Prefatory Note

John Hurson in Ireland has been keenly conscious of the affinities between the historic Irish hunger strike of 1981 and the ongoing Palestinian hunger strikes. He has travelled to Gaza on several occasions on humanitarian aid convoys, and is the founder of the on line Gaza TV News service. I suggested that we collaborate on an article that might recall the Irish experience, especially the parallels and the potential implications for the future of the Palestinian struggle.

John Hurson ends his reflective essay with a comparison between the hardheartedness of Netanyahu and the British leader at the time, Margaret Thatcher. Although more than 30 years have passed since Bobby Sands and his nine fellow prisoners died as a result of carrying their prison protests to their ultimate point of no return.

I hope and pray that no Palestinian hunger strikers die. Their moral authority and political energy is needed to galvanize further these glimmerings of a Palestinian awakening. The impact of Khader Adnan and later Hana Shalabi, after their release from Israeli prisons is illustrative, and helps us all understand that although abusive arrest and administrative detention is the immediate cause of the hunger strikes, their agenda was always far broader than seeking personal relief.

Their intention, already partially effective, was to shine a bright light of truth on the manner in which Israel has used administrative detention, as well as on broader concerns about Palestinian imprisonment more generally, and beyond this, to call attention to the unlawful and immoral denial through decades and across generations of fundamental Palestinians rights under a structure called internationally ‘occupation’ but experienced as a lethal blend of annexation, apartheid, and settler colonialism.

At this time present medical condition of at least six long-term hunger strikers has been reported to be grave for the past several days. The respected Palestinian NGO, Addameer, gave details in its May 9^th release entitled “Update: Situation of Long-Term Hunger Strikers Becomes Increasingly Urgent.”  Those in critical condition include Thaer Halahleh and Bilal Diab (74 days); Hassan Shafadi (68 days); Omar Abu Shalal (66 days); Mohammad Taj (55 days); Jaafar Azzedine (51 days).

There have been calls made for a worldwide empathy and solidarity hunger strike on Tuesday, May 15, the day that the Nabka is observed by Palestinians and their friends worldwide. I intend to make this gesture of support, and hope many others will join, and send a further message that the cause of Palestinian justice is rising to the top of the moral agenda of the peoples of the world even in the face of the awful complicity of Western governments with an intolerable situation of prolonged occupation and exile.

RECALLING THE IRISH HUNGER STRIKE OF 1981

By John Hurson of County Tyrone, Ireland

In 1980, 7 IRA men in the H Block prison embarked on a hunger strike seeking to re establish their political status, which the British Government had ended 4 years before. After 53 days, and the men close to death, a deal was apparently on the table from the Thatcher led British Government, and the men called of their hunger strike. In the days that followed, it became clear that there was no deal.

2 months later, another hunger strike was announced, and on March 1st, Bobby Sands began his hunger strike. As part of their strategy, different men would join at later stages. Several men would follow Bobby, and by the end of the summer, 10 men had died before the hunger strike was called off.

The prisoners had 5 demands:

1. The right not to wear a prison uniform;

2. The right not to do prison work;

3. The right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;

4. The right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;

5. Full restoration of remission lost through the protest.

In the months that followed, several of the demands were met, and within 2 years, all 5.   A few weeks after Bobby started his fast, the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone died, and an election was called. A decision was made to run Bobby as a candidate in order to gain more attention to their plight, and on his 41st day on hunger strike, he was elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.   His election lit a spark where the Republican movement saw the impact of electoral success.

The rise of Sinn Fein to where they are today can be traced back to this victory. Today, Sinn Fein are a major political force in Ireland, and have elected representatives in all corners of Ireland. During the negotiations that led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Fein played a major role. Today, Martin McGuiness is the Deputy First Minister in the Stormont Executive, and meets world leaders on a regular basis. Gerry Adams, the party leader, is an elected TD (Teachta Dala, Gaellic designation for Member of Parliament) in the Irish Parliament.

There is no doubt that the hunger strike of 1981 changed things forever, not only for the prisoners in the H Blocks, but politically. The names of the 10 men are ingrained forever in Irish history, and the dark days of 1981 are now a beacon of hope for the future.

Bobby Sands

Khader Adnan ended his hunger strike after 66 days, the same length of time Bobby Sands endured before he died on May 5th 1981. Throughout Khader’s hunger strike, he was compared to Bobby Sands, the first of ten men to die in the Hunger Strike of 1981.

Forever, the 2 men will be talked about in the same breath for their courage, determination, and in Bobby’s case, ultimate sacrifice.

At the beginning of March 1981, Bobby Sands began his Hunger Strike. He died on May 5^th.

Following Bobby, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara,Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee, and Mickey Devine all died before the strike was called off.

the 10 men who died on hunger strike in 1981

As Khader Adnan approached the 50 day mark, I contacted Tommy McKearneyand he recorded a message for Khader and his family. Tommy’s message carried a unique understanding of Khader’s condition as Tommy had gone 53 days without food in 1980.

I contacted Oliver Hughes in South Derry. Oliver’s brother, Francis, died after 59 days, and his cousin Thomas McElwee after 62. Oliver  recorded a very powerful message .

As Khader was on his 64th day, I got in contact with the family of Ray McCreesh. They sent a statement of support for Khader and his family. Ray McCreesh (61 days), died on the same day as Patsy O’Hara.(61 days)   Patsy ’s brother Tony sent a message of support  on behalf of himself, and his mother Peggy.

