By Stephen
Lendman
On February 15, Palestinian faction leaders began
supportive hunger strikes. Gazans erected a sit-in
tent near ICRC's Gaza City offices.
Islamic Jihad leaders Sheikh Nafth Azzam, Ahmad Al-Mudallal,
Dawood Shihab and Khader Habit joined with others and
civil society organization members.
Al-Mudallal said striking "support(s) the battle of
dignity of Sheikh Khader Adnan. This is the least we
can do (for) this legendary symbol."
Palestinian Authority civil affairs minister Hussein
al-Sheikh said PA officials were trying to free him
and hold Israel responsible for his well-being.
Palestinian prisoner affairs minister Issa Qaraqa
called for demonstrations, protest marches, and
solidarity fasts throughout the Territories.
Hundreds of Palestinians began supportive hunger
strikes. Many rallied in Gaza and West Bank towns.
Ofer Prison detainees joined them. Israeli security
forces attacked protesters with tear gas and rubber
bullets. Palestinian National Initiative head Mustafa
Barghouti was wounded in his foot.
Adnan's a political prisoner, detained since
mid-December but not charged. On his 60th day without
food, a mass call for action urged support to help
free him. He symbolizes Israeli brutality, injustice
and lawlessness. He inspired others saying:
"For every gram you lose from your weight, we gain a
thousand grams in our dignity."
Many support him globally and responded. He hasn't yet
slipped into coma, but remains perilously close to
death.
A February 14 Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I)
press release said Adnan's High Court appeal will be
heard. His lawyer filed an urgent petition. A hearing
will be set shortly.
PHR-I examined him five times in the past week, most
recently on February 14. After 52 days without food,
he lost one-third of his weight. As a result, he has
stomach aches, vomits, at times with blood, and
experiences headaches.
He's still lucid and understands what's happening.
"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, his blood pressure 100/75. He's
connected to a heart monitor. He underwent tests and
treatment. It includes liquids, salts, glucose, and
vitamins. However, he won't ingest food.
His condition "is commensurate with the impact of 60
days of fasting." He's in immediate danger of death.
No food over 50 days causes muscle decomposition,
including heart and stomach muscles. As a result,
toxin build-ups follow. "Death may occur suddenly"
from heart failure or infection following immune
system collapse.
Digestive track bleeding as well as renal and hepatic
failure may follow. "A deterioration in his state of
consciousness can be expected due to the shortage of
vitamins and intracerebral hemorrhage."
Fasts exceeding 70 days prevent survival. "Infusion of
liquids, adjustment of salts, and the addition of
glucose and vitamin(s) cannot prevent certain death
due" to protracted periods without food.
On February 15, Richard Falk, Special Rapporteur for
Occupied Palestinian human rights released a
supportive statement, saying:
"I call on the international community, especially
States with close relations with Israel, to urge the
Israeli Government to fulfill its responsibilities
under international law, most urgently with regard to
Mr. Adnan."
"In view of the emergency of his situation, the
Government of Israel must take immediate and effective
action to safeguard Mr. Adnan's life, while upholding
his rights."
On February 20, following his regional visit, he'll
hold a press conference. In June, he'll submit his
report to the UN Human Rights Council.
For now, saving Adnan's top priority. Perhaps Israel
will yield to world pressure. It's unlikely but
possible. Rogue states don't apologize or do the right
thing.
Israeli state terror matches the world's worst. With
Washington and Britain, they're axis of evil partners.
Torturing Adnan to death shows it. His martyrdom won't
go unnoticed.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be
reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit
his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on
the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive
Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and
Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are
archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/
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