Israeli court moves forward Adnan hearing

Israel's High Court has agreed to hear an appeal against the administrative detention of hunger-striking prisoner Khader Adnan two days earlier than scheduled, his lawyer said Monday. The Supreme Court will now hold the hearing on Tuesday, Jawad Bulus said, adding that the prosecutor is required to submit their responses to the appeal before noon. The court had originally scheduled to hear the case on Thursday. The court's decision to move forward the appeal demonstrates its importance in light of Adnan's critical health condition after a 65 day hunger strike, Bulus said. Adnan, who is being held in a hospital in northern Israel, will not attend the session in person. The Islamic Jihad leader is protesting his treatment by Israeli authorities and the practice of detention without charge. It is the longest hunger strike any Palestinian prisoner has undertaken, and a doctor from Physicians from Human Rights who examined Adnan said he would not survive beyond 70 days without food. Adnan was detained from his home in the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Dec. 17, and held without charge ever since. On Feb. 13, Israel's Ofer military court ruled against the appeal of Adnan's four-month administrative detention order. Palestinian Authority Minister of Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqe told Ma'an at the time that the ruling showed "utter disregard for Adnan's life, effectively condemning him to die." Officials say they are pressing international diplomats to save Adnan's life. His condition has sparked widespread solidarity protests and hunger strikes in Israeli jails, Gaza and the West Bank. There are an estimated 309 Palestinians in Israeli administrative detention -- held without charge -- in Israeli jails.