Take Action: Israel’s Practice of Administrative Detention Takes Another Palestinian Life

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After an 86-day hunger strike in administrative detention, Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan died in an Israeli prison cell this morning. Israeli officials refused to grant Adnan his freedom despite being informed by a Physicians for Human Rights Israel medic that he was facing “imminent death.”

As Palestinians mourn the assassination of a pillar in Palestinian resistance, we call on the U.S. to act on its commitment to human rights by taking firm action. While Israel continues to commit grave human rights violations against Palestinians, potentially with U.S. resources, President Biden celebrated 75 years of the apartheid state, claiming to "work together to create a more prosperous, peaceful, and integrated Middle East" despite Israel proving itself as an apartheid regime over and over again through egregious actions over the last year alone. How is peace being created when the current circumstances lead Palestinians to prefer finding freedom through death rather than remaining imprisoned by the bonds of Israel's brutal occupation?

SIGN OUR PETITION

Dear Mr. President,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern about Israel's continued use of administrative detention. This practice allows Israeli authorities to detain individuals without charge or trial for prolonged periods. After an 86-day hunger strike in administrative detention, Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan was found dead in an Israeli prison cell on Tuesday, May 2. Israeli officials refused to grant Adnan his freedom despite being informed by a Physicians for Human Rights Israel medic that he was facing "imminent death."

As you know, administrative detention violates international human rights law and due process. The practice undermines the rule of law and denies individuals their fundamental right to a fair trial, to know the charges against them, and to defend themselves in court. In addition, it allows authorities to detain individuals indefinitely without any accountability or oversight.

We are deeply disturbed by Israel's regime of mass arrests and imprisonment of Palestinians, an evident systematic effort to embed its criminal occupation and apartheid over Palestinian life. According to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked, Israel currently holds more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees in administrative detention, meaning they are being held without charges or trial. This is the highest number being kept on record since 2003. As of last month, 4,900 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons as political prisoners. Among these are 160 child prisoners, 30 female prisoners, and 554 serving life sentences.

Israeli authorities arrested Adnan in February 2023, and he was held in administrative detention until his death this morning. His case is not unique and will likely repeat until Israel is held accountable. Adnan, a father of nine, was a prominent Palestinian activist, baker, father, husband, and son. He had been on hunger strike since February 5, 2023, to protest his detention and the conditions of his confinement.

As its largest ally, we urge you to hold Israel accountable and pressure an end to administrative detention immediately before a similar tragedy reoccurs. We believe the United States is morally obligated to stand for human rights and justice and speak out against international law violations. Israel should not be an exception.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Signed,

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Americans for Justice in Palestine Action
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(703) 534-1904 | info@ajpaction.org

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