Mickey Devine was the last of the 10 men to die in 1981. Mickey’s children, Michael og and Louise, sent through a heartfelt message,. considering they were the same age as Khader’s children when their father died, their voices added a special meaning. Mickey Devine, (27), died on August 20th 1981

In addition to these messages, two other former hunger strikers added their voices. Pat Sheehan(55 days), and Ray McCartney  (53 days), sent a video message. Danny Morrison, who was a friend of Bobby Sands also issued a statement.

On day 66, Khader reached an agreement with the Israeli Government to end his strike on the condition that they would not renew his Administrative Detention order, and release him on April 17^th.

Khader Adnan and his 2 daughters following his release

Following Khader’s hunger strike several other prisoners followed his example, and began hunger strikes in protest at their incarceration under the Administrative Detention policy.

On April 17^th, over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners initiated a mass  hunger strike. The plight of the Palestinian prisoners was set to take centre stage, and their struggle brought to the worlds attention.  In the days that followed, hundreds more joined them.

Adding a voice of support for Bilal Diab and Thaer Hallahla who were on day 70 of their hunger strike, was Laurence McKeown. Before ending his fast, he had gone 70 days without food. He knew only to well the dangers facing both men, and he recorded a message of support.

Two days later, Pat Sheehan, MLA,issued a statement on behalf of Sinn Fein calling for an immediate end to Administrative Detention, and support for the prisoners.   Bilal and Thaer are on day 74 day of their hunger strike.

Bilal Diab and Thaer Hallahla at a recent court appearance

Ireland has a long history of the use of a hunger strike as a form of protest. It has been used for centuries. Palestinian prisoners have been inspired by Irish hunger strikes in the past, and this one is no different.

In 1981, Palestinians prisoners sent a message of support to the families of the 10 men who died. Their memory burns bright among current prisoners on hunger strike.   This hunger strike has resonated widely in Ireland.

The voices have roared around the world, playing a pivotal role in bringing international awareness and pressure on the Israeli Government, and their treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

Historically, Ireland has had its fair share of tyrants. Amongst them, Margaret Thatcher is in a league of her own for allowing 10 Irish men to die on hunger strike before granting their 5 demands.

Judging from his past behaviour, Netanyahu, like Thatcher in 1981, is unlikely to step in to avoid having any of these Palestinian die during their hunger strikes.

Is the fuse being lit for a 3^rd Intifada? Only the future will give us an answer.

Richard Falk is an international law and international relations scholar who taught at Princeton University for forty years. Since 2002 he has lived in Santa Barbara, California, and taught at the local campus of the University of California in Global and International Studies and since 2005 chaired the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

A letter from Thaer Halahleh, on day 75 of hunger strike against his detention without charge, to his two-year-old daughter Lamar, who he has never seen. 

“My Beloved Lamar, forgive me because the occupation took me away from you, and took away from me the pleasure of witnessing my first born child that I have always prayed to God to see, to kiss, to be happy with. It is not your fault, this is our destiny as Palestinian people to have our lives and the lives of our children taken away from us, to be apart from each other and to have a miserable life, nothing is complete in our lives because of this unjust occupation that is lurking on every corner of our lives turning it into eeriness, a continuous pursuit and torture.

Despite that I was deprived from holding you and hearing your voice, from watching you grow up and move around in the house and in your be, and that I was deprived of my rule as a human and a father with my daughter your existence has given me all the power and hope, and when I saw your picture with your mother in the sit-in tent, you were so calm staring in wonder at people, as if you were looking for your father, looking at my pictures that are hung inside the tent asking in silence why is my father not coming back, I felt that you are with me, in my sentiment and inside my mind, as if you are a part of my heartbeats, steadfast and the blood that flows in my veins, opening all doors for me spreading clear skies around me, and unleashing your free childish voice after this long silence”.

“Lamar my love: I know that you are not to be blamed and that you don’t yet understand why your father is going through this battle of the hunger strike for the 75th day, but when you grow up you will understand that the battle of freedom is the battle of going back to you, so that I can never be taken away from you again or to be deprived of your smile or seeing you, so that the occupier will never kidnap me again from you”.

“When you grow up you will understand how injustice was brought upon your father and upon thousands of Palestinians whom the occupation has put in prisons and jail cells, shattering their lives and future for no guilt but their pursuit of freedom, dignity and independence, you will know that your father did not tolerate injustice and submission, that he will never accept insult and compromise, and that he is going through a hunger strike to protest against the Jewish state that wants to turn us into humiliated slaves without any rights or patriotic dignity”.

“My beloved Lamar keep your head up always and be proud of your father, and thank everyone who supported me, who supported the prisoners in their struggle, and don’t be afraid god is with us always, and god never lets people who have faith and patience, we are righteous, and right will always prevail against injustice and wrong doers”.

“Lamar my love: that day will come, and I will make it up to you for everything, and tell you the whole story, and your days that will follow will be more beautiful, so let your days pass now and wear your prettiest clothes, run and then run again in the gardens of your long life, go forward and forward nothing is behind you but the past, and this is your voice I hear all the time as a melody of freedom”.

