Despite claims of month-long hunger strike, prison service clarifies: Dardik eats occasionally

The Israel Prison Service clarified that Tal Ynon Dardik, an administrative detainee, is not on a hunger strike and eats occasionally, contrary to his wife's claims. According to a prison service source, last Friday Dardik ate challah and fish and drank wine. His wife, Miriam, sent a public letter to heads of local authorities in the West Bank against administrative orders. Dardik is detained on suspicion of involvement in a serious incident in the village of Homesh in March, and following a political storm, Central Command chief Avi Bluth was dismissed.

The Israel Prison Service clarified that Tal Ynon Dardik, an administrative detainee, is not on a hunger strike and eats occasionally, contrary to the claims of his wife Miriam in a public letter she sent today (Monday) to heads of local authorities in the West Bank. According to a prison service source, last Friday Dardik ate challah and a fish dish that were brought to his cell and drank a glass of wine. Last week he was taken to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital after feeling unwell, received fluids and minerals, and was returned to custody. An external doctor on behalf of the family found his vital signs normal and consistent with prison service tests. Dardik was arrested several months ago on suspicion of involvement in the serious incident in the village of Homesh in March, in which settlers stormed the village, beat, and sexually assaulted Palestinians. After release to house arrest, Central Command chief Avi Bluth issued him an administrative exclusion order, which he refused to comply with, and therefore he was placed in administrative detention. The appeals committee of the military prosecution ruled that the order was issued improperly and ordered its cancellation, but Bluth and the prosecution appealed to the district court. The affair led to a political storm, following which Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Bluth's dismissal live on Channel 14. Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin, who accompanies the family, harshly attacked the government and the defense establishment.