Israel suspends detention of Palestinian hunger striker

[webfact]

Israel suspends detention of Palestinian hunger striker
By MIRIAM BERGER

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended the detention order against a Palestinian prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for 65 days, releasing him while he receives medical care in a ruling that his relatives and supporters hailed as a victory.

The decision means that Mohammed Allan will no longer be shackled to his bed and his family will be able to visit him in the hospital, where his lawyer said he remains sedated and unconscious.

The court's action did little to resolve a debate over Israel's practice of holding suspects without charge, known as administrative detention, or a new law that permits the force-feeding of hunger strikers.

Before he fell unconscious Aug. 14, Allan had appeared set to be the first test of the law. Since then, he has been given fluids and nutritional supplements while the case went to court, although those treatments were not considered to be force-feeding.

After a long day of deliberations, the Supreme Court announced that Allan, who doctors say has suffered some brain damage, would remain hospitalized but that his administrative detention was suspended.

But the decision did not address what would happen to Allan if he recovers, saying only he can petition for his release if his condition improves.

"I feel very happy," said his brother, Amid Allan. "I hope that my brother will stand up, will stand up from his bed healthy, as happy as he used to be when they took him from his house."

Israel says Allan is in custody for his affiliation with Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group that has carried out scores of attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. He denies the affiliation.

Allan's case became a litmus test for a law that was narrowly passed in July that permits a judge to sanction force-feeding of a fasting prisoner if the inmate's life is in danger.

Critics of force-feeding see it as an unethical violation of patient autonomy and akin to torture. The U.S. has admitted to force-feeding detainees at its Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Britain force-fed some Irish Republican Army prisoners on hunger strikes.

The Israeli Medical Association, which has urged physicians not to cooperate, is challenging it in the Supreme Court.

Allan began his hunger strike to protest Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial.

Israel defends the practice as a necessary tool to stop militant attacks and argues that revealing the charges would expose intelligence networks and put lives in danger. Rights groups say the measure violates due process, is meant only for extraordinary cases, and is overused.

The high-profile case took a dramatic turn earlier Wednesday after the court ordered medical tests to determine the level of Allan's brain damage and said he would be freed if it was irreversible. Doctors said results of an MRI were inconclusive.

Dr. Hezy Levy of Barzilai hospital in southern Israel, where Allan is being treated, said the detainee was "incoherent" and "not connecting with his surroundings."

"There is some damage in a part of the brain that was probably caused by a lack of vitamins ... and it is expressed in other systems of his body," Levy told a TV station.

He said Allan would be administered the substances his body is missing.

"I hope that it is reversible. I cannot predict right now to what extent it is reversible," he said.

Allan's attorney, Sawsan Zaher, said it would be days before the extent of the brain damage is known.

Zaher, a lawyer with the advocacy group Adallah, welcomed the release but said it should have come two days earlier before Allan suffered brain damage.

She said the decision showed that administrative detention is an "arbitrary and punitive tool" against Palestinians. She said he should be released even if the damage is reversible because it is still deep enough to prevent him from posing a threat.

Israel holds 340 Palestinians in administrative detention. Last month, it took the rare step of placing three young Israeli ultranationalists in administrative detention as part of a crackdown on Jewish extremism.

But Israel's public security minister, Gilad Erdan, said Wednesday that releasing Allan would encourage more Palestinian detainees to go on hunger strikes.

Qaddura Fares, a former lawmaker who heads the Palestinian prisoners' association, said that about 20 prisoners had launched symbolic hunger strikes in solidarity with Allan in recent days. But he said none was believed to be continuing the protests.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-08-20

[Seastallion]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

[konying]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

[Seastallion]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

[ezzra]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

In 1981, 10 IRA terrorist died in British jail following a hunger strike that than the PM, Margaret thatcher

refuses to bow to international pressure, since than no jailed IRA have tried it again..

so according to you, the UK is also an oppressive regime? or you're just being a

uninformed hypocrite?

Edited August 20, 2015 by ezzra

[konying]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

It makes Israel no more no less oppressive than any other country in the world , including biggest democracies . However do not let facts and truth get in the way of your obsession with Israel.

