71 days hunger strike: detained Palestinian protester admitted in Israeli hospital

Halahla and Diab

A Palestinian, Thaer Halahla, who has been on hunger strike for the past 71 days in protest at his detention by the Israeli authorities is in a critical condition and has been transferred to a hospital. The Israeli Prison Service said Thaer Halahla was moved from prison early on Tuesday after refusing to drink water. Israel's Supreme Court on Monday turned down a request by Mr Halahla and fellow hunger striker Bilal Diab to be freed. The International Committee of the Red Cross is extremely concerned about their health, and that of four others. ICRC delegates believe the six detainees who have been on hunger strike for between 47 and 71 days are in imminent danger of dying. The ICRC expressed regret that the authorities had suspended family visits for the six men, as well as for the more than 1,600 detainees who have been on hunger strike in solidarity with them since 17 April. The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah also said they were concerned about the hunger strikers and urged the Israeli government "make available all necessary medical assistance and to allow family visits". Mr Halahla and Mr Diab are among 308 Palestinians in "administrative detention", a controversial practice whereby people can be held without charge or trial when they are suspected of security offences. At an Israeli Supreme Court hearing last week Mr Halahla described administrative detention as a "slow death", adding that he wants to live his life with dignity. He further claimed that he has a wife, and a daughter he never met and that he is on hunger strike because there is no other way." Mr Diab collapsed during the hearing and has been admitted to hospital. Judge Elyakim Rubinstein rejected their appeal on Monday, but expressed concern about their deteriorating condition and referred the military authorities to a legal clause which would allow them to be released on parole on medical grounds. Israel says that many of 4,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails are suspected of being members of militant groups. culled from BBC