Khader Adnan a Palestinian administrative detainee, who went on a 66-day hunger strike protesting his detention without charge at an Israeli prison, was released on Tuesday night.
Adnan (33), a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was taken by authorities to the Salem Checkpoint, after which he proceeded to his home in a village next to Jenin in the West Bank. He was greeted by hundreds of supporters upon reaching his home.
Adnan began his hunger strike on December 18 to protest what he said was abusive treatment suffered during his arrest a day earlier at his home in the West Bank village of Arrabe outside Jenin. He later announced that the strike was in protest of the entire practice of administrative detention in the West Bank.
Adnan agreed to eat food only after his lawyers struck a deal with the state last month, just hours before the High Court of Justice was set to demand that he either be charged or released. The release was as a part of deal reached in February of this year .
A joyful moment when Justice that #KhaderAdnan fought for with his empty stomach is realized he beat Israelis illegal system he is home
— Tweet_Palestine (@Tweet_Palestine) April 17, 2012
RT @abirkopty: The excitement is so high here in Arabeh. Zagareed of women! #KhaderAdnan released!
— Dima Khatib أنا ديمة (@Dima_Khatib) April 17, 2012
Fireworks and beeps in the village as #KhaderAdnan make his way through Arabeh.
— Abir Kopty(@AbirKopty) April 17, 2012
Below is a clip from local news channel showing jubilant scenes as Adnan was borne home on the shoulders of supporters:
High octane excitement waved amongst Palestinians many tweeted many posted screen grabs:
I almost cried today when I heard #KhaderAdnan was free.
— فلسطينية(@iFalastenya) April 18, 2012
Finally #KhaderAdnan is home 1st picture yfrog.com/nxmdoroj his release was delayed by Israel in an attempt to minimize the celebrations
— Tweet_Palestine (@Tweet_Palestine) April 17, 2012
Favorite #KhaderAdnan quote: “I starve myself for you to remain. I die for you to live. Stay with the revolution.” What a man.
— لينة (@LinahAlsaafin) April 17, 2012
Here he is #khaderAdnan yfrog.com/hwnu4zuj
— Abir Kopty(@AbirKopty) April 17, 2012
Amidst the celebrations, some Palestinians recalled the other prisoners, many of whom joined Adnan in a hunger strike in solidarity:
Khader Adnan is a free man now. 4699 to go. #khaderAdnan
— This is Gaza (@ThisIsGaZa) April 17, 2012
On the other side, Adnan’s release was compared to Bahraini hunger striker Al-Khawaja who has entered his 70th day of hunger strike in protest to his unruly imprisonment in Bahrain.
#KhaderAdnan is released today after 66days on hunger strike. #AlKhawaja entering his 70th day hunger strike w/out signs of release.
— FreedomPrayers (@FreedomPrayers) April 17, 2012
#KhaderAdnan went on 66days hunger strike, demands met n 2 be released on april17 #AlKhawaja #Bahrain 66 days hunger strike, freedom??!
— Diana Alzeer (@ManaraRam) April 14, 2012
