Hunger-striking security prisoner Muhmad Alaan was transported to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon last week after doctors at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva refused to force feed him under a new law permitting the force feeding of imprisoned terrorists in life-threatening condition.

While Barzilai initially signaled it would feed the prisoner against his will, this has yet to occur and the area outside the hospital has become a venue for protests for and against the prisoner. Walla News reports the doctor treating him states if he awakens and refuses nutrition, he will stop and permit him to die.

On Sunday afternoon Arabs gathered for a support rally which was met with Israelis opposing their position. A police officer on the scene reports that four buses of Arabs from around the country. Police stopped the bus and informed them the bus is illegal. They nevertheless got off the bus and began waving PLO flags. After being informed again the protest is illegal, they began throwing rocks at police and using pepper spray against police.

Police had a water cannon standing by. Arrests were made.

A court spokesman on Monday, 2 Elul released a statement to the press that the case of Alaan, 62, and his hunger strike was going to be heard in the High Court, which will decide if he is to be released.

Ahead of the hearing in the High Court of Justice on Monday afternoon, the state did not express any objections to the release of the terrorist who is in a medically induced coma and on a respirator. The petition is being heard by Justices Rubinstein, Hayut and Fogel. The defense counsel explains the prisoner should be released due to his serious medical state.

The state prosecutor called on the court to reject the petition, explaining the prisoner’s administrative administration was challenged in the court on August 4, 2015, at which time the court rejected the petition, which is viewed as having already adjudicated the administrative detention. However the state prosecutor concluded that in an exceptional move, it will not oppose his release for as long as the prisoner leaves the country for a period of no less than four years and does not return to the region.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan tweeted “If Alaan is released, every security prisoner will hold a hunger strike as a new weapon”.

In the meantime, security agencies are preparing for violence in the event that Alaan dies in Israeli custody.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)