Thaer Halahleh's 2 year year old daughter Lamar, and his wife

In a statement released to Gaza TV News this evening, Sinn Fein have called for the Israeli Government to end it’s policy of Administrative Detention.

Below is their statement in full:

Serious concern as Palestinians enter 73 days on hunger strike

Sinn Féin MLA and spokesperson on the Middle East Pat Sheehan has called for the Israeli government to end its policy of Administrative Detention, which is essentially a policy of internment. The call comes as a number of Palestinian political prisoners are entering their 73rd day on hunger strike in protest at the policy. 

Speaking today Mr Sheehan said:

“There are serious concerns with regards to the well being of the Palestinian prisoners who are currently on hunger strike protesting against the Israeli policy of administrative detention. 

“Two of the prisoners are now entering their 73rd day on hunger strike with several more being on hunger strike for over 60 days. Beyond this there are over 2,500 prisoners on a collective hunger strike against this policy. 

“We have recently seen movement from the Israeli authorities following the hunger strikes of  Khadar Adnan and Hana Shalabi and the international pressure that was brought to bear on their cases. 

“We now must see the same pressure being brought to bear, to press for an end to the policy of administrative detention which is essentially internment without trial.

“The Israeli Government must be pressurised into adhering to international human rights standards and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners has fallen well short of this.”
–
Preasoifig Shinn Féin
Tionól na Sé Chontae
Foirgnimh na Parlaiminte
Cnoc an Anfa
Béal Feirste
BT4 5XX
Oifig: 02890521473
www.sinnfein.ie

MEDIA RELEASE MARCH 30TH 2012

 Global March to Jerusalem commemorating Land Day in Palestine begins in Aotearoa-New Zealand

 March 30 is Land Day in Palestine and commemorates the events of 1976, when Israel seized massive quantities of Palestinian land and then killed and injured dozens of those who protested against the theft. This year on Land Day, March 30, people from around Palestine and the world will gather to form a Global March to Jerusalem to protest the theft in progress today: the isolation and ethnic cleansing taking place throughout occupied Palestine through illegal settlement activity.

Marches are planned from various points in the West Bank, Gaza, inside the Green Line, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, as well as in Asia and the Pacific, North America, and Europe uniting the efforts of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all citizens of conscience of the world to put an end to Israel’s disregard for international law through the continuing occupation and ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem.

In Aotearoa-New Zealand there will be a picket by the Students for Justice on Palestine in solidarity with the Global March to Jerusalem outside the Israeli Embassy, 39 The Terrace, Wellington at 12 noon today.

According to many treaties and UN resolutions, Jerusalem (Al Quds ) is recognised as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Israel seized control of the city in 1967. It has long been the centre of religious, cultural, health, and commercial life for Palestinians, and an estimated 270,000 Christian and Muslim Palestinians reside in the eastern parts of the city.

The Global March is a peaceful, non-violent response to the systemic discrimination of Palestinians in Jerusalem. Since 1967, Israel has revoked the residency rights of almost 15,000 Palestinians and Palestinian Muslims and Christians from the West Bank and Gaza are frequently denied the right to practice their faith in the Holy City. In addition, human rights groups have calculated that Israel has demolished more than 24,000 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza since the occupation began.

PHRC spokesperson Palestinian-New Zealander Billy Hania says ” there can never be a real Palestinian state as long as the Israeli government continues to steal land and water, control borders, and separate cities and villages of Palestine from each other in defiance of international laws and over 60 UN resolution”.

Adding that “on this significant day the PHRC Auckland, New Zealand stands in solidarity with the dispossessed people of Palestine. The organisation supports other activists who are joining the Global March to Jerusalem to protest the Israeli occupation and its apartheid policies and who will continue to work to create one state in which the human rights of all people are respected and protected”

Access Photo Gallery for Palestine Land Day – Auckland, New Zealand 30 Mar 2012

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/885376/1/

PHRC CONTACTS

Billy Hania 09 215 4530 021 932 182

Janfrie Wakim 09 5200201 or 027 629 1004

No sooner had Khader Adnan ended his 66 day life threatening hunger strike than new urgent concerns are being voiced for Hana Shalabi, another West Bank hunger striker now without food for more than 24 days. Both strikes were directed by Palestinian activists against the abusive use of administrative detention by Israeli West Bank occupying military forces, protesting both the practice of internment without charges or trial and the degrading and physically harsh treatment administered during the arrest, interrogation, and detention process.

 The case of Hana Shalabi should move even the most hardhearted. She seems a young tender and normal woman who is a member of Islamic Jihad, and is dedicated to her family, hopes for marriage, and simple pleasures of shopping.

She had previously been held in administrative detention at the HaSharon prison in Israel for a 30 month period between 2009 and 2011, being released in the prisoner exchange of four months ago that freed 1027 Palestinians and the lone Israeli soldier captive,Gilad Shalit. Since her release she has been trying to recover from the deep sense of estrangement she experienced in prison, and rarely left her home or the company of her family. As she was returning to normalcy she was re-arrested in an abusive manner, which allegedly included a strip-search by a male soldier. On February 16, 2012, the day of this renewal of her administrative detention, Hana Shalabi indicated her resolve to start a hunger strike to protest her own treatment and to demand an end of administrative detention now relied upon by Israel to hold at least 309 Palestinian in prison. Her parents have been denied visitation rights, Hana Shalabi has been placed in solitary confinement, and her health has deteriorated to the point of concern for her life. Impressively, her parents have committed themselves to a hunger strike for as long as their daughter remains under administrative detention. Her mother, Badia Shalabi, has made a video in which she says that even to see food makes her cry considering the suffering of her daughter.

