Muhammad Al-Qeq reportedly close to death

Palestinian journalist Muhammad Al-Qeq is reportedly close to death as he continues his hunger strike against Administrative Detention. Thirty-three-year-old Al-Qeq launched his hunger strike on 24 November. He is now being held at Israel’s Afula hospital and his condition is described as critical.

According to the Palestinian Authority’s Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs the Israeli Supreme Court will hear an appeal for Al-Qeq’s release today at 11.30am.

In July 2015 the Israeli Knesset passed a law allowing Israeli doctors to force-feed prisoners who are carrying out hunger strikes. Internationally, the force-feeding of hunger strikers has been prohibited by the World Medical Association since 1975. Since the Israeli law was passed in the Knesset, Israel has refrained from force-feeding Palestinian political hunger strikers but the PA Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs fears that the Israeli authorities may decide to force-feed Al-Qeq to prevent his death.

As Al-Qeq’s condition continues to deteriorate solidarity actions calling for his immediate release are continuing across the West Bank. In Ramallah, protests have been held in the city centre and at the al-Bireh base of the International Red Cross.

Images by MEMO Photographer Rich Wiles.