Check out this music video: Khader Adnan, Bobby Sands. Thanks to Sami Awad and Dottie Villesvik for calling it to my attention.
It addresses a situation – an event – a moment – a witness that weighs on me, in large part because I am so late : Khader Adnan has entered the 64th day of a hunger strike. Doctors say he is at immediate risk of death.
His hunger strike began in mid-December when he was arrested by Israeli forces at his West Bank home. The BBC notes that: “The 33-year-old baker is being held under what Israeli law calls administrative detention, meaning he can be held without trial or charges indefinitely if he is deemed to be a security threat. Israel says he is a security threat. Its high court of justice has scheduled a petitions hearing regarding the case for Thursday.” Reports are that he is member of Islamic Jihad, which Israel and others name as a terrorist group.
Khader Adnan’s situation and response call to mind the 1981 hunger strike in Northern Ireland. Bobby Sands started first and died after 66 days. Nine others followed.
The parallels haunt me. I struggle to understand and express my thoughts and feelings. This song does so far better than I am able to do at the moment:
Khader Adnan grew up near Jenin City
You could say he was a product of his time
…
Because you can’t break a man who won’t be broken
Like in Belfast not many years ago
See you along the Trail.
Related articles
- Raymond McCartney, former Irish hunger striker in message of support to Khader Adnan (alethonews.wordpress.com)
- Khader Adnan: The West Bank’s Bobby Sands (independent.co.uk)
Along the Graybeard Trail 
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