- Title: ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/PRISONER Israel frees Palestinian hunger striker from jail
- Date: 12th July 2015
- Summary: JENIN, WEST BANK (JULY 12, 2015) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING IN THE STREET FOR ARRIVAL OF ISLAMIC JIHAD LEADER KHADER ADNAN, FREED FROM AN ISRAELI PRISON AFTER A 56-DAY HUNGER STRIKE MEN WEARING SHIRTS WITH PORTRAIT OF KHADER ADNAN ADNAN ARRIVING IN A VEHICLE, GREETED BY PEOPLE PEOPLE CHANTING AND CARRYING ADNAN ADNAN HUGGING HIS DAUGHTER PEOPLE CHANTING "ALLAH AKBAR" (GOD IS
- Embargoed: 27th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAA8J6AK8UOZFI55HLBNOBDVWNT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israel on Sunday (July 12) released an Islamic Jihad leader, Khader Adnan, from jail following a deal last month in which he agreed to end a 56-day hunger strike, Islamic Jihad sources in the West Bank said.
Adnan's strike had galvanised Palestinians behind a "battle of empty stomachs" against Israeli detentions without trial and both sides had feared the threat of him dying could hurt a shaky Gaza truce or lead to an upsurge in violence.
Khader was greeted by dozens of cheering relatives and supporters upon arrival to his homewtown in the Wset Bank city of Jenin.
"I see the happiness among Palestinians flowing and the Palestinian pain and hope for the freedom of all prisoners, God willing. The occupation made a mistake in arresting me the first time and the second time and all previous arrests. Today the occupation makes the mistake of releasing me because they think they'll abort the Palestinian happiness, if they release me earlier which is not typical. This is a cowardly act of the occupation that fears the Palestinian happiness and love for the Palestinian prisoners," said Adnan.
Adnan, 37, had been hospitalised in critical condition as a result of rejecting food since May 4. Israeli freed him in the early hours on Sunday, the agreed date for his release.
Israel had arrested Adnan last July for the 10th time, detaining him without trial under so-called administrative detention, a method Israel says it employs as a security measure to prevent violence.
Adnan, a father of six, had launched an extended hunger strike in 2012, which also led to his freedom.
His wife, Randa Adnan, said her husband's release was "the biggest victory and one of the greatest victories".
Israel has sought to prevent hunger strikes by introducing legislation to permit prisoners to be force fed, but the measure has met with obstacles such as condemnation by the national doctors' union, which says it contravenes ethical commitments.
Adnan is a known Islamic Jihad figure in the West Bank, territory that Israel captured in a 1967 war, where Palestinians seek an independent state. Like Islamist Hamas, Islamic Jihad opposes peace deals between the Palestinians and Israel and advocates the destruction of Israel. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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