And should this terrorist die or become mentally ill, no big loss , just 1 less terrorist

[DaddyWarbucks]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

It's a recognizable propaganda ploy called "diversion."

[geriatrickid]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

You exaggerate. There are currently 3 people subject to an ADO who have been held for 2 years or more.

In Israel, the Minister of Defense has to sign off on an ADO, that has a maximum of 6 months. Typically the ADO is 48 hours. In parts of the Israeli administered west bank, the military commander can request a 6 month ADO. The people subject to an ADO can appeal to the Courts.

There are anywhere between 150 and 300 ADOs in effect at any given time depending upon the violence.

Who are some of the detainees being held for 2 + years?

Akram Mohammed Fasisi: A self admitted Islamic Jihad activist, he was arrested for the 3rd time on 16-Nov-2012. First arrested in Feb 2011 he was incarcerated for 18 months for acts of violence, He was arrested again August 2012 for violent related activity, but released shortly thereafter. Islamic Jihad is a known terror group pledged to the destruction of Israel.

Imad Batran: Previously convicted terrorist was arrested 18-Nov-2011. His prison dates started in 1994 when he was sentenced to 18 months. Since that time he has been arrested and detained multiple times. One brother is currently serving a life sentence for murder. Another brother is also detained as an alleged terrorist.

Ahmad Rimawi: Son of alleged terrorist Ishraq Rimawi (senior) who received a sentence of 19 years for terror activities. 18 year old Ahmad was stopped 17-Nov-2012 at an Israeli checkpoint on suspicion of terror activity. He has been held ever since in a quasi protective state. The detention can be argued to be in his best interests as it has kept him alive. It is alleged that he was intent on avenging his father's incarceration.

I can go on and on and on. You see these violent thugs as nice boys. I see them for what they are: Violent Islamic terrorists.

[Scott]

For those who wish to go off-topic, they will receive a suspension along with the warning.

The typical off-topic, inflammatory crap is not going to be tolerated. At all.

This person was on a hunger strike and has been released.

[dexterm]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

It makes Israel no more no less oppressive than any other country in the world , including biggest democracies . However do not let facts and truth get in the way of your obsession with Israel.

And should this terrorist die or become mentally ill, no big loss , just 1 less terrorist

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

[konying]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

Edited August 20, 2015 by konying

[DaddyWarbucks]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

Come again...?

[Lissos]

It's a recognizable propaganda ploy called "diversion."

And if you're honest 'everybody' here employs it when put on the spot.

[dexterm]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

That's the whole problem and danger when you presume guilty until proven innocent. We don't know what Mohammed Allen's evidence is because Israel will not allow it to be presented in court.

Whatever his evidence is, he felt strongly enough to express his frustration with the system that silences him by going on hunger strike, his only means of protest left, and damned near killing himself. Sounds pretty convincing to me.

Edited August 20, 2015 by dexterm

[ggold]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

The off topic ploy when relevance is obviously there!

Though you are right Iran doesn't bother with administrative detention, they obviously don't see the need to imprison people when they can just go and hang them!

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/03/new-moderate-iran-executes-two-gay-men-and-hands-down-death-sentence-for-insulting-the-prophet

The head of Iran’s judiciary department in the northern city of Rasht announced on Sunday that two homosexual men had been executed for “perversion,” which is considered a severe crime under Iran’s hardline Islamic law.

The executions come less than two months after Iranian authorities publicly hanged 40 individuals in a two-week period. Iran is executing at least two people a day, according to activists.

[konying]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

That's the whole problem and danger when you presume guilty until proven innocent. We don't know what Mohammed Allen's evidence is because Israel will not allow it to be presented in court.

Whatever his evidence is, he felt strongly enough to express his frustration with the system that silences him by going on hunger strike, his only means of protest left, and damned near killing himself. Sounds pretty convincing to me.

Out of million there, one would really have to do something wrong to be single out.

And him going on a hunger strike is nothing new, hundreds of convicted terrorist try this trick every year, not all though go that long.

I am sure Osama, also felt victimized, is it also convincing to you?

