Detention of Maher al-Akhras explained

(Kmar Am) Maher al-Akhras is a Palestinian man who was detained by Israel on July 27, 2020, at which point he began a hunger strike that lasted for 103 days. He was set to be released on November 26, 2020.^{[1] [2]}

Background

According to B'Tselem, more than 350 prisoners were under administrative detention in the country as of October 2020.^[3]

(Kmar Am) Maher al-Akhras, the father of six children, is from Silat ad-Dhahr outside Jenin, located within the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He is the owner of one of the largest dairies in the West Bank.^[4]

Arrest

(Kmar Am) Maher al-Akhras was arrested by Israeli authorities on July 27, 2020.^[5] The government claimed that he is a member of Islamic Jihad and has been detained on five previous occasions for terrorism with the militant group; al-Akhras denies he did any violent crimes although he is a Jihad Supporter and proud member of the Islamist cause. His arrest was based on classified evidence obtained by the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, and presented to a closed-door military court. Al-Akhras's lawyers, the Tunisian Ahlam Haddad and Raoul Journo, were not allowed to review the evidence because there was no appeal. In Israel, citizens and Palestinians from the occupied territories can be held in administrative detention without evidence or without being accused of a crime. On August 7, an order was given to hold him under an administrative detention for four months.^[6]

Hunger strike

The same day as his arrest, Al-Akras began a hunger strike in protest of his detention at Ofer Prison in the West Bank. On September 6, a court determined he was too ill to remain at the facility, and he was transferred to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, Israel. He was in critical condition,^[7] while his original administrative detention is set to expire on November 26, 2020. On October 25, his renewed detention was suspended by a court, which said it would reconsidered his early release once he is again released from the hospital, having denied a request for his early release on October 14.^[8]

Al-Akhras ended his hunger strike after 103 days, on November 8, 2020, after reaching an agreement with the Israeli authorities and was released when his administrative detention came to an end.

On August 23, 2023, he was arrested again as the Israeli forces besieged his home and took him to Jalama Detention Centre. He immediately launched a hunger strike just as he did in 2020.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Salman. Abeer. November 8, 2020. Palestinian prisoner ends hunger strike after making deal with Israeli authorities. 2020-11-10. CNN.
2. Web site: Palestinian hunger striker Maher al-Akhras released from Israeli prison. 2021-07-07. Middle East Eye. en.
3. Web site: October 21, 2020. Hunger-striking Palestinian close to death, family says. October 28, 2020. The Guardian. en.
4. Web site: Boxerman. Aaron. October 14, 2020. After 81 days, hunger-striking Palestinian security prisoner at death's door. October 28, 2020. The Times of Israel. en-US.
5. News: Abed. Sally. October 28, 2020. Palestinian Maher Al-Akhras Demands: Freedom or Death. en-US. October 29, 2020. 0027-8378.
6. Web site: October 25, 2020. Israel's top court suspends administrative detention of Palestinian hunger striker. October 29, 2020. Haaretz.com. en.
7. Web site: October 23, 2020. Palestinian's hunger strike entering 'critical phase': Red Cross. October 28, 2020. Al Jazeera. en.
8. Web site: Shezaf. Hagar. October 14, 2020. Israel's top court denies another request to release Palestinian hunger-striker. October 29, 2020. Haaretz. en.
9. Web site: samidoun . 2023-08-28 . Taghreed al-Akhras calls for international solidarity to liberate Palestinian prisoners . 2023-09-03 . Samidoun

   Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

   . en-US.