7 may 2017
News is coming about the Israeli preparations to commit the force-feeding crime against hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, who have been on hunger strike for 20 days.
The Israeli media lately announced the Israeli government’s intention to recruit doctors from abroad to force-feed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
On 17 April 2017, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners started a hunger strike to pressurize the Israeli Prison Service in order to offer them proper detention conditions that respect their dignity and humanity.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows up with deep concern the arbitrary and inhuman measures practiced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinian prisoners since the very first day of their hunger strike.
These measures include but not limited to solitary confinement, threats, stress and finally the Israeli perpetrations to force-feed them. PCHR emphasizes that all the Israeli practices fall within the policy of torture as identified by Article 1 of the Convention against Torture.
PCHR stresses that it will work on prosecuting all those involved in force-feeding the prisoners on hunger strike by all available legal means.
PCHR also calls upon doctors syndicates all over the world to advice its associate members not to participate in any force-feeding process and publish a statement in this regard according to their governments’ obligations under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Convention against Torture in addition to the peremptory International norms against torture that force-feeding is a form of which.
“We are committed to prosecute those involved in the force-feeding crime, including doctors. The attempts to deprive prisoners of their last refuge to obtain their basic human rights to humane treatment through denying them their right to strike using their empty stomachs and body cells go too far with the degrading treatment against them. This is also an unjustifiable crime, and the world should not stand silent and not contribute to legalizing this crime through this silence.” Lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR.
It should be noted that the Israeli Knesset approved on 30 July 2015 a law “to Prevent Harm of Hunger Strike”, allowing force-feeding of prisoners.
At that time, the Israeli Medicine Association (IMA) rejected this law and warned of enacting it in addition to advising the associate doctors not to participate in any force-feeding process. Moreover, two United Nations human rights experts today reiterated their call on the Israeli authorities not enact such law, which legalizes force-feeding of prisoners.
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment underlined that “feeding induced by threats, coercion, force or use of physical restraints of individuals, who have opted for the extreme recourse of a hunger strike to protest against their detention, are, even if intended for their benefit, tantamount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.” Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health stressed, “Informed consent is an integral part in the realization of the right to health.”
Despite all of this, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected all the appeals filed by human rights organizations and IMA to annul this law. The Court claimed that the hunger striker does not enjoy the patients’ rights. This position proves the fact that PCHR has always emphasized that the Israeli Supreme Court is Israel’s atrocious means to legalize its crimes.
PCHR highlights that force-feeding is a war crime. Thus, those who order or participate in committing and legalizing it is involved in a war crime and should be held accountable and accordingly punished.
PCHR stresses that the attempts of force-feeding do not aim at maintaining the life of prisoners on hunger strike as claimed by the Israeli authorities, but aim at depriving them of their last means to demand their most basic human rights to proper detention conditions that maintain their dignity and humanity.
This was stipulated by Article (10-1) of ICCPR, “All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”
PCHR denounces the Israeli attempts to show the prisoners’ strike and demands as if they are political. PCHR emphasizes that prisoners’ cause and their humane demands are based on the most basic rights codified by the international humanitarian law, human rights conventions and all relevant intentional standards.
PCHR recalls that Israel has serious precedents in force-feeding. Many Palestinian prisoners were killed in cold blood while being force-fed.
PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the European Union, to put an end to their silence towards the Israeli recurrent violations of international law that encouraged Israel to turn a blind eye to the law and international community.
PCHR underscores that Israel and international community, particularly Member States to the Convention against Torture, should take full responsibility for the risks and suffering of Palestinian prisoners if the Israeli Prison Service force-fed them.
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to convene for identifying the legal status of Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails in light of Palestine’s accession to these conventions.
PCHR also demands them to consider the Palestinian prisoners as prisoners of war who enjoy all rights guaranteed in the Third Geneva Convention, including releasing prisoners of war without delay after the cessation of active hostilities.
