Israel Medical Association fights to stop legalisation of force feeding prisoners on hunger strike

The Israel Medical Association has voiced its strong opposition to a proposed government amendment before the Knesset, which was endorsed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to allow force feeding of prisoners who launch hunger strikes.

Some 190 Palestinian security prisoners, believed by Israeli security authorities to have been involved in terrorist acts against the state, have been in administrative detention instead of being tried in a civilian or military court. Since April, 125 of them have gone on hunger strike, and about 70 have been hospitalised. Their physical conditions have declined as a result of consuming food only from outside prison while refusing meals prepared by the Israel Prison Service. All of the …