’Israeli’ Haaretz: Netanyahu Pushes to Force-Feed Palestinian Hunger-Strikers

Local Editor

Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to negotiate with hunger-striking Palestinian detainees is based on the Shin Bet security service's recommendation, according to "Israeli" Haaretz recently.

The "Israeli" Haaretz said it has recently learned that Netanyahu instructed the security cabinet on Sunday to speed up discussions on the bill that will allow the force-feeding detainees on hunger strike.

In several discussions on the matter recently, Shin Bet security service head Yoram Cohen has voiced support for the force-feeding bill, saying it would be a suitable solution to the hunger strike and that "Israel" must not negotiate with the strikers.

Cohen's stance encouraged Netanyahu to support the bill, which has already been approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and is expected to come up for its first reading in the Knesset in the coming weeks.

Netanyahu has opposed any compromise with the strikers, who are seeking an end to the practice of administration detention. He has also worked to fast-track legislation that would allow the striking detainees to be force-fed.

Netanyahu has also said that he would make sure to find physicians who would consent to act according to the new law and force-feed prisoners.
He noted that guards customarily force-feed prisoners even in the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba.

The "Israel" National Bioethics Council, which was established by order of the government to serve as the supreme authority in issuing recommendations to decision-makers in ethical matters, is firmly opposed to the law.

Moreover, attorneys representing the detainees say the message they have gotten from both the Shin Bet and the "Israel" Prison Service is that the organizations have no intention of negotiating with the strikers.

The Shin Bet opposes abolishing administrative detention in any case, as it deems the practice vital to the "war on terror."

People who have participated in meetings on the issue with Cohen say he now seems to believe the agreement he negotiated to end the last major hunger strike by Palestinian detainees that erupted in April 2012 was a mistake.

Meanwhile, the "Israeli" Army Forces has warned that if any of the strikers dies, it would likely spark protesting in the occupied West Bank and perhaps cause a reaction from the seized Gaza Strip.

The legal adviser to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, Juad Bulus, said that, "The growing impression is that the government is prepared to absorb the death of some inmates in prison to see what the result in the Palestinian street will be."

"It's sad that this is the approach of a government that refuses to deal with the prisoners and enter into negotiations with them. The prisoners are making a totally just demand - to either free them or try them - and I hope the authorities will wake up and begin talks that will bring an end to the strike," he further said.

There are currently 189 Palestinians in administrative detention, meaning detention without trial. Between 100 and 125 have joined the hunger strike that began on April 24.
Palestinian detainees at several prisons have also joined the strike for limited periods as a sign of solidarity with the other detainees.

Many of the families are extremely worried about the deterioration in the detainees' medical condition. Some have already lost a quarter of their body weight and are suffering various physical ailments, like coughing up blood and internal bleeding.

Sources: News Agencies, Edited by website team