| Revision as of 11:02, 19 February 2012 view sourceBiosketch (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,900 edits Rmv unsourced birth place – see Discussion.← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:55, 19 February 2012 view source Tiamut (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers31,614 edits →Arrest and hunger strike: restore part of what was there, retain part of what was added and change a third part to be more detailed -the hearing he was given is described in detail now, its the only one so farNext edit → | ||
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| <blockquote>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.<ref name=Cassel>Cassel, Matthew. . '']''. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.</ref><ref name=Maan2>. '']''. 2012-02-11.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>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.<ref name=Cassel>Cassel, Matthew. . '']''. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.</ref><ref name=Maan2>. '']''. 2012-02-11.</ref></blockquote> | ||
| He has officially been under administrative detention since 10 January 2012, a term set to last until 8 May at which point his detention could be renewed if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary.<ref name="AlJazeera"/> As of 31 December 2011, there were 307 Palestinians in administrative detention, including 21 members of the ], the parliament of the Palestinian Authority.<ref name=AI>Amnesty International. . 2012-02-06.</ref> Under the administrative detention procedure, the |
He has officially been under administrative detention since 10 January 2012, a term set to last until 8 May at which point his detention could be renewed if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary.<ref name="AlJazeera"/> As of 31 December 2011, there were 307 Palestinians in administrative detention, including 21 members of the ], the parliament of the Palestinian Authority.<ref name=AI>Amnesty International. . 2012-02-06.</ref> Under the administrative detention procedure, the Israeli military can hold detainees for an indefinite period without charge or evidence if it deems them to be security threats.<ref name="CNN"/> the decision to detain any individual must be based on evidence presented to judges, and is subject to judicial review.<ref name="ABA">. '']''. 2009-06-02. Retrieved on 2012-02-18.</ref> Adnan has not been formally charged with any crime; Israel states he was arrested "for activities that threaten regional security." Israel, together with the European Union, Canada, the United States and others, considers the PIJ, which has launched attacks against Israeli civilian and military targets, to be a terrorist group.<ref name="YNET"/><ref name="BBC2"/> An Israeli military court judge rejected his first appeal against detention in a session convened at the hospital in ] where he is being held on 13 February 2012.<ref name="AlJazeera">. ''].'' 2012-02-13. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.</ref> | ||
| Adnan told his lawyers that Israeli soldiers made sexual innuendos about his wife, mocked ] his religion, beat him, tied him to a chair in painful positions, ripped hair from his beard and wiped dirt on his face. Israeli authorities did not comment on these allegations.<ref name="YNET"/> According to his wife and lawyers, Adnan's mistreatment continued and included lengthy periods of solitary confinement, multiple strip searches, and continuous abusive interrogation. | Adnan told his lawyers that Israeli soldiers made sexual innuendos about his wife, mocked ] his religion, beat him, tied him to a chair in painful positions, ripped hair from his beard and wiped dirt on his face. Israeli authorities did not comment on these allegations.<ref name="YNET"/> According to his wife and lawyers, Adnan's mistreatment continued and included lengthy periods of solitary confinement, multiple strip searches, and continuous abusive interrogation. | ||
Revision as of 15:55, 19 February 2012
| Khader Adnan | |
|---|---|
| خضر عدنان | |
| Born | Khader Adnan Mohammad Musa (1978-03-24) March 24, 1978 (age 46) |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
Khader Adnan (also Khader Adnan Mohammad Musa) (24 March 1978- ) is a Palestinian prisoner in Israel. He is said to be a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the West Bank with a leadership position in the organization. Israeli authorities have not laid any formal charges against him, but say he was arrested for "threatening regional security." The PIJ is designated a terrorist group by Israel and other countries. It is not known if Adnan was directly involved in any militant activity. His wife says he holds no leadership role in the PIJ, is not involved in militant activities, and is a member of the Palestinian reconciliation committee.
In his hometown of Arraba, Jenin, Adnan works as a baker and owns a produce store; he also holds a Masters degree in Economics. He was arrested on 17 December 2011 after midnight. Since 18 December 2011, in protest against Israel's policy of administrative detention and its treatment of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, particularly prisoners, he has been on a hunger strike, the longest in Palestinian history.
Life
Adnan is married to Randa Adnan who is also referred to as Umm Abdel Rahman. They have two daughters. Khader graduated with a master's degree in economics from Birzeit University near Ramallah. He has a job as a baker and also owns a produce store in his home town of Arraba, near Jenin in the West Bank. According to Palestinian prisoners' support group Addameer, prior to his most recent arrest, Adnan was detained by Israel seven times, and served a total of six years in prison. Addameer says he held a 12-day hunger strike to protest his isolation in Kfar Yona in 2005. Gideon Levy says the first time he undertook a hunger strike was in 2010, during his 12-day detention by the Palestinian National Authority.
Adnan is believed to be a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank according to the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, However, it is not known if he was was involved in any militant activity and Israeli officials have not provided any evidence or information regarding his participation in the movement. According to MSNBC, YNET and the Associated Press Adnan served as a spokesman for the organization. The Guardian and Agence France Press state he was a "one-time spokesman" for the PIJ in the past. His wife Randa fiercely denied Adnan had any leadership role in the PIJ, or any role in militant activities. She stated he was a member of the Palestinian reconciliation committee which seeks to bridge gaps between various Palestinian factions such as Hamas and Fatah.
Arrest and hunger strike
On 17 December 2011 Adnan was arrested by the Israeli Army after they raided his home in Arraba in the middle of the night. The next day he began a hunger strike that is still ongoing and already the longest in Palestinian history.
In a letter he gave to his lawyers for public release, Adnan explained why he was on hunger strike:
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.
He has officially been under administrative detention since 10 January 2012, a term set to last until 8 May at which point his detention could be renewed if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary. As of 31 December 2011, there were 307 Palestinians in administrative detention, including 21 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the parliament of the Palestinian Authority. Under the administrative detention procedure, the Israeli military can hold detainees for an indefinite period without charge or evidence if it deems them to be security threats. the decision to detain any individual must be based on evidence presented to judges, and is subject to judicial review. Adnan has not been formally charged with any crime; Israel states he was arrested "for activities that threaten regional security." Israel, together with the European Union, Canada, the United States and others, considers the PIJ, which has launched attacks against Israeli civilian and military targets, to be a terrorist group. An Israeli military court judge rejected his first appeal against detention in a session convened at the hospital in Safed where he is being held on 13 February 2012.
Adnan told his lawyers that Israeli soldiers made sexual innuendos about his wife, mocked Islam his religion, beat him, tied him to a chair in painful positions, ripped hair from his beard and wiped dirt on his face. Israeli authorities did not comment on these allegations. According to his wife and lawyers, Adnan's mistreatment continued and included lengthy periods of solitary confinement, multiple strip searches, and continuous abusive interrogation.
On 30 December, he was transferred to a hospital, but subsequently refused treatment from Israeli doctors. After meeting Adnan in the hospital, the organization Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, expressed "grave concern" and about his situation, which its doctors described as "critical." Since beginning his hunger strike, Adnan has gone from weighing 200 lbs to weighing 121 lbs.
Adnan's wife Randa Adnan stated that Adnan appeared emaciated and dirty and was shackled to his hospital bed. On 9 February, in response to criticism from human rights groups, the Israeli Prison Authority stated Adnan's case was being "strictly according to the law ... with special attention being given to his humanitarian situation." The prison service also stated that Adnan agreed to take potassium pills and does not want to die.
Randa Adnan has appealed to Egyptian authorities to help release her husband stating "Hope is now in Egypt to release Adnan. There's talk about Egyptian efforts to do so and I hope it's true. Egypt had an active role in the last prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel – it is our older sister and we hope it intervenes." The Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs has confirmed that Egypt was intervening with Israel to release Adnan.
On 16 February, Adnan's lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court of Israel to release him, citing that Adnan is in "immediate danger of death." However, a hearing has not been set up. Lawyer Mahmoud Kassandra stated "This is the last chance. The medical report says he could die at any minute. We hope this will succeed but I am not optimistic." Following a visit to Adnan by Rebecca Ziv from Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, she said of his situation:
He has lost 30kg and weighs 60kg. He suffers from stomach aches, vomiting, sometimes with blood, and headaches … His general condition is pale and very weak, his tongue is smooth, he has slight bleeding from the gums, dry skin, loss of hair, and significant muscular atrophy. His pulse is weak, blood pressure 100/75. He is permanently connected to a heart monitor.
Reactions
Adnan's hunger strike has drawn critical scrutiny of Israel's practice of administrative detention by a number of human rights groups, international bodies and Palestinian leaders and protesters. He has garnered a large following on Facebook and Twitter. Several of Adnan's supporters argue his case has not received proper coverage in the international and Israeli media.
Demonstrations and solidarity strikes
Some Palestinians have protested in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in support of Adnan. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have joined Adnan's hunger strike in solidarity. Adnan's father Musa Adnan started an open-ended hunger strike on 6 February, telling Ma'an News Agency it would "enable him to support his son and understand his pain." His hometown of Arraba has been a center of demonstrations, with solidarity protesters camping outside his house which Palestinian and foreign officials have been visiting to inquire about Adnan's health conditions. Around 50-60 Palestinian protested outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to show solidarity with Adnan on 8 February.
On 11 February hundreds of Palestinians staged a demonstration at the Ofer Prison where Adnan was being held. The Israeli Army dispersed the protesters using rubber bullets and tear gas, injuring 16. At a separate demonstration in Beit Ummar near Hebron two Israelis and two Palestinians were arrested by Israel. Dozens of students from Birzeit University that gathered outside Ofer Prison on 13 February demanding Adnan's release were dispersed by Israeli security forces resulting in the injury of 23 people. On 15 February, supporters began an open hunger strike at a sit-in in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City.
On 16 February, the 61st day of Adnan's hunger strike, thousands of demonstrators protested throughout the Palestinian territories. About 1,000 mostly young Palestinians protested outside of Ofer Prison before being dispersed and in Hebron, hundreds of supporters held a sit-in holding posters reading "No to administrative arbitrary detention." That same day, Palestinians observed a 10-hour hunger strike in solidarity.
Around 5,000 protesters demonstrated in Gaza City on 17 February chanting "We are all Khader Adnan," with the PIJ, Hamas and Fatah factions all participating. In Jenin, meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians partook in a solidarity protest.
Protests in solidarity with Adnan were also held in the United States, particularly in New York, Chicago and Washington D.C.
Human rights groups
Addameer, a Palestinian prisoners' support group expressed "utmost concern about the health" of Adnan, holding Israel accountable for his life. The head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society Qadura Fares condemned the Israeli court's refusal of Adnan's appeal..
Human Rights Watch stated Israel must "immediately end its unlawful administrative detention" of Adnan and "charge or release him." Spokeswoman Sarah Leah Whitson said "Israel should end, today, before it's too late, its almost two-month-long refusal to inform Adnan of any criminal charge or evidence against him." Amnesty International condemned Israel's policy of administrative detention, and the Israeli human rights group B'tselem sent an urgent request to Israeli Minister of Intelligence, Dan Meridor, to either immediately release or try Adnan to "prevent a needless tragedy to him and his family."
Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights, criticized "authority figures, from the UN Secretary General on down," who he said expressed empathy for Gilad Shalit, while being "notably silent in the much more compelling ordeal being experienced before our eyes in the form of Mr Adnan's captivity, seemingly unto death." .
Politicans
The Palestinian National Authority condemned his arrest and demanded his immediate release. In response to Israel's refusal of Adnan's appeal, Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqe stated the decision showed "utter disregard for Adnan's life, effectively condemning him to die." He praised Adnan for "taking a stand" against the use of administrative detention. At a rally on 16 February, Qaraqe said, "Khader Adnan has become a national symbol, an Arab symbol and an international symbol for his defence of the dignity of free men throughout the entire world."
Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti, who was injured after being shot in the foot with a rubber bullet by Israeli security forces during a solidarity protest, called for an international campaign demanding Adnan's release. Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders Sheikh Nafez Azzam, Dawood Shihab, Khader Habib and Ahmad Mudallal participated in the open hunger strike that began on 15 February saying it was the "least we can do for this legendary symbol."
At a Friday sermon at the Great Mosque of Gaza, PIJ leader Nafez Azzam stated Adnan was "not fighting for a personal cause, but for the defence of thousands of prisoners." Furthermore, he accused Arab and Western countries of ignoring Adnan's case saying "Shame on the nations of hundreds of millions (of Muslims) for the fact that Khader Adnan is still in prison." Gaza-based Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, declared at a rally in Gaza that same day that, "The Palestinian people, with all its components and its factions, will never abandon the hero prisoners, especially those who lead this hunger strike battle."
On 18 February, it was reported that in meetings with officials from China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the European Union, President Mahmoud Abbas and PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat pressed for Adnan's release.
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry instructed Israel "to do everything in its power to preserve the health of the prisoner and resolve this case while abiding by all legal obligations under international law." On 18 February, European Union head Catherine Ashton called on Israel to preserve Adnan's health and reiterated the EU's concern over "the extensive use by Israel of administrative detention without formal charge."
See also
References
- "Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association - KHADER ADNAN MOHAMMAD MUSA". Addameer. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
- ^ Palestinians rally in support of hunger strike prisoner. BBC News. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.
- ^ Hadid, Diaa. Palestinian prisoner on 55th day of hunger strike MSNBC. 2012-02-09.
- ^ Wife of Palestinian hunger striker calls for Egyptian help. Ahram Online. 2012-02-14. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- ^ Levy, Gideon. Twilight Zone / 'One man against the state'. Haaretz. 2012-02-17.
- ^ Flower, Kevin and Khadder, Kareem. Palestinian detainee in Israel now more than 50 days into hunger strike. CNN. 2012-02-09. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- ^ Donnison, Jon. Palestinian on hunger strike 'in critical condition. BBC News. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- ^ Cassel, Matthew. Khader Adnan: No food without freedom. Al Jazeera English. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.
- ^ Khader Adnan Mohammad Musa Profile. Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.
- ^ Sherwood, Harriet. Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan 'near death' in Israeli detention. The Guardian. 2012-02-16. Retrieved on 2012-02-16.
- ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. Thousands rally for Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.
- ^ Israel denies appeal of jailed hunger striker. Al Jazeera English. 2012-02-13. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- ^ Palestinian prisoner on 55th day of hunger strike. YNET. 2012-02-09. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- ^ El Batsh, Majeda. Palestinian hunger striker appeals to Israel Supreme Court. Agence France Press. 2012-02-16. Retrieved on 2012-02-16.
- Hunger-striking prisoner not backing down. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-11.
- Amnesty International. Israel must release or try Palestinian detainee on prolonged hunger strike. 2012-02-06.
- American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, Exploring Counterterrorism Detention Alternatives. ABA. 2009-06-02. Retrieved on 2012-02-18.
- Cassel, Qaraqe: Egypt intervening to free Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-10. Retrieved on 2012-02-16.
- Thousands rally in Gaza, West Bank in support of Palestinian jailed in Israel. Haaretz. 2012-02-17. Retrieved on 2012-02-17.
- Father of detained Jihad leader starts hunger strike. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-06. Retrieved on 2012-02-16.
- In photos: Protest in Bethlehem to support Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- ^ Israeli court rejects Adnan appeal, 23 injured at protest. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-13. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- ^ Faction leaders start hunger strike to support Adnan. 2012-02-15. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- Abunimah, Ali. Starving for freedom: The hunger strike of Khader Adnan. Al Jazeera English. 2012-02-14. Retrieved on 2012-02-16.
- Israeli court to hold session for Khader Adnan in hospital. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-08. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
- B'Tselem to Meridor: Immediately release or try administrative detainee on hunger strike. B'tselem. 2012-02-11. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- Falk, Richard. Saving Khader Adnan's life is saving our own soul . Al Jazeera English. 2012-02-18.
- ^ Court delays hearing for hunger-striker Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-09. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- Prisoners minister: Adnan ruling shows negotiations failed. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-13. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
- Palestinian official injured at rally for Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-15. Retrieved on 2012-02-18.
- Wife: Khader Adnan sticking to hunger strike. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-18. Retrieved on 2012-02-18.
- President, minister press for world to save Khader Adnan. Ma'an News Agency. 2012-02-18. Retrieved on 2012-02-18.
- EU, UN decry detention of Palestinian hunger striker. Jerusalem Post. 2012-02-18.
External links
- Khader Adnan’s Life in Grave Danger as He Continues His Struggle Against Israel’s Human Rights Violations
- According to a Medical Opinion Issued by PHR - Israel Doctor: Adnan's Life is in Immediate Danger