Israeli Hunger Striker Seeks Permission to Attend Slain Friend's Funeral

Tal Yinon Dradik, an Israeli settler activist on hunger strike for about three weeks protesting his administrative detention, has urgently requested permission to attend the funeral of his friend Binyahu Malat, who was killed in a shooting attack at Givat Gilad. Dradik, a resident of a settlement in the Binyamin region and father of four, submitted the request through his lawyers, emphasizing the humanitarian need to either attend the funeral or at least visit the bereaved family during the shiva mourning period.

In a letter sent by his legal team, including attorneys Nati Rom, Moshe Poleski, Yehuda Sharaki, and Adi Kider, Dradik described Malat as a dear friend and Israeli hero and expressed his urgent wish to pay respects and comfort the grieving family in Samaria. Dradik was detained about three weeks ago under an administrative order issued by Central Command Chief Avi Blot, which required him to remain under house arrest at his mother-in-law's home without informing her in advance. Because he could not comply with this order, Dradik began a prolonged hunger strike.

His health has severely deteriorated in the past week, with repeated fainting episodes reported. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding administrative detentions and the personal toll on detainees and their families. Dradik's lawyers have filed an urgent petition regarding his situation. The authorities have yet to respond to his request to attend the funeral or visit the family during the mourning period.