Israeli doctors say Palestinian hunger striker's life still in danger

A group of lawmakers from the predominantly Arab Joint List will visit the hospital where Muhammad Allan is being treated.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: AUGUST 16, 2015 12:49
A Palestinian woman holds a picture depicting Palestinian detainee Mohammed Allan during a protest in solidarity with Allan in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh (photo credit: REUTERS)
A Palestinian woman holds a picture depicting Palestinian detainee Mohammed Allan during a protest in solidarity with Allan in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Doctors at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon said on Sunday that they are working to save the life of Muhammad Allan, the Islamic Jihad operative who has declared a hunger strike that is now in its third month.
Allan, in the 63rd day of a hunger strike in protest of his being held in administrative detention without trial, lost consciousness on Friday morning and has been in danger of dying ever since.
The armed wing of Islamic Jihad, the Gazan terrorist outfit, warned on Friday that if Allan dies, the group will resume rocket attacks in the South.
Barzilai's director is quoted by Israel Radio as saying on Sunday that Allan has been taken off coma-inducing medication and is now being administered intravenous fluids and minerals.
A group of lawmakers from the predominantly Arab Joint List will visit the hospital on Sunday. They will be joined by a family-approved doctor who will check up on Allan.
A right-wing minister told Channel 10 on Sunday that Israel mustn't capitulate to Allan.
Ze'ev Elkin, the minister of immigration and absorption, told Channel 10 on Sunday that Israel cannot accept his demands to be released from administrative detention.
"The State of Israel can't allow itself to be held hostage to hunger strikes by prisoners because today it's one prisoner and tomorrow it will be others," Elkin said. "Today it's a prisoner in administrative detention and tomorrow it will be someone who was sentenced to jail after a fair trial."
"That is why the state passed legislation [mandating the force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners] and it needs to be implemented," Elkin said.