Despite the calls to Palestinian from liberals in the West these extraordinary hunger strikes have met with silence or indifference in both Israel and the West. Israeli authorities declare that such a posture is a voluntary action for which they have no responsibility. The UN has not raised its voice, as well. I share the view of Khitam Saafin, Chairwoman of Union of Palestinian Woman’s Committee: “The UN must be responsible for the whole violation that are going on against our people. These prisoners are war prisoners, not security prisoners, not criminals. They are freedom fighters for their rights.” The plight of Hana Shalabi is also well expressed by Yael Maron, a spokesperson for the Israeli NGO,Physicians for Human Rights- Israel: “The story of Hana Shalabi, like that of Khader Adnan, before is in my opinion a remarkable example of a struggle that’s completely nonviolent towards one’s surroundings..It is the last protest a prisoner can make, and I find it brave and inspiring.”

 To engage in an open ended hunger strike, especially for a person who is not in a leadership role, requires a deep and abiding dedication to right a perceived wrong of the greatest gravity. It is physically painful and dangerous to bodily health, as well as being psychologically demanding in the extreme. It presupposes the strongest of wills, and usually arises, as in these instances, from a sense that any lesser form of resistance is futile, and has a long record of failure. In the end, it is an appeal to the conscience and humanity of the other, and a desperate call to all of us, to understand better the cartography of abuse that abusive imprisonment entails, which I would imagine is pervasively humiliating for a religiously oriented young Islamic woman. To risk life this way without harming or even threatening the oppressor is to turn terrorism against the innocent on its head. It is potentially to sacrifice one’s life to make an appeal of last resort, an appeal that transcends normal law and politics.

 We can only fervently hope and pray that Hana Shalabi’s heroic path of resistance will end with her release and the restoration of her health. For Israel’s own moral wellbeing it is time, really long past time, to renounce reliance on administrative detention and to do more than this, to end forthwith its varied crimes of occupation. At this point the only possible way to do this is to withdraw unconditionally behind the 1967 borders, and to start peace negotiations from that altered position. It is politically unimaginable that Israeli leaders will heed such a call, but it is morally unimaginable that Israel will survive its impending spiritual collapse if it does not do so.

In the meantime, we who are beyond these zones of occupation, abuse, and imprisonment, can only stand and watch as this tragic drama plays itself out.

Today as the world celebrates “International Women’s Day”, spare a thought for Hana Shalabi who is on hunger strike for 22 days. Hana is in the Israeli prison of Hasharon, and she started her hunger strike on February 16th in protest against her detention without trial or charge by the Israeli authorities.

Hana was arrested  on February 16th and immediatly began refusing food. To date, she has only been drinking water, and when her lawyer visited her on Monday, she was experiencing pains in her chest and waist. Her voice has become weakened, and she is suffering from severe nausea and dizziness.

Hana confirmed that on 16 February, she was forcibly strip searched by a male soldier and assaulted, merely hours after soldiers brought her to Salem Detention Center following her arrest. In the affidavit given to Addameer Lawyer Samer Sam’an, Hana described the forced strip search and assault at the hands of the soldiers of the Israeli Occupying Forces as “utterly degrading” and that what they did to her was “not acceptable in all customs of the world”.

Since her arrest, Hana’s parents have not been allowed to visit her, and for the past 13 days, they too have been on hunger strike in support of their daughter.

Just 2 weeks ago, Khader Adnan ended his hunger strike after 66 days. Like Hana, Khader was protesting against Administrative Detention. Khader recieved worldwide attention and support, and the same support is now needed to save Hana’s life.

Amnesty International are urging people to take up Hana’s case, and to contact the Israeli authorities to demand her release.

For further information on Hana’s arrest and detention, please click on the following link for Addameer, the Prisoner Support And Human Rights Association.

http://addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=448

On Tuesday February 21st, 2012, Khader Adnan ended his hunger strike after 66 days, the same length of time Bobby Sands endured before he died on May 5th 1981. Throughout Khader Adnan’s hunger strike, he was compared to Bobby Sands, the first of ten men to die in the Irish Hunger Strike of 1981.  Forever, the 2 men will be talked about in the same breath for their courage, determination, and in Bobby’s case,  ultimate sacrifice.

I was first alerted to Khader’s hunger strike via an article on the internet. At that stage he was on day 42, and receiving little to no coverage.  Through the Gaza TV News web site, and their facebook and twitter outlets, I started to push the news of his plight.  Little did I know he would go 66 days without food, and bring me into contact with the families of the  men who died on Hunger Strike in 1981, and with Tommy McKearney who went 53 days without food in 1980.

In 1980 I was an 11 year old boy growing up in Tyrone, and considering the Troubles started a month after I was born, I had known nothing else but the constant news of death and destruction on a daily basis. Towards the end of 1980, 7 men embarked on a hunger strike seeking to re establish their political status, which the British Government had ended 4 years before. One of those men was Tommy McKearney, who was from Moy, a town 5 mile from our home.

