Protestors call for Arab hunger striker's release

More than 1,000 Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza rally in support of Islamic Jihad man who hasn't eaten in 65 days

Elior Levy |Published: 02.20.12 , 20:48

More than 1,000 Palestinians rallied Monday in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to express their solidarity with an Islamic Jihad man on a 65-day hunger strike and held in administrative detention.

At least 1,000 people participated in a protest for Khader Adnan in the West Bank town of Nablus. Elsewhere, dozens rallied outside the Red Cross offices in Ramallah and called for the release of all Palestinian prisoners. Dozens more demonstrated in Gaza.

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Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority announced that all Palestinian prisoners will hold a hunger strike this Thursday to protest Adnan's ongoing detention. The prisoners announced, in a leaflet, that Thursday will be declared a "day of fury."

"Every prisoner is khader Adnan; the Israeli government and prison service will pay a heavy price should they harm Khader Adnan," the prisoners announced.

Israel's High Court of Justice will discuss the case Tuesday after Adnan's attorney asked to bring forward a hearing scheduled for Thursday, fearing that Adnan's deteriorating condition may lead to escalation in the territories.

The petition submitted to the court on behalf of Adnan asked judges to order Adnan's release from administrative detention and hand over to him all investigation materials against him.

According to the petition, in the last two months Adnan's weight dropped from 91 kilograms (roughly 200 pounds) to 62 kilograms (roughly 140 pounds.)

Aviad Glickman contributed to the story