Middle East round-up: Palestinian hunger striker dies
Introduction
Maher Al-Akhras, a Palestinian activist detained by Israeli authorities without charge or trial,
died on November 5, 2021, after a 103-day hunger strike. His case has drawn attention to the
ongoing human rights abuses faced by Palestinians in the Middle East, particularly the use of
administrative detention by Israeli authorities. Al-Akhra’s hunger strike sparked protests and
solidarity from Palestinians and international human rights groups, who are calling for an end
to administrative detention and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This article will explore the impact of al-Akhra’s death and the broader issues facing the Middle
East, including the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, and the international
community’s response to this crisis Al-Akhras’s hunger strike and its impact on the Palestinian community Maher al-Akhras’s 103-day hunger strike drew widespread attention and solidarity from
Palestinians and the international community, who saw it as a symbol of the broader injustices
faced by Palestinians.
Al-Akhras began his hunger strike to protest against his detention
without charge or trial under Israel’s administrative detention system, which allows Israeli
authorities to detain Palestinians for extended periods without trial or access to legal counsel.
Al-Akhras’s hunger strike and subsequent death have had a profound impact on the
Palestinian community, who view his case as emblematic of the broader struggle for human
rights and justice in the Middle East.
His protest has highlighted the issue of administrative detention, which is used routinely by Israel as a means of suppressing Palestinian dissent and punishing activists. The Palestinian Authority declared three days of mourning following al- Akhras’s death, and there were widespread protests throughout the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the United
Nations Security Council to discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners, including those held
under administrative detention. Al-Akhras’s hunger strike also sparked solidarity and support
from international human rights groups and activists, who condemned Israel’s use of
administrative detention as a violation of due process and international law. The case has
drawn attention to the ongoing human rights abuses faced by Palestinians in the Middle East,
including restrictions on movement, home demolitions, and violence.Maher al-Akhras’s
hunger strike and subsequent death have had a profound impact on the Palestinian community
and the international community. His case has highlighted the broader struggle for human
rights and justice in the Middle East, particularly the issue of administrative detention, and
has sparked solidarity and support from human rights groups and activists around the world.
International reactions to al-Akhras’s death and calls for an end to administrative
detention Maher al-Akhras’s death has sparked international condemnation of Israel’s use of
administrative detention and its treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
The European Union called for a “full and transparent” investigation into al-Akhras’s death, and the United Nations human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, expressed her condolences to his family and called for an end to administrative detention. Several human rights organisations, including Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch, have also called for an end to administrative
detention and the release of Palestinian prisoners held without charge or trial.
They argue that Israel’s use of administrative detention is a violation of due process and human rights. The Palestinian Authority has also called for the international community to take action to end the
Israeli occupation and support the rights of Palestinians. Palestinian Prime Minister
Mohammad Shtayyeh has urged the United Nations to intervene and provide protection for
Palestinian civilians. In the United States, members of Congress have called on the Biden
administration to hold Israel accountable for its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and to end
military aid to Israel.
In a joint statement, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan
Omar, and Rashida Tlaib called for an end to Israel’s use of administrative detention and an
investigation into al-Akhras’s death. Maher al-Akhras’s death has sparked international
condemnation of Israel’s use of administrative detention and calls for an end to the practice.
The international community, including the European Union, United Nations, human rights
organisations, and members of Congress in the United States, have called for an investigation
into al-Akhras’s death and for an end to Israel’s use of administrative detention.
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the Middle East
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades and has had a significant impact
on the Middle East region. The conflict has been characterized by violence, human rights
abuses, and political and territorial disputes. At the heart of the conflict is the issue of the
Palestinian territories, which were occupied by Israel in 1967. The international community
recognizes the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territories,
but Israel disputes this and continues to build settlements in the occupied territories. The
conflict has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides, with Palestinians bearing the
brunt of the violence. The United Nations estimates that over 10,000 Palestinians have been
killed since the start of the Second Intifada in 2000, while over 1,200 Israelis have also lost
their lives.
The conflict has also had a significant economic impact on the region, with the
Palestinian territories experiencing high levels of poverty, unemployment, and
underdevelopment. The ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to a severe humanitarian crisis,
with limited access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical supplies. The conflict
has also had a broader impact on the Middle East, with regional tensions and instability
exacerbated by the ongoing crisis.
The conflict has been used as a rallying point for extremist
groups, and has led to increased sectarian tensions and violence in the region. Efforts to
resolve the conflict have been ongoing for decades, but progress has been slow and often
stalled. The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, based
on a two-state solution that would see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
alongside Israel.
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has had a significant impact on the
Middle East, resulting in violence, human rights abuses, and economic and political
instability. The conflict has also had broader implications for the region, with extremist
groups using the crisis as a rallying point and sectarian tensions increasing. Efforts to resolve
the conflict have been ongoing for decades, and the international community continues to call
for a peaceful resolution based on a two-state solution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the death of Palestinian hunger striker Maher al-Akhras has brought renewed
attention to the issue of administrative detention and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in
Israeli jails. Al-Akhras’s determination to protest his detention through a hunger strike has
inspired others to speak out against the Israeli policy of administrative detention, which has
been condemned by the international community and human rights organisations as a
violation of due process and human rights.
Al-Akhras’s death has also highlighted the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the Middle East region. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, economic hardship, and political and sectarian tensions, and efforts to resolve it have been ongoing for decades.
The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, based on a two-state solution that would see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The death of Maher al- Akhras is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for a just and lasting solution to the conflict, one that respects the human rights of all parties involved and brings an end to the cycle of
violence and suffering that has plagued the region for far too long.
