Repressing Palestinian prisoners' anti-colonial struggle

Benjamin Netanyahu’s emulation of Guantanamo torture – the force-feeding of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails — has resurfaced once again, occupying the usual hype which detracts from the real issues at hand. At the same time it reinforces the reality of the link between the state, medical institutions and torture that has apparently been the norm.

Yesterday, Ma’an News Agency reported that Israeli doctors refused to comply with orders to force-feed Palestinian prisoner Muhammad Allan, who has been on hunger-strike for almost 60 days. However, the decision was reversed swiftly in order to keep violence at the helm. While declaring force-feeding to be “an unacceptable step that contravened medical ethics”, Barzilai Medical Centre, where Allan is hospitalised, stated that force-feeding would be implemented “without the consent of the patient” if he is at risk of losing his life. Allan was transferred to Barzilai after doctors in Soroka refused to comply with orders to force-feed him.

The Israeli Medical Organisation’s guidelines regarding force-feeding display an absurd contradiction: “In accordance with generally accepted ethical principles in Israel and abroad, forced medical treatment, including force-feeding, is forbidden.” Coercion has formed part of the international community’s alleged ethical principles, a trait that Israel has copied while enjoying full support from organisations that thrive upon human rights violations. Supposed prohibitions are inscribed for public quotation purposes only, while the fabricated state enshrines its violence through legislation; it expects compliance and corruption not only in force-feeding but also in diverting attention away from the political issues that are forcing Palestinian prisoners to embark upon hunger strikes in the first place, such as administrative detention without charge or trial, torture and medical negligence.

Recently, Netanyahu utilised administrative detention as a publicity card, following the murder of Palestinian toddler Ali Dawabsheh by Israeli settlers. For a transient period, the Israeli prime minister was able to dissociate administrative detention and Palestinian prisoners (against whom it has been used uniquely), stating that the settlers responsible for the murder would face similar legislation. The internal security agency Shin Bet, however, has confirmed the release of all of the settlers suspected of involvement in the deadly arson attack, showing Netanyahu’s penchant for manipulation of facts, law and violations to suit his public face, traits that continue to support the existence of his country’s settler-colonial presence.

Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, notably those affiliated to Islamic Jihad, Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), have started a “campaign of disobedience” against the Israeli Prison Service, which is restricting freedom of movement for the prisoners within the premises.

The international community, in accordance with its alleged ethical principles, will issue polite statements of condemnation if absolutely necessary for diplomat purposes. A week ago, the Arab League issued its condemnation of the force-feeding legislation and insisted that the European Parliament, the UN Council of Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross intervene to prevent its application. As usual, the instances selected for condemnation will continue to fragment the Palestinian struggle and render colonial violence into a series of isolated infringements, instead of it being a premeditated, intentional project that continues to reinforce Israel’s existence.

Ultimately, force-feeding is a ramification of Israel’s colonial brand. Campaigning against this violation might achieve a semblance of triumph in which a prisoner’s free will is at least temporarily respected. However, indignation and rebellion should be directed against Israel’s existence – indeed, clamour for its dismantlement — as it is the sole reason why Allan, and thousands of other Palestinian prisoners, remain incarcerated and forced to construct an alternative form of freedom.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.