With some of the men near death around the 50 day mark, high level negotiations were taking place in attempts to end the strike. On the 53rd day, the British Government issued a document that on the face of it, gave in to the the prisoners demands, and 1 week before Christmas, the hunger strike was called off, and the 7 men survived. Shortly after the end, the Thatcher led British Government reneged on the deal. In the aftermath, another Hunger Strike was planned.

At the beginning of March 1981, Bobby Sands began his Hunger Strike, and 66 days later, on May 5th, he died. Over the course of the summer, another 9 men died before it came to an end on October 3rd.

A few weeks after Bobby started his fast, the Member of Parliament for my area died, and an election was called. A decision was made to run Bobby as a candidate in order to gain more attention to their plight, and on his 41st day on hunger strike, he was elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

It was an amazing victory, and I can remember the moment well in our kitchen, watching the result live on a  portable black and white TV. No one gave him any hope, and despite all the odds, he triumphed. There was wild celebrations at the announcement of his victory, and it was a serious boost to the prisoners, and their struggle. Over the coming days and weeks, we all thought that there was no way they would let an MP die, and that his life and that of the others following him would be saved. We slowly and painfully found out we were wrong.

In the early hours of May 5th, Bobby Sands died after 66 days on hunger strike. That Tuesday morning, everyone awoke to the news, and over the course of the day, rioting was taking place all over Belfast, and in many towns throughout the North.  People were raging that Thatcher let him die, and likely to let the others die too.

That same day,  3 miles from home, my father was on his way home from work in his new truck. He was stopped, and at gun point he was ordered out. Before his feet hit the ground, 2 petrol bombs were thrown into the cab, and in seconds the fire was blazing, within minutes, destroyed.  Coming home that evening my father was in a state of shock, and devastated. His livelihood wiped out in a flash. The following day, a milk delivery driver, Eric Guiney, and his 14 year old son were attacked during rioting, and they both died in the following days from the injuries they received.

A few days later, over 100,000 people attended Bobby Sands funeral, with schools and businesses closed as a mark of respect. It was a week that our family have never forgotten, and every time I hear his named mentioned, the memories of that week in May come flooding back.

My father bounced back, with incredible support from far and wide, and a few months later, the truck was fixed and back on the road, ironically, the same day that Joe McDonnell was been buried. Joe had gone on hunger strike replacing Bobby Sands, and had died after 61 days .

To the day my father died, he was never angry about it, and considering there was a gun involved, he always counted his lucky stars that he wasn’t shot. The day in October when new came through on the radio that the hunger strike had ended, I was with him. We were at a farm in Fermanagh listening to the news, and after a few minutes, he remarked on how lucky he was. Despite only receiving 50% compensation, he was able to replace what he lost that day in May. The Sands family couldn’t replace Bobby, or the 9 other families couldn’t replace their loved ones, and the Guiney family couldn’t replace Eric and Desmond.

Following Bobby, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee, and Mickey Devine all died before the strike was called off. Within weeks, their demands were met by the British government. Thatcher didn’t have to let them die, but she did. And she has been despised in Ireland and beyond ever since.

31 years later, a Palestinian man, Khader Adnan embarked on a hunger strike in protest at the Israeli policy of Administrative Detention. This allows for Israel to arrest and detain anyone they chose, and hold them for whatever length of time they like. Currently, over 300 Palestinians are detained under this rule, and the longest a person has been held has been 8 years. In Ireland in the early 70′s, the British Government tried a similar policy, Internment. Hundreds of men were arrested, and thrown into Long Kesh without any charge or trail. It was wrong in the 70′s, and it is still wrong today.

As Khader was approaching his 50th day, I knew from the hunger strikes in ’80/’81 that his life was now in immediate danger. I didn’t give him much hope of lasting another ten days, and held zero hope that Israel would show some compassion and release him. Having witnessed at 1st hand their murder and destruction in Gaza over several trips to the besieged region, I held no hope for him. Time was against him, and action was needed.

It was at this point that I called Tommy McKearney and asked for his help. Tommy was aware of Khader’s plight, and didn’t hesitate. Considering Tommy had gone 53 days in 1980, I knew his help would be invaluable. Tommy agreed to record a message of support, and along with my good friend Paudie McShane, we met Tommy at his home and he recorded a very sincere and heartfelt message for Khader and his family. Khader was on day 53 at this stage, and the message carried sincere and genuine support, and a unique understanding of Khader’s condition.

Within hours, the message was on YouTube, and had started to go viral. I also e mailed the message to Richard Falk, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights. He was in the region and was working on Khader’s case among other things. I also sent the video to my good friend in Gaza, Ahmed Alnajjar. Ahmed took the video, added Abaric sub titles, and through his networks, sent the video far and wide through Palestine and beyond.

With no signs of release or charging Khader, and day 60 approaching, I contacted Oliver Hughes in Bellaghy, south Derry. Oliver’s brother, Francis, died after 59 days on hunger strike, and his cousin Thomas McElwee after 62. Oliver was aware of Khader’s situation, and he too was only to glad to help. Paudie and I met Oliver, and he too recorded a very powerful message for Khader and his family. This was recorded and released on Khader’s 59th day. Once again, it was uploaded on YouTube, along with an Arabic version from Ahmed, and i sent it to Richard Falk. Richard was in contact with me from Jordan, where he was working closely on Khader’s case, and he encouraged me to keep on getting support from an Irish perspective considering our history of the hunger strikes in ’80/’81.

