoized slow-motion genocide against millions of Palestinians wanting only to live on their own land, in their own country in peace – what Israel systematically prohibits.
Adnan is dying for justice. Most recently he was arrested on July 8, 2014. He began hunger striking on May 6 2015- now in his 54th day as of Sunday, June 28.
The World Health Organization explains after 42 days on water alone, bodies shut down progressively – including loss of hearing, blindness, various forms of hemorrhaging, diminished metabolic activity, other functional disorders and eventual death by cardiovascular collapse and/or severe arrhythmias.
Adnan is hospitalized in extreme pain – shackled to his bed, constantly monitored by guards and surveillance cameras. He’s denied visits and contact with family members.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) commented after his 53rd day without food, saying he remains painfully shackled to his bed. His clothes are dirty.
His nails are untrimmed. He’s losing his hair. His body odor is pronounced. He lost a third of his weight. He endures extreme discomfort including chest pain.
He’s near death without relief. The ICRC said he’s “at immediate risk.” He refuses examination by prison doctors he distrusts for obvious reasons.
On Friday, thousands of Palestinians marched through the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound supporting his struggle for justice. They carried banners displaying his image and chanted slogans calling for his release.
His lawyer Jawad Bolous expressed concern saying his condition could cause “sudden death. Every minute, every second, every hour that passes makes his situation worse,” he explained.
He’s negotiating with Israel for his release – so far with no success. “Khader is a gift to humanity since he is willing to sacrifice his life, and all he asks…is to (be) treat(ed)” like a human being, he said.
Islamic Jihad leader Khalid al-Barsh in support of Adnan said “(w)e will not accept that our sons die inside jails on hunger strike while our enemies remain safe.”
“If Khader Adnan dies, the ceasefire will be at stake.” He urged PA officials, Egypt and the international community to intervene on his behalf.
Adnan said he’ll refuse food until either officially charged or released. His life hangs in the balance. Al-Aqsa University Professor Haidar Eid recited a poem dedicated to his courage, saying:
Extend your steps, the walk to freedom is still longAnd we have no alternativeEvery step on the road is a lanternSo how can we not go on?
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.
It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.
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