[konying]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

Come again...?

Need google translate? or common sense dictionary?

[DaddyWarbucks]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

Come again...?

Need google translate? or common sense dictionary?

Neither; just plain English, not this Orwellian newspeak.

[konying]

Neither; just plain English, not this Orwellian newspeak.

So what word or words do you struggle with?

[ABCer]

So many people, groups, organisations, countries make it their sole business to condemn Israel for whatever it does. Starting with UN.

It is really disgusting.

Many regimes of many different countries in XX Century have caused millions of deaths of convicts or prisoners of war by not providing enough nutrition.

Photographs of skeletal looking emaciated bodies of victims of GULAG or in German or Japanese concentration camps are flooding the internet.

Bloody Israel is 'torturing' its detainees by force feeding them!

And the mental torture is - they make Arab prisoners watch Israeli news in Hebrew!

IMHO if a prisoner wants to die - nobody should stop him.

Why so many people believe that Jews are smart? Why half of Israelis believe in a solution of a 'Peace Process'? Why 'smart' Jews give land for a promise of peace?

Instead of letting him die - first they force feed him, than release him. Clever Jews!

Edited August 22, 2015 by ABCer

[Jingthing]

Well, I'm happy to hear he didn't starve himself to death.

It seems the hunger strike tactic has some power. The Israelis are darned if they do and darned if they don't, as far as forced feeding people starving themselves. There will surely be more cases and unlikely all will end as "happily" as this one.

Personally, I don't agree that force feeding someone starving themselves to death is torture.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[slerickson]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

It makes Israel no more no less oppressive than any other country in the world , including biggest democracies . However do not let facts and truth get in the way of your obsession with Israel.

And should this terrorist die or become mentally ill, no big loss , just 1 less terrorist

Funny how people defending themselves can be so easily labeled as terrorists. You don't think the Israelis are terrorists?

[Jingthing]

Well, this case concerns a specific Arab man who is accused by the Israeli government of being affiliated with a Jihadist terror organization. He denies it.

I think it's better if specific charges can be made and convictions attempted rather than detention with no specific charges as happened in this case.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[Steely Dan]

Well, this case concerns a specific Arab man who is accused by the Israeli government of being affiliated with a Jihadist terror organization. He denies it.

I think it's better if specific charges can be made and convictions attempted rather than detention with no specific charges as happened in this case.

Without knowing details about this particular case I would observe that the would be French train Jihaddist and Mohammad Merah who murdered four innocents at a Jewish nursery school were known to the authorities for their ideological stance. Internment/detention call it what you like are a necessary precaution in such cases, the only other solution is to keep those you suspect are disposed to violence under constant observation. I guess the Israelis will try to do this but releasing him will only encourage others to copy his actions.

[dexterm]

Well, this case concerns a specific Arab man who is accused by the Israeli government of being affiliated with a Jihadist terror organization. He denies it.

I think it's better if specific charges can be made and convictions attempted rather than detention with no specific charges as happened in this case.

Without knowing details about this particular case I would observe that the would be French train Jihaddist and Mohammad Merah who murdered four innocents at a Jewish nursery school were known to the authorities for their ideological stance. Internment/detention call it what you like are a necessary precaution in such cases, the only other solution is to keep those you suspect are disposed to violence under constant observation. I guess the Israelis will try to do this but releasing him will only encourage others to copy his actions.

OP quote...

Israel holds 340 Palestinians in administrative detention. Last month, it took the rare step of placing three young Israeli ultranationalists in administrative detention as part of a crackdown on Jewish extremism.

Following your logic, perhaps Israel should place in administrative detention more Jewish terrorist fanatics "known to the authorities for their ideological stance as a necessary precaution in such cases."

Or is that Jews with extremist views are innocent until proven guilty, whereas Palestinians are guilty until proven innocent?

[ggold]

Well, this case concerns a specific Arab man who is accused by the Israeli government of being affiliated with a Jihadist terror organization. He denies it.

I think it's better if specific charges can be made and convictions attempted rather than detention with no specific charges as happened in this case.

