UN official warns Israel against force-feeding of prisoners

A top United Nations official warned Israel that passing legislation to force-feed hunger-striking prisoners if their lives are in danger would constitute “a contravention of international standards,” The Jerusalem Post reported.

During an appearance before the Security Council, Jeffrey Feltman, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, expressed concern over Israel’s policy of administrative detentions of West Bank Palestinians as well as recent moves by the government to put in motion legislation that would permit authorities to force-feed prisoners.

Feltman specifically referenced the case of Khader Adnan, the Palestinian prisoner currently in administrative detention. For the past 50 days, Adnan has been on a hunger strike, with some reports in Palestinian media indicating that his life is in danger.

The bill will still need to be brought to the Knesset and pass first and second readings to go into law.