At this stage, various main stream media outlets were picking up on Khader’s hunger strike, and several of them referred to to these messages of support. One such piece was from Richard Falk:  Saving Khader Adnan’s life is saving our own soul.

In his article, he made reference to the complete silence from western leaders in speaking up for Khader, and highlighted the support Khader was receiving from Tommy and Oliver. Another article appeared in The Independent by Donald MacIntyre, Khader Adnan: The West Bank’s Bobby Sands

Around this time, Khader’s story was spreading far and wide through social media networking sites, and in particular Twitter.  Through this campaign, people became not only aware of Khader Adnan, but also the draconian law of Administrative Detention. The world was waking up to his story. An excellent article appeared in the media highlighting the power of Twitter in Khader’s case. Hashtagging Khader Adnan: A Global Protest on Twitter

I was using the power of social media through Gaza TV News. It is a news site I created along with my good friend Tom Baker. Tom and myself had travelled to Gaza several times as part of the Viva Palestina convoys, and from our experiences, decided to set up GTV. For nearly 2 years we have been reporting daily on what is happening in Gaza, the West Bank, and internationally with respect to Palestine. We use facebook, twitter, YouTube, and ipadio to report the news. We have a combined following of over 50,000 from across the world, and when we started reporting on Khader Adnan, we knew we were reaching a massive audience. As has been witnessed across the Middle East in the past year or so, the power of social media has had a serious  impact on what has become known as the Arab Spring.

Another man I contacted for help was Carlos Latuff, the amazing political cartoonist. For years Carlos has been producing incredible cartoons highlighting the suffering of the Palestinians. He didn’t hesitate to help, and came up with three cartoons. One depicted Khader and Gandhi together, in reference to the calls for a Palestinian Gandhi many journalists have made in the past, and one of Khader shackled to his bed refusing food.

Two other men I was in contact with were Noam Chomsky and Norman Finkelstein. Both men have been outspoken critics of Israeli policies and actions against the Palestinians for decades, and they too added their support. Norman used his web site, twitter and facebook page to report the latest news on Khader’s plight.

On Sunday 19th, as Khader was on his 64th day, and no doubt staring death at any minute, I got in contact with 3 more family members of the 10 men who had died in 1981. The McCreesh family, from South Armagh, sent a statement of support for Khader and his family. Ray McCreesh was the 3rd man to die after 61 days, and on the same day, May 21st, Patsy O’Hara also died. He too had gone 61 days on hunger strike.

On the Sunday evening, Patsy O’Hara’s brother Tony sent a message of support  on behalf of himself, and his mother Peggy. This too was a very personal message, and along with the McCreesh statement, added serious weight to the worldwide pressure that had now built up in support for Khader.

Late on the Sunday night, I got a call from Michelle Gildernew, our local MP, and she too wanted to record a message of support. She had been following Khader’s case, and wanted to offer support in any way she could. Michelle is the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the seat once held by Bobby Sands. We arranged to meet on Monday at 1pm to record her message for Khader and his family.

Waking up on Monday morning, I received another statement from the family of Mickey Devine, the last of the 10 men to die in 1981. Mickeys children, Michael og and Louise, sent through a heartfelt message, and considering they were around the same age as Khader’s children when their father died, their voices added a special meaning. Mickey Devine, aged 27, died on August 20th 1981, after 60 days on hunger strike.

On Monday afternoon, Noam Chomsky sent me a very strong statement on Khader’s plight, and a stong critism of Israel’s policy of Administrative Detention. He finished his statement with the line “His life is in our hands, and there is no time to lose.” When this article appeared on the web site and through social media outlets, it went viral immediately. It was as if God had spoken!

On top of these messages, 2 other former hunger strikers stepped forward and added their voices for Khader. Pat Sheehan who went 55 days in 1981 issued a statement, and Ray McCartney who went 53 days alongside Tommy sent a video message of support. When Khader was extremly close to death on day 65, Danny Morrison, who was a friend of Bobby Sands issued a statement. 

Throughout Ireland in Derry, Belfast, Newry, Dublin, Cork and Galway, thousands of people attended vigils and added their voices in support. People with very clear memories of 1980 and ’81 knew how much international support meant back then, and they didn’t flinch in their support for Khader. 22 TD’s issued a statement calling on the Irish Foreign Affairs spokesman to call on Israel to save Khader’s life. Parallels between the Irish hunger strikers were been made in practically every article about Khader, and when the spotlight focussed on Ireland, the Irish people stood tall and spoke out.

Going to bed on Monday night, I dreaded the feeling of that fateful day in May ’81 when Bobby Sands died after 66 days. Would Khader be alive or dead when I awoke on this, his 66th day? Would it be too late for him, and would Israel follow Thatcher and let him die?

Tuesday morning arrived, Khader was still alive, and various stories started to emerge. Al Jazeera put out an article saying that he had ended his hunger strike, and was to be released. This proved to be false. Many more media outlets quoted them, and people were celebrating a victory. I was not convinced, as I was only following one source for the truth, and that was Addameer, the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.

As my days work finished in the city of Derry, I called in with a good friend, Eamon McCann, to record a message of support for Khader. 5 minutes after recording Eamon’s message, Tom called me to let me know that Addameer had released a statement confirming Khader has officially ended his hunger strike. The news was incredible, and both Eamon and myself were able to breath a sigh of relief knowing that his life had been saved. Considering that Eamon has been to the forefront of campaigning for human rights both here in Ireland and around the world for over 40 years, it was a privledge to be in his company when confirmation came through.

The following day, Richard Falk covered Khader’s story, and what he had achieved through his 66 day hunger strike.  In an article entitled Saving Khader Adnan’s life and legacy he went on to mention Bobby Sands, and the messages Khader Adnan and his family received from the families and people mentioned above. Khader’s wife also issued a statement  praising her husband, and thanking everyone worldwide for voicing their support.

I write the above account from a personal perspective, and with a sense of history.  Having traveled the world over, the name of Bobby Sands is known by millions world wide. He is regarded as a hero to many, and a terrorist to a few, just like Khader Adnan. However, he was a son, a father, and a  brother who to this day is sorely missed by his family, and will never be replaced, just like the 9 other brave men who followed him to their graves in 1981.

After 66 days Bobby died, and Khader lived. Khader will hopefully regain his strength and return to his wife who is 5 months pregnant, his 2 daughters, and wider family circle. Hopefully he will go on to lead a life where he will share his experience on hunger strike for the greater good, and contribute to peace and justice just like Tommy McKearney, Pat Sheehan, and Ray McCartney have. Khader’s contribution to a peaceful settlement in Palestine could be huge.

I’m so happy that Khader didn’t die after 66 days on hunger strike, and that his family doesn’t have to live with his loss the same way as the Sands, Hughes, McCreesh, O’Hara, O’Donnell, Hurson, Lynch, Doherty, McElwee, and Devine families have had to deal with for the past 31 years. Plus, by ending his hunger strike, countless lives have undoubtedly been saved, as the prospect of mass rioting in Palestine breaking out if he had died were only too real. A repeat of the suffering of the Guiney family, and to a lesser extent, my own family were avoided.

In doing what I did for Khader, I did it in memory of my uncle Brian Mallaghan, who just like Khader, was kidnapped from his bed in the early hours one August morning in 1971 and threw into the dungeons of Long Kesh and held for nearly 2 years without charge or trial. There was no twitter, facebook or YouTube to help Brian or the hundreds of others like him in ’71. Instead, it was left to his parents, and  his brothers and sisters who suffered so much in trying to highlight his case as he lay in Long Kesh suffering beatings and humiliation.

Today, as I think of Khader Adnan, I think of my uncle Brian, and the  people  here in Ireland, Palestine, Guantanamo, and further afield who lie incarcerated without charge or trail. Their fight is our fight, and as has been proved over the past few weeks, people the world over will embrace their fight for justice, freedom, dignity, and humanity.

Today, I am Khader Adnan and Brian Mallaghan, the man who motivated me to fight for human rights, and who sadly passed away a few short months ago. As Khader lives, so too will Brian.

John Hurson

Tyrone

February 24th, 2012

Carlos Latuff

Khader's father, wife, and 2 daughter

Khader Adnan

A Chairde,

We, the family of Irish Republican Socialist Freedom Fighter, Patsy O’Hara, who died on May21st, 1981, after 61 days on Hunger Strike in Long Kesh Concentration Camp, send our heartfelt solidarity greetings to Khader Adnan, and his family at this time of their trial and suffering.

We recognise that the true indication of a just regime is the entitlement to a trial by jury, and innocence until proven guilty.

To deny this to anyone, is to mock the very word justice.

The very same mockery that the Nazi’s perpetrated during World War II, and the British in every country that dared to challenge their occupation.

We call on the Israeli Government to end Khader Adnan’s incarceration immediatley.

is sinne- Peggy and Tony O’Hara

ar son Clann O’hEaghra

Derry, Ireland

February 20th, 2012

 Speaking today to Gaza TV News, Professor Noam Chomsky issued the following statement on the plight of Khader Adnan, and Israel’s policy of “Administrative Detention”.

 

Israel’s policies of administrative detention have been an international scandal for decades.  The crime is dramatized, tragically, by the hunger strike of Khader Adnan, now chained to his hospital bed and facing death because, in his words, “my dignity is more precious than food.” His life is in our hands, and there is no time to lose.

 

Noam Chomsky

February 20th 2012

The M.P. currently sitting in the seat won by Bobby Sands on 31 years ago whilst he was on hunger strike calls for action and sends her message of support to Khader Adnan on day 65 of his .  

“This is Michelle Gildernew the M.P. for Fermanagh South Tyrone sending a message of solidarity and support to Khader Adnan on the 65th day of your hunger strike. I hold the seat that was won 31 years ago by Bobby Sands when he was on hunger strike in Long Kesh gaol in Ireland. Bobby died on the 66th day of his fast. We’re very concerned now about Khader and about the fact that your life could be coming to an end very soon if the Israeli government does not act. We call on the Israeli government, the united nations and people with influence around the world to do what you can to stop the illegal administrative detention carried out against the Palestinian people, internment without trial basically, and to intervene to save Khader’s life.

I also feel as the mother of small children, I understand what your wife must be going through, it must be a horrendous time our thoughts, our prayers and our support are with you at this very traumatic and difficult time and we want you to know the Irish people are 100% behind you and we will do what we can to encourage and force Israel to end the illegal detention of your husband” .

The family of Raymond McCreesh, offer our unwavering support for ‘Khader Adnan’, who is set to enter his 65^th day on Hunger Strike in an Israeli Hospital.

Raymond Mc Creesh, an Irish Republican Army Volunteer from Camlough, South Armagh, died in Long Kesh H-Block on Hunger Strike on the 21^st of May 1981 after 61 days of refusing food in protest at the Criminalisation Policy of the British Government on Irish Republican Prisoners.

Raymond was 24 years old.

We call immediately on all within positions of power or influence, both here in Ireland, and around the World, to use that leverage to ensure the immediate release, and return to full health of Mr. Adnan.

Khader Adnan is being held on ‘Administrative Detention’. Administrative Detention is the arrest and detention of individuals by the state without trial.

We reject this draconian practice used to incarcerate Mr. Adnan, similar to the Criminalisation Policy that Raymond died opposing.

On behalf of the ‘McCreesh Family’ we offer our thoughts, prayers and solidarity to Khader Adnan, his wife, children, and his extended family and friends.

Khader Adnan is now on his 63rd day on Hunger Strike, and is very close to death.

Sahar Francis, a Lawyer for Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Ad-Dameer, visited Khader  yesterday, Friday17th Feb. Adnan told Francis that he is determined to continue his hunger strike, despite his gradually deteriorating health condition, and added that:

“his battle is not personal, but a Palestinian struggle against the illegal Administrative Detention, that confines hundreds of detainees behind bars without charges, in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Conventions”.

Francis said that the Israeli Prison Administration agreed, only two days ago, to allow Adnan to bathe, cut his hairs and nails, for the first time since he was kidnapped and taken prisoner in December 2011.

She added that Adnan still enjoys high confidence, and solid determination, despite his bad health condition, and is determined to continue his strike.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement today, Saturday, saying that the

“EU is concerned over reports of the deteriorating health condition of Khader Adnan,”

Ashton went on to say that

“the EU is concerned about the extensive use by Israel of administrative detention without formal charge.” 

Today, Khader’s wife Randa said that he was not ending his Hunger Strike, and is determined to carry on.

In his hometown, family and friends handed out bags of bread from his bakery.

On Wednesday, Randa visited him in hospital, and she described his condition in the following statement:

 ”His health has drastically deteriorated from the last time I saw him. . . .I expect the worst,”

“The world should pressure the Israeli government to release him before it’s too late.”

““Israel denied Khader fairness & decency, maybe the rest of humanity will show more mercy.”

 

A Doctor who examined Khader on Wednesday, described his condition as been “In immediate danger of death”, and his Lawyers have filed an urgent appeal. The appeal was approved by a High Court Justice, and will be heard at the earliest opportunity.

Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories,  described the situation as urgent, and said the international community should intervene on Mr. Adnan’s behalf.

“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,” said Mr. Falk in a statement.

Richard Falk went even further today in an Op Ed piece in the following Al Jazeera article:

Saving Khader Adnan’s life is saving our own soul Richard Falk

The Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta issued the following statement on Thursday:

“The Carter Center calls on the Israeli government to immediately charge or release Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who was arrested on Dec. 17, 2011, based on “secret evidence” and has been held in administrative detention without charge. Mr. Adnan has undertaken a hunger strike since his arrest 62 days ago and his life is in imminent danger. His grave medical condition has been verified by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.”

Due to the urgency of Khader’s condition, the Palestinian Council of Human Rights Organizations (PCHRO) urges the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union to take immediate action and intervene with Israel in the strongest manner possible to save Khader’s life.

The PCHRO demands that the international community put pressure on Israel to end his arbitrary detention before it is too late.

Today in Gaza and the west Bank, thousands of people came out to show their support for Khader.

Speaking to a mass rally in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh had this to say about Khader:

“We stand by the heroic symbol of prisoners, brother Khader Adnan, in his unlimited hunger strike,”

Across the world, vigils are been held for Khader, and at the prison facility, Ofer, daily demonstrations are been held. The protesters have come under sustained attacks from the Israeli military, and many people have been injured after been shot with rubber bullets, and effects of tear gas inhalation.

Support for Khader Adnan has also come in from Oliver Hughes, whose brother Francis , 25, died in the H Blocks after 59 days. His cousin, Thomas McElwee, 33, also died on Hunger Strike after 62 days. In total, 10 Irish men died during this Hunger Strike in 1981 which included Bobby Sands.

OnTuesday, as Khader Adnan entered his 60th day on Hunger Strike, Oliver, sends a message of support and solidarity to Khader.

Click on the link below to hear Oliver’s message.

Khader Adnan receives message of support from Oliver Hughes. Feb 14th, 2012

Tommy McKearney, an Irish man who went 53 days on Hunger Strike also sent a message to Khader as he entered his 54th day last week

Khader Adnan receives message of support from former Hunger Striker Tommy McKearney

Khader was arrested on 17 December 2011 and has since been refusing food and medical treatment until he is granted release. On 8 January 2012, Israeli authorities issued a four-month administrative detention order, which was confirmed on 7 February 2012 by an Israeli military judge despite his worsening health condition.

The appeal against his administrative detention order was rejected by an Israeli military judge on 13 February.

Anti-colonial heroes: Khader Adnan & Mahatma Ghandi