The Israeli media lately announced the Israeli government’s intention to recruit doctors from abroad to force-feed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
On 17 April 2017, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners started a hunger strike to pressurize the Israeli Prison Service in order to offer them proper detention conditions that respect their dignity and humanity.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows up with deep concern the arbitrary and inhuman measures practiced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinian prisoners since the very first day of their hunger strike.
These measures include but not limited to solitary confinement, threats, stress and finally the Israeli perpetrations to force-feed them. PCHR emphasizes that all the Israeli practices fall within the policy of torture as identified by Article 1 of the Convention against Torture.
PCHR stresses that it will work on prosecuting all those involved in force-feeding the prisoners on hunger strike by all available legal means.
PCHR also calls upon doctors syndicates all over the world to advice its associate members not to participate in any force-feeding process and publish a statement in this regard according to their governments’ obligations under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Convention against Torture in addition to the peremptory International norms against torture that force-feeding is a form of which.
“We are committed to prosecute those involved in the force-feeding crime, including doctors. The attempts to deprive prisoners of their last refuge to obtain their basic human rights to humane treatment through denying them their right to strike using their empty stomachs and body cells go too far with the degrading treatment against them. This is also an unjustifiable crime, and the world should not stand silent and not contribute to legalizing this crime through this silence.” Lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR.
It should be noted that the Israeli Knesset approved on 30 July 2015 a law “to Prevent Harm of Hunger Strike”, allowing force-feeding of prisoners.
At that time, the Israeli Medicine Association (IMA) rejected this law and warned of enacting it in addition to advising the associate doctors not to participate in any force-feeding process. Moreover, two United Nations human rights experts today reiterated their call on the Israeli authorities not enact such law, which legalizes force-feeding of prisoners.
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment underlined that “feeding induced by threats, coercion, force or use of physical restraints of individuals, who have opted for the extreme recourse of a hunger strike to protest against their detention, are, even if intended for their benefit, tantamount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.” Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health stressed, “Informed consent is an integral part in the realization of the right to health.”
Despite all of this, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected all the appeals filed by human rights organizations and IMA to annul this law. The Court claimed that the hunger striker does not enjoy the patients’ rights. This position proves the fact that PCHR has always emphasized that the Israeli Supreme Court is Israel’s atrocious means to legalize its crimes.
PCHR highlights that force-feeding is a war crime. Thus, those who order or participate in committing and legalizing it is involved in a war crime and should be held accountable and accordingly punished.
PCHR stresses that the attempts of force-feeding do not aim at maintaining the life of prisoners on hunger strike as claimed by the Israeli authorities, but aim at depriving them of their last means to demand their most basic human rights to proper detention conditions that maintain their dignity and humanity.
This was stipulated by Article (10-1) of ICCPR, “All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”
PCHR denounces the Israeli attempts to show the prisoners’ strike and demands as if they are political. PCHR emphasizes that prisoners’ cause and their humane demands are based on the most basic rights codified by the international humanitarian law, human rights conventions and all relevant intentional standards.
PCHR recalls that Israel has serious precedents in force-feeding. Many Palestinian prisoners were killed in cold blood while being force-fed.
PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the European Union, to put an end to their silence towards the Israeli recurrent violations of international law that encouraged Israel to turn a blind eye to the law and international community.
PCHR underscores that Israel and international community, particularly Member States to the Convention against Torture, should take full responsibility for the risks and suffering of Palestinian prisoners if the Israeli Prison Service force-fed them.
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to convene for identifying the legal status of Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails in light of Palestine’s accession to these conventions.
PCHR also demands them to consider the Palestinian prisoners as prisoners of war who enjoy all rights guaranteed in the Third Geneva Convention, including releasing prisoners of war without delay after the cessation of active hostilities.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday at dawn, several communities in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, broke into and violently searched homes, and abducted two young men, before moving them to Etzion military base and security center, south of Bethlehem.
The Bethlehem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said several army jeeps invaded Teqoua’ town, east of the city, and abducted Mohammad Riyad Sabah, 16.
