JERUSALEM
The Knesset will vote on a final version of a controversial bill that will allow Israeli prison authorities to force-feed hunger-striking Palestinian detainees.
The Knesset's internal affairs and environment committee on Monday approved the bill, allowing hunger-striking prisoners to be force-fed, the assembly announced on its website.
The Knesset is expected to vote on the bill – which must be approved by parliament twice before becoming law – later on Monday.
Opposition members of Knesset (MKs), however, slammed the committee's endorsement of the proposed legislation.
Basel Ghattas, MK for the National Democratic Assembly, called the proposal "an idiotic law by an idiotic prime minister."
MK Ahmad Tibi of the Ra'am-Ta'al-Mada Party described the bill's passage as a "black day for the Knesset."
Last week, scores of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons ended a weeks-long hunger strike after reaching an agreement with Israeli prison authorities.
The prisoners had launched a hunger strike to protest ongoing "administrative" detentions-without-charge by Israeli authorities. They were later joined by scores of other Palestinian prisoners in a show of solidarity.
Israel's policy of "administrative detention" allows it to detain Palestinian prisoners indefinitely without trial or charge. Administrative detention orders can range from one to six months in length and can be extended by Israeli military courts by up to five years.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Society, an NGO, some 5270 Palestinians – including 191 in administrative detention – continue to languish in jails throughout the self-proclaimed Jewish state.
By Turgut Alp Boyraz
englishnews@aa.com.tr
http://www.aa.com.tr/en
