Israeli military court denies early release to severely ill Palestinian prisoner

jaafarThe Ofer military court today (30 December) rejected a request for early release of Palestinian prisoner Jaafar Awad, 22, of Beit Ummar village near Hebron, who is experiencing a severe health crisis due to acute pneumonia.

He was moved today from Assaf Harofeh hospital to Ramle prison clinic despite his medical situation, which remains dire. Amjad al-Najjar, the director of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society in Hebron, said that this “indicates complete disregards for his life. The clinic is not suitable for a person in Awad’s condition, who needs special medical care.”

Awad was rushed to the hospital on 22 December in a severe medical crisis, shackled hand and foot. His severe pneumonia came in addition to other health problems, including diabetes, thyroid problems, and vision loss in one eye.

On Friday, 27 December, a large march in Beit Ummar near Hebron called for intensified action for Awad and the sick and ill Palestinian political prisoners, emphasizing the responsibility of the Israeli occupation and its prison system for Awad’s life. Palestinian political prisoners have repeatedly reported medical mistreatment and neglect, lack of health care services, denial of treatment, and the use of painkillers rather than appropriate medicines.

Awad has been imprisoned since 1 November 2013; to this day, there is no court verdict against him as his trial has been repeatedly postponed.