It added that the soldiers also abducted Jihad Mohammad Zawahra, 26, from his home in al-Ma’sara village, east of Bethlehem.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, also searched homes, and summoned two young men, identified as Mohammad Riyad Abu Srour, 29, and Mo’taz Mahmoud ad-Dibs, 19, for interrogation in Etzion.
The soldiers also invaded many communities in various parts of Bethlehem governorate, and installed roadblocks, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated many youngsters while inspecting their ID cards.
The Bethlehem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said several army jeeps invaded Teqoua’ town, east of the city, and abducted Mohammad Riyad Sabah, 16.
It added that the soldiers also abducted Jihad Mohammad Zawahra, 26, from his home in al-Ma’sara village, east of Bethlehem.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, also searched homes, and summoned two young men, identified as Mohammad Riyad Abu Srour, 29, and Mo’taz Mahmoud ad-Dibs, 19, for interrogation in Etzion.
The soldiers also invaded many communities in various parts of Bethlehem governorate, and installed roadblocks, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated many youngsters while inspecting their ID cards.
Israeli soldiers abducted, Sunday, a young Palestinian man in Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and a child from his home in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers abducted Mahmoud Ahmad Rajabi, while walking near the Ibrahimi mosque, and took him to a nearby military center.
In Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Nour Salim Shalabi, after invading and searching his family’s home at dawn, and moved him to an interrogation center.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said the soldiers abducted Mahmoud Ahmad Rajabi, while walking near the Ibrahimi mosque, and took him to a nearby military center.
In Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted a child, identified as Nour Salim Shalabi, after invading and searching his family’s home at dawn, and moved him to an interrogation center.
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church Atallah Hanna announced on Sunday that he will start a hunger strike on Monday in solidarity with the striking prisoners in Israeli jails.
Archbishop Hanna said in a statement that the prisoners' issue is the issue of all Palestinian people, stressing his support for the prisoners' just demands.
Archbishop Hanna added, "We belong to this land and we belong to this people who fights for freedom. We will always remain biased to the just Palestinian cause."
Archbishop Hanna said in a statement that the prisoners' issue is the issue of all Palestinian people, stressing his support for the prisoners' just demands.
Archbishop Hanna added, "We belong to this land and we belong to this people who fights for freedom. We will always remain biased to the just Palestinian cause."
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have entered the 21st day of their open-ended hunger strike as the Israeli security and prison authorities are seeking ways to force-feed them.
In recent press remarks, Israel’s internal security minister Gilad Erdan threatened to bring foreign doctors from another country to force-feed the hunger strikers.
In response, the hunger strike follow-up committee called for launching a week of anger and an international campaign at home and abroad to oppose Israeli intents to force-feed Palestinian hunger strikers.
The committee warned that if any hunger striker was force-fed, all prisons would turn into confrontation zones and would see massive clashes with the jailers.
In recent press remarks, Israel’s internal security minister Gilad Erdan threatened to bring foreign doctors from another country to force-feed the hunger strikers.
In response, the hunger strike follow-up committee called for launching a week of anger and an international campaign at home and abroad to oppose Israeli intents to force-feed Palestinian hunger strikers.
The committee warned that if any hunger striker was force-fed, all prisons would turn into confrontation zones and would see massive clashes with the jailers.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Sunday kidnapped seven Palestinian citizens from their homes in different areas of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
In a military press release, the Israeli army claimed the seven citizens were arrested because of their involvement in attacks against Israelis.
Two of the detainees were from Anata town near Occupied Jerusalem, four others from Bethlehem city and one from Dura town in al-Khalil.
The Israeli army also said that its forces confiscated a Palestinian-owned car used recently in carrying out a Molotov cocktail attack on Majdal Oz settlement in addition to a rifle during a campaign in Bethlehem city.
In a separate incident, several citizens suffered from inhaling tear gas at dawn Sunday during clashes with Israeli soldiers in Tulkarem city, north of the West Bank.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOF broke into and ransacked homes in Dunaba suburb and Tulkarem refugee camp during its campaign in the city.
