

Arafat Jaradat died today in Majido prison under interrogation

Palestinian officials are demanding an international investigation over the untimely death of Arafat Jaradat, a 30 year old Palestinian from a village near Hebron who died today in an Israeli prison.

Jaradat leaves behind a pregnant wife and 2 children. According to his family he was arrested a few days ago on suspicion of being a member of a Fatah cell and immediately transferred to Israel’s Majido prison.

Palestinian Minister of Prisoners Issa Qaraqea claims Jaradat died under interrogation. Reuters:

Palestinian officials on Saturday demanded an international investigation into the death of a Palestinian detainee who died in an Israeli jail hours earlier. “Our information was that Jaradat was being interrogated and then he died. Therefore we call for an international investigation into his death, that may have resulted from torture,” Palestinian Minister of Prisoners Issa Qaraqea said………..according to the group’s records, Jaradat did not suffer from any prior illness. “Israel was responsible for his life,” Fares said.

Jaradat’s death takes place during a week of protests in solidarity with Hunger strikers outside Israel’s Ofer military prison, and the plight of Palestinian prisoners held without charge in inhumane conditions inside Israeli prisons is finally getting international recognition.

Israeli officials are claiming Jaradat was detained for questioning involving a stone throwing incident near Kiryat Arba during Israel’s attack on Gaza last November, and that he died of a heart attack.

Ynet:

A statement issued by the Shin Bet said that Jaradat was arrested last week on suspicion he hurled stones at an Israeli civilian during Operation Pillar of Defense. On Saturday, he fell ill and medics were unable to save him. Police launched an investigation… Due to the sensitive nature of the case it was decided that it would be investigated by the police’s National Serious and International Crimes Unit which is set to write a special report on the incident. Investigators have already started collecting testimonies from guards at the prison and those