Without knowing details about this particular case I would observe that the would be French train Jihaddist and Mohammad Merah who murdered four innocents at a Jewish nursery school were known to the authorities for their ideological stance. Internment/detention call it what you like are a necessary precaution in such cases, the only other solution is to keep those you suspect are disposed to violence under constant observation. I guess the Israelis will try to do this but releasing him will only encourage others to copy his actions.

OP quote...

Israel holds 340 Palestinians in administrative detention. Last month, it took the rare step of placing three young Israeli ultranationalists in administrative detention as part of a crackdown on Jewish extremism.

Following your logic, perhaps Israel should place in administrative detention more Jewish terrorist fanatics "known to the authorities for their ideological stance as a necessary precaution in such cases."

Or is that Jews with extremist views are innocent until proven guilty, whereas Palestinians are guilty until proven innocent?

Actually Israeli extremism is a counter balance to Arab extremism. Why should the Arabs have it all their own way! let them know what Israeli extremism feels like.

As the Bible says and eye for an eye.

[Linky]

" Israel's policy of administrative detention, which allows authorities to hold suspects for months without charge or trial."

A magnanimous description, and inaccurate.AD allows Israel to lock people up for YEARS without charge or trial.

An oppressive regime indeed.

As oppose to US? or Iran?

We all know of US's guilt at Gitmo....but to mention it is going off-topic. I'd ask for evidence of Iran's AD...but that too is off-topic and besides....none of that makes Israel any less an oppressive regime.

It makes Israel no more no less oppressive than any other country in the world , including biggest democracies . However do not let facts and truth get in the way of your obsession with Israel.

And should this terrorist die or become mentally ill, no big loss , just 1 less terrorist

So you think it is no big loss if a person who is not convicted of anything dies. Well done

[Linky]

2 wrongs don't make a right, or (in your attempt at deflection) three wrongs don't make a right.

ANY country that holds prisoners indefinitely without trial is a repressive regime.

If you have evidence, then prove it in court.Habeas corpus is the foundation of democracy

The OP a case in point, Mohammed Allen denies being affiliated (whatever that means) with Islamic Jihad, but has no chance of proving otherwise.

You call him a terrorist, because the secret IDF judge and jury labelled him as such. So you parrot the same line unthinkingly without giving the man a chance to defend himself.

Feel free to show evidence he is not one but a peace loving activist .

If you can not, then perhaps IDF knows little more than you.

He is arrested not his neighbour or his brother

That's the whole problem and danger when you presume guilty until proven innocent. We don't know what Mohammed Allen's evidence is because Israel will not allow it to be presented in court.

Whatever his evidence is, he felt strongly enough to express his frustration with the system that silences him by going on hunger strike, his only means of protest left, and damned near killing himself. Sounds pretty convincing to me.

Out of million there, one would really have to do something wrong to be single out.

And him going on a hunger strike is nothing new, hundreds of convicted terrorist try this trick every year, not all though go that long.

I am sure Osama, also felt victimized, is it also convincing to you?

He is not a convicted terrorist so your post has no merit.

[dexterm]

Sorry, thread full.

ggold wrote,

Actually Israeli extremism is a counter balance to Arab extremism. Why should the Arabs have it all their own way! let them know what Israeli extremism feels like.

As the Bible says and eye for an eye.

Actually, it isn't.

Fanatical Jewish terrorist price tag violence is usually a reaction to something its own Israeli government has done such as demolish houses in one its illegal colonies. Then they attack Palestinians as scapegoats.

"An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind." (Mahatma Gandhi)

Edited August 23, 2015 by dexterm

[Steely Dan]

Here is quite a good summary of the sort of thing that happens when suspected terrorists are not detained.

http://app.debka.com/p/article/24830/Train-gunman-French-intelligence-fails-again-to-distinguish-between-informer-and-Islamist-terrorist

I wonder whether our esteemed members would have the same attitude if such attacks were targeting themselves and their families on a daily basis?

In other news Israel bans ten right wing activists from travel to the West Bank, if the boot were on the other foot and the movement of Palestinians were restricted there would be ten pages of whining here.