They added that soldiers clashed with local young men and showered them and nearby homes with volleys of tear gas and stun grenades, causing suffocation among many citizens.
Moreover, the IOF physically assaulted and kidnapped a young man called Ikrima Khatatba from aboard a public bus at Beit Furik checkpoint, east of Nablus, after finding a razor blade in his possession.
The IOF also set up last night a makeshift checkpoint at the main entrance to Asira ash-Shamaliya town, north of Nablus, and embarked on stopping passing vehicles and checking the IDs of passengers.
In a military press release, the Israeli army claimed the seven citizens were arrested because of their involvement in attacks against Israelis.
Two of the detainees were from Anata town near Occupied Jerusalem, four others from Bethlehem city and one from Dura town in al-Khalil.
The Israeli army also said that its forces confiscated a Palestinian-owned car used recently in carrying out a Molotov cocktail attack on Majdal Oz settlement in addition to a rifle during a campaign in Bethlehem city.
In a separate incident, several citizens suffered from inhaling tear gas at dawn Sunday during clashes with Israeli soldiers in Tulkarem city, north of the West Bank.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the IOF broke into and ransacked homes in Dunaba suburb and Tulkarem refugee camp during its campaign in the city.
They added that soldiers clashed with local young men and showered them and nearby homes with volleys of tear gas and stun grenades, causing suffocation among many citizens.
Moreover, the IOF physically assaulted and kidnapped a young man called Ikrima Khatatba from aboard a public bus at Beit Furik checkpoint, east of Nablus, after finding a razor blade in his possession.
The IOF also set up last night a makeshift checkpoint at the main entrance to Asira ash-Shamaliya town, north of Nablus, and embarked on stopping passing vehicles and checking the IDs of passengers.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, one Palestinian in Doura town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and searched many homes in the town, and in Sa’ir, east of the city.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said many army vehicles invaded neighborhoods in Doura, before the soldiers broke into and searched homes, leading to excessive damage.
It added that the soldiers abducted a young man, identified as Amro Tawfiq Abu Ehlayyel, and took him to an unknown destination. Another Palestinian was briefly detained by the soldiers.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Sa’ir town, causing property damage, and interrogated many young Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said many army vehicles invaded neighborhoods in Doura, before the soldiers broke into and searched homes, leading to excessive damage.
It added that the soldiers abducted a young man, identified as Amro Tawfiq Abu Ehlayyel, and took him to an unknown destination. Another Palestinian was briefly detained by the soldiers.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded and searched homes in Sa’ir town, causing property damage, and interrogated many young Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
The head of the Palestinian Detainees’ Committee Issa Qaraqe stated, Saturday, that the committee will file legal charges against any physician or health professional, regardless of their nationality, who participates in force-feeding the hunger striking Palestinian detainees.
Qaraqe stated that force-feeding the detainees is a crime which jeopardizes the detainees’ lives. He added that any doctor who participates in this outrageous crime will not only be violating his oath and medical ethics, but also international laws.
“The Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers, of 1991, clearly defined the methods of dealing with hunger strikers, and states that force-feeding is immoral and unethical, even when it is intended to help,” Qaraqe’ said, “It also outlaws using threats, force and punishment methods against the detainees to force them end their strike.”
The Palestinian official also said that the hunger-striking detainees are facing serious deterioration in their health conditions, and called on the International Community to intervene, and help them achieve their internationally-guaranteed rights and legitimate demands.
He called on countries around the world to refrain from sending doctors to participate in force-feeding the Palestinian detainees, and to uphold their own signed international agreements and treaties, especially those related to human rights, and the rights of prisoners to refuse food and even medication.
The statements of Qaraqe came during an action in solidarity with the detainees, in Yatta and the al-Fawwar refugee camp, in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.
His statements were made in response to statements made by Israeli officials regarding their intention to bring foreign doctors to force-feed the detainees.
