The High Court of Justice on Sunday 8 Elul ruled the 2015 law that permits force-feeding hunger-striking security prisoners (terrorists) is permissible, explaining that once a prisoner has undertaken a hunger strike, the state is responsible for his well-being. The court ruled against the petition filed against the law by the Israel Medical Association (IMA) and a number of human rights organizations.

The court explains that when a prisoner undertakes a hunger strike, he is no longer like a regular person but a person who has willingly decided to put his health at risk as an act of protest.

The IMA feels doctors should not be compelled to force feed a prisoner and has expressed objections to the law passed in Knesset from its inception. However, the High Court has given its backing to the law despite the petition from organization along with human rights groups.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)