Palestinian Farmer Tel Yanun Dradik’s Health Declines During 12-Day Hunger Strike in Israeli Detention

Tel Yanun Dradik, a Palestinian farmer from Binyamin, is experiencing a severe health decline while on a hunger strike protesting his administrative detention by Israeli authorities. According to the legal rights group Honenu, Dradik has suffered repeated fainting spells and was taken to the detention center clinic at Megiddo Prison on the 12th day of his strike. Dradik was detained about two weeks ago under an administrative detention order issued by Central Command Chief Avi Blot, which restricts him to house arrest at his deaf and widowed mother-in-law’s home without prior notification.

Attorney Nati Rom from Honenu visited Dradik at Megiddo Prison and condemned the use of what he called "draconian and even illegal" administrative detention orders against settlers without trial. Rom emphasized the urgent need to end these orders, stating, "It is painful to witness this growing phenomenon." Honenu highlighted that Dradik’s fainting began the day before his clinic visit and that he remains on hunger strike in protest of the detention order. Dradik is a father of four and his case has drawn attention to the controversial use of administrative detention in the West Bank.

The situation underscores ongoing tensions surrounding administrative detention policies in the Israeli-occupied territories and the health risks detainees face during prolonged hunger strikes. No immediate resolution or release date for Dradik has been announced, and his condition continues to be monitored by prison medical staff.