Qaraqe stated that force-feeding the detainees is a crime which jeopardizes the detainees’ lives. He added that any doctor who participates in this outrageous crime will not only be violating his oath and medical ethics, but also international laws.
“The Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers, of 1991, clearly defined the methods of dealing with hunger strikers, and states that force-feeding is immoral and unethical, even when it is intended to help,” Qaraqe’ said, “It also outlaws using threats, force and punishment methods against the detainees to force them end their strike.”
The Palestinian official also said that the hunger-striking detainees are facing serious deterioration in their health conditions, and called on the International Community to intervene, and help them achieve their internationally-guaranteed rights and legitimate demands.
He called on countries around the world to refrain from sending doctors to participate in force-feeding the Palestinian detainees, and to uphold their own signed international agreements and treaties, especially those related to human rights, and the rights of prisoners to refuse food and even medication.
The statements of Qaraqe came during an action in solidarity with the detainees, in Yatta and the al-Fawwar refugee camp, in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.
His statements were made in response to statements made by Israeli officials regarding their intention to bring foreign doctors to force-feed the detainees.
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Saturday evening, a nonviolent procession in support of the hunger striking Palestinian detainees, in the al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and abducted a father and his two sons.
Local activist Ahmad Brejiyya stated that the procession started from the center of the village, and headed towards Jouret ash-Sham’a nearby village.
He added that the soldiers assaulted the protesters who were marching there, stopped many cars carrying nonviolent protesters, and forced them back, after preventing them to reaching Joret ash-Sham’a.
The soldiers then abducted Ahmad Zawahra, along with his sons, Mohammad, 21, and Ibrahim, 18, and took them to an unknown destination.
Local activist Ahmad Brejiyya stated that the procession started from the center of the village, and headed towards Jouret ash-Sham’a nearby village.
He added that the soldiers assaulted the protesters who were marching there, stopped many cars carrying nonviolent protesters, and forced them back, after preventing them to reaching Joret ash-Sham’a.
The soldiers then abducted Ahmad Zawahra, along with his sons, Mohammad, 21, and Ibrahim, 18, and took them to an unknown destination.
6 may 2017
The head of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs (CDA), Issa Qaraqe’, and the head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, Qaddoura Fares, called on the World Health Organization to assume an attitude against the policy of Forced-Feeding intended to be applied by the Israeli Prison Service on the detainees who have been on hunger strike since 17 April, 2017.
This comes, according to the PNN, after the circulation of similar news by the Israeli media on beginning preliminary preparations to transfer doctors form foreign countries for implementing force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike.
This also comes following suit with the medical syndicate in Israel, which refuses to apply the procedure because it may cause death.
The Media Committee of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society affirmed, in a statement today, that the international community has forbidden this kind of nutrition, and also asserted that detainees have the right to choose any way of hunger strike as a means of legitimate protest, and no party has the right to intervene in his decision.
The committee considers this a license to kill Palestinian detainees under the pretext of protecting them.
It also pointed out that applying this policy caused the deaths of both Rasem Halaweh and Ali Ja’fary at Nafaha prison, in 1980, while they were conducting a hunger strike.
Moreover, the commission pointed out that the forced-feeding is done with an instrument called “zunda”, which is placed either by nose or mouth; this is repeated after the detainee is handcuffed. It is often accompanied by bleeding due to inserting the instrument repeatedly.
Israeli authorities used this type of nutrition with Palestinian detainees who conducted hunger strikes from 1970-1980. They stopped using it by decision of the Supreme Court, after the death of the two detainees. However, the Israeli Knesset has again approved this law in 2015.
It is worth mentioning that 1,500 Palestinian detainees continue the battle of freedom and dignity, which was launched on April 17, 2017 to achieve their basic rights, from which they are deprived and which they have achieved previously through hunger strikes.
Their demands are represented in ending the policy of administrative detention (indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial), ending solitary confinement and the prevention of lawyers and family visits and other basic demands.
This comes, according to the PNN, after the circulation of similar news by the Israeli media on beginning preliminary preparations to transfer doctors form foreign countries for implementing force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike.
This also comes following suit with the medical syndicate in Israel, which refuses to apply the procedure because it may cause death.
The Media Committee of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society affirmed, in a statement today, that the international community has forbidden this kind of nutrition, and also asserted that detainees have the right to choose any way of hunger strike as a means of legitimate protest, and no party has the right to intervene in his decision.
The committee considers this a license to kill Palestinian detainees under the pretext of protecting them.
It also pointed out that applying this policy caused the deaths of both Rasem Halaweh and Ali Ja’fary at Nafaha prison, in 1980, while they were conducting a hunger strike.
Moreover, the commission pointed out that the forced-feeding is done with an instrument called “zunda”, which is placed either by nose or mouth; this is repeated after the detainee is handcuffed. It is often accompanied by bleeding due to inserting the instrument repeatedly.
Israeli authorities used this type of nutrition with Palestinian detainees who conducted hunger strikes from 1970-1980. They stopped using it by decision of the Supreme Court, after the death of the two detainees. However, the Israeli Knesset has again approved this law in 2015.
It is worth mentioning that 1,500 Palestinian detainees continue the battle of freedom and dignity, which was launched on April 17, 2017 to achieve their basic rights, from which they are deprived and which they have achieved previously through hunger strikes.
Their demands are represented in ending the policy of administrative detention (indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial), ending solitary confinement and the prevention of lawyers and family visits and other basic demands.
Violent clashes broke on Friday night after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed Haris town, northwest of Salfit province.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers set up a makeshift checkpoint at the main entrance to the town, spread across its streets, stopped citizens and interrogated them.
They added that the soldiers showered local young men with tear gas, provoking them to respond by throwing stones at them.
In a separate incident, Israeli soldiers kidnapped at night a Palestinian citizen, from Qabatiya town in Jenin, at a makeshift checkpoint on road leading to Ramallah city.
The detainee was identified as 20-year-old Adham Qarqish and was kidnapped after intercepting a public car he was aboard, according to eyewitnesses.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers set up a makeshift checkpoint at the main entrance to the town, spread across its streets, stopped citizens and interrogated them.
They added that the soldiers showered local young men with tear gas, provoking them to respond by throwing stones at them.
In a separate incident, Israeli soldiers kidnapped at night a Palestinian citizen, from Qabatiya town in Jenin, at a makeshift checkpoint on road leading to Ramallah city.
The detainee was identified as 20-year-old Adham Qarqish and was kidnapped after intercepting a public car he was aboard, according to eyewitnesses.
The Islamic Jihad Movement’s leading committee of prisoners said that hundreds of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails would join the hunger strike battle in the next few days.
In a press release on Friday, the committee stressed the need to back up the hunger strike as it reached a very critical stage without any response to the just demands of prisoners.
The committee urged the national factions, human rights groups and the world’s conscientious people to make concerted efforts to support the prisoners in their struggle for better prison conditions.
Since April 17, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners staged an open-ended hunger strike to demand basic rights.
Their primary demands include more frequent and lengthy family visits, better incarceration conditions such as improved medical care, access to telephones and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention without charge or trial.
In a press release on Friday, the committee stressed the need to back up the hunger strike as it reached a very critical stage without any response to the just demands of prisoners.
The committee urged the national factions, human rights groups and the world’s conscientious people to make concerted efforts to support the prisoners in their struggle for better prison conditions.
Since April 17, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners staged an open-ended hunger strike to demand basic rights.
Their primary demands include more frequent and lengthy family visits, better incarceration conditions such as improved medical care, access to telephones and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention without charge or trial.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Friday evening, a former Palestinian political prisoner, from Salfit governorate, in northeastern West Bank, after stopping him at a military roadblock, east of Qalqilia, in northern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers abducted Essam Mansour, from Deir Istiya town, east of Salfit, and took him to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also stopped and searched dozens of cars and interrogated many Palestinians, while inspecting their ID cards.
On Friday at dawn, the soldiers abducted two Palestinians, including a teenager, from their homes in Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers abducted Essam Mansour, from Deir Istiya town, east of Salfit, and took him to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also stopped and searched dozens of cars and interrogated many Palestinians, while inspecting their ID cards.
On Friday at dawn, the soldiers abducted two Palestinians, including a teenager, from their homes in Teqoua’ town, east of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
5 may 2017
A number of Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Friday in abduction sweeps launched across the West Bank.
The Israeli occupation army claimed responsibility for the abduction of five Palestinians from the West Bank. The detainees were dragged to an Israeli detention center pending intensive questioning.
Three Palestinians—Sameh Abu Kushk, Aboud al-Asmar, and Khalil Hamzawi—were kidnapped by the IOF from Askar camp, in Nablus.
17-year-old Palestinian minor Mustafa Jamal al-Badn and Ziad Taleb Khalaf, 21, were further kidnapped by the Israeli soldiers from their homes in Bethlehem’s eastern town of Tekou’.
Meanwhile, the IOF stormed Qalqilya’s eastern neighborhood and raked through residential neighborhoods.
Clashes flared up in Azzoun town, where the occupation forces attacked Palestinian anti-occupation youth with randomly-unleashed spates of teargas canisters and sound bombs. Several Palestinian protesters sustained breathing disorders in the clashes.
The Israeli occupation army claimed responsibility for the abduction of five Palestinians from the West Bank. The detainees were dragged to an Israeli detention center pending intensive questioning.
Three Palestinians—Sameh Abu Kushk, Aboud al-Asmar, and Khalil Hamzawi—were kidnapped by the IOF from Askar camp, in Nablus.
17-year-old Palestinian minor Mustafa Jamal al-Badn and Ziad Taleb Khalaf, 21, were further kidnapped by the Israeli soldiers from their homes in Bethlehem’s eastern town of Tekou’.
Meanwhile, the IOF stormed Qalqilya’s eastern neighborhood and raked through residential neighborhoods.
Clashes flared up in Azzoun town, where the occupation forces attacked Palestinian anti-occupation youth with randomly-unleashed spates of teargas canisters and sound bombs. Several Palestinian protesters sustained breathing disorders in the clashes.
As a mass hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners enters its third week, Israeli authorities told reporters that they are considering bringing in foreign doctors to force-feed the prisoners.
The decision, which has not been finalized, comes after last year’s Israeli High Court ruling that force-feeding fits within Israeli law. But even though the Israeli High Court said that it’s allowed, the Israeli Medical Association has banned its doctors from participating in the practice.
Force-feeding is considered torture under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has condemned the practice, and the World Medical Association has called for disciplinary proceedings against any doctor or medical professional who participates in force-feeding.
The doctors would be brought in from an unspecified country, and would be held in a medical facility of the Israeli Prison Service.
The Israeli government plan to import doctors would break with world medical standards, but the government prefers to carry out the widely-condemned practice of force-feeding instead of considering the demands of the hunger striking prisoners.
These demands include visits with family members, access to proper medical care, and an end to the practice of holding prisoners indefinitely without charges.
Most of the prisoners’ demands are demands that Israel comply with international law and conventions on the treatment of prisoners. The Israeli authorities are, according to the prisoners, willfully ignoring the provisions and requirements of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Fourth Geneva Convention statute on the treatment of prisoners.
The World Medical Association issued the Declaration of Tokyo in 1975, which states, in part, “Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgement concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”
The government has not yet announced when the doctors will be imported to force-feed the prisoners.
Arab member of Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, slammed the Israeli government for considering such a move, especially since this comes to avoid dealing with the Israeli Medical Association that rejected being part of force-feeding the detainees.
“Even suggesting bringing foreign doctors to perform this crime is horrific and shameful,” Dr. Tibi stated, “Israel needs to adhere to the legitimate demands of the detainees instead of escalating its violations against them, and their families.”
Israel is also anticipating strong opposition, by local medical and human rights groups and activists, in addition to international condemnation.
Dr. Nitham Najeeb of the Palestinian Medical Association strongly denounced Tel Aviv for even considering such a move, and considered it an official decision to execute the detainees.
He added that hunger strike is a legitimate, internationally-recognized right, and that the detainees have the right to resist the ongoing crimes and violations with their own empty bowels.
The Medical Association said that force-feeding the detainees violates every basic human principle, and the Malta Declaration of 2006 [PDF] “defines hunger strike as “often a form of protest by people who lack other ways of making their demands known.”
|Force-feeding of Palestinian hunger strikers is a violation of international law and International Humanitarian Law, as argued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by a 2015 joint statement published by the United Nations, and by The Third Geneva Conventions Common Article 3 that is specialized in the treatment of prisoners of war.
The World Medical Association’s declarations on hunger strikers, including the Malta Declaration forbids applying pressure to end a hunger strike and forced medical treatment.” (4) It also cited the Tokyo Declaration, which it said, “forbids physicians’ participation in torture, including the forced feeding or treatment of hunger strikers.” Ad-Dameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Association.|
The decision, which has not been finalized, comes after last year’s Israeli High Court ruling that force-feeding fits within Israeli law. But even though the Israeli High Court said that it’s allowed, the Israeli Medical Association has banned its doctors from participating in the practice.
Force-feeding is considered torture under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has condemned the practice, and the World Medical Association has called for disciplinary proceedings against any doctor or medical professional who participates in force-feeding.
The doctors would be brought in from an unspecified country, and would be held in a medical facility of the Israeli Prison Service.
The Israeli government plan to import doctors would break with world medical standards, but the government prefers to carry out the widely-condemned practice of force-feeding instead of considering the demands of the hunger striking prisoners.
These demands include visits with family members, access to proper medical care, and an end to the practice of holding prisoners indefinitely without charges.
Most of the prisoners’ demands are demands that Israel comply with international law and conventions on the treatment of prisoners. The Israeli authorities are, according to the prisoners, willfully ignoring the provisions and requirements of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Fourth Geneva Convention statute on the treatment of prisoners.
The World Medical Association issued the Declaration of Tokyo in 1975, which states, in part, “Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgement concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”
The government has not yet announced when the doctors will be imported to force-feed the prisoners.
Arab member of Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, slammed the Israeli government for considering such a move, especially since this comes to avoid dealing with the Israeli Medical Association that rejected being part of force-feeding the detainees.
“Even suggesting bringing foreign doctors to perform this crime is horrific and shameful,” Dr. Tibi stated, “Israel needs to adhere to the legitimate demands of the detainees instead of escalating its violations against them, and their families.”
Israel is also anticipating strong opposition, by local medical and human rights groups and activists, in addition to international condemnation.
Dr. Nitham Najeeb of the Palestinian Medical Association strongly denounced Tel Aviv for even considering such a move, and considered it an official decision to execute the detainees.
He added that hunger strike is a legitimate, internationally-recognized right, and that the detainees have the right to resist the ongoing crimes and violations with their own empty bowels.
The Medical Association said that force-feeding the detainees violates every basic human principle, and the Malta Declaration of 2006 [PDF] “defines hunger strike as “often a form of protest by people who lack other ways of making their demands known.”
|Force-feeding of Palestinian hunger strikers is a violation of international law and International Humanitarian Law, as argued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by a 2015 joint statement published by the United Nations, and by The Third Geneva Conventions Common Article 3 that is specialized in the treatment of prisoners of war.
The World Medical Association’s declarations on hunger strikers, including the Malta Declaration forbids applying pressure to end a hunger strike and forced medical treatment.” (4) It also cited the Tokyo Declaration, which it said, “forbids physicians’ participation in torture, including the forced feeding or treatment of hunger strikers.” Ad-Dameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Association.|
