Prisoner at risk of imminent death has appeal postponed by Israeli court

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Israel's Supreme Court has postponed issuing a decision on appeals by hunger-striking prisoners to be released, a lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners Society said Thursday.

Jawad Boulos said that the court would rule on the appeals at a future date and gave clear instructions to prison authorities to provide medical care to Bilal Diab, 27, from Jenin, and Thaer Halahla, 33, from Hebron, who have refused food since Feb. 29.

Diab reportedly collapsed in court, Boulos said, and was examined by Israeli MK Ahmad Tibi, who is a physician.

The prosecution claim that both prisoners represent a threat to the security of Israel, Boulos said.

An Israeli doctor who visited them on Monday warned Diab was at risk of immediate death, the prisoner rights group Addameer said. more