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Hunger striker refuses "release in exchange for deportation"
http://samidoun.net/2016/07/bilal-kayed-transferred-to-ashkelon-i-did-not-
go-on-hunger-strike-to-negotiate-but-for-freedom/


Bilal Kayed transferred to Ashkelon: “I did not go on hunger strike to
negotiate, but for freedom”
CampaignsAdministrative DetentionPrisonersBilal KayedHunger Strike
SolidarityNewsJuly 4, 2016
Torino-Bilal
In a meeting with lawyer Farah Bayadsi of Addameer Prisoner Support and
Human Rights Association in Ashkelon prison on Monday, 4 July, hunger-
striking Palestinian prisoner Bilal Kayed emphasized his determination to
continue his hunger strike until freedom, despite frequent transfers from
prison to prison, difficult conditions of imprisonment, and serious health
impacts of his hunger strike.

Kayed, on his 20th day of hunger strike, is rejecting all medical
examinations, vitamins, and salt supplements. He was transferred from
solitary confinement in Ahli Kedar prison to solitary confinement in
Ashkelon prison on Sunday, 3 July 2016, reaching Ashkelon at 6:00 pm. He was
previously transferred from Ramon prison to Ahli Kedar on 28 June, his 14th
day of hunger strike. His legal visit was delayed because of the transfer
from prison to prison.

His cell in Ashkelon prison measures only 2 meters x 1.5 meters, has no
windows or other ventilation, and contains a toilet and broken sink. The
prison administration has rejected his multiple requests for a fan. When he
was held in Ahli Kedar, his cell was frequently raided and he was subject to
strip searches and body searches.

After twenty days of hunger strike, he is tired, weak, dizzy and unable to
sleep; despite this he is repeatedly made to stand for inspections by the
prison administration.

Bayadsi noted that despite the desolate conditions of his solitary
confinement and weakening health, Kayed was in high spirits and greatly
appreciative of the strong Palestinian and international support for his
hunger strike. He is on strike against his administrative detention without
charge or trial; a six-month detention order was imposed upon him on 13 June
upon the expiration of his 14.5 year sentence in Israeli prisons.

Bayadsi also provided details of the offer of deportation in exchange for
freedom rejected by Kayed: “Mr. Bilal Kayed was offered a deal of
deportation to Jordan for 4 years under condition of no political
involvement. However, Mr. Kayed refused the deal, which was offered to him
by the military commander with recommendations from the intelligence. He was
threatened to be kept under administrative detention for an additional four
years for refusing the deal.”

He rejected the order immediately, saying “If you refuse to allow me to live
with dignity, then I will choose to die with dignity.” Kayed affirmed that
“I did not go on hunger strike to negotiate; I went on hunger strike for
freedom.” Kayed will face the Israeli Ofer military court tomorrow, 5 July,
to confirm his administrative detention order. The order has not been
confirmed and the hearing was postponed, on the last occasion because Kayed
refused to attend or recognize the military court or the administrative
detention process, denouncing the military court as illegitimate.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are engaged in short-term hunger strikes
and protests in support of Kayed, and the Popular Front for the Liberation
of Palestine prisoners have declared that they will start a collective
hunger strike in early July if Kayed remains imprisoned. People around the
world have participated in demonstrations and calls to action demanding
Kayed’s release.

Kayed is one of nearly 750 Palestinians held without charge or trial under
administrative detention; issued for periods of one to six month,
administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable. Kayed’s
administrative detention order was imposed upon the completion of his
lengthy sentence, which Palestinian prisoners fear threatens a dangerous
precedent.

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