Speaking with Israel Radio on Sunday 14 Adar 5773, MK (Labor) Binyamin Ben-Eliezer stated the current increase in Arab violence in areas of Yehuda and Shomron signals that Israel must return to the negotiating table with the PA (Palestinian Authority). Ben-Eliezer, a former defense minister, warns that “we are on the verge of another intifada” and in order “to avoid bloodshed we must return to the talks with the PA.”

The death of Arab prisoner Arafat Jardat in Megiddo Prison from an apparent heart attack is the excuse being used in the latest round of PA violence. Seeking to maximize the situation, PA Prime Minister Salim Fayyad expressed “shock” over the death in an Israeli prison. The death launched a hunger strike in prisons on Sunday, involving at least 4,500 terrorists, dubbed “security prisoners” by the Israeli media.

The PA prime minister is demanding a thorough investigation into the death of Jardat. Family members of the deceased report there are signs of violence on the body and they do not believe Israeli reports stating a heart attack was the cause of death.

In a related matter, the Physicians for Human Rights organization has requested from Israel Prison Authority officials to visit and check four hunger striking Arab prisoners, three of whom are hospitalized in Israel. The fourth is in a prison.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)