The World Should Help the Palestinian Hunger Striker on Humanitarian Grounds

February 15, 2012

We ask that Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan be evacuated, along with his family, to Switzerland, or another suitable country willing to receive him, so that his life can be preserved. We would hope that his family could then receive all the support it needs for his care, and that the Swiss could extend all courtesies, to respect their wishes and to offer humane assistance.

We asked that this be done on humanitarian grounds, without asserting any opinion as to the rightness of his cause. Moreover, by removing Mr. Adnan to a neutral country where he can receive the medical attention needed to preserve his life, it will calm the hearts of people in the region, who could boil over with tremendous and justifiable anger should he die in an Israeli prison. Instead people the world over would be according him the proper dignity and could, if they wish, celebrate the life, commitment and heart of a man who shows such resolve for justice. For the country that extends this humanitarian gesture, it will demonstrate to both sides the active role that the world community wishes to play in promoting understanding and peace in the region. 


Since this paper was aired, Mr. Adnan has agreed to end his hunger strike in return for Israel's agreement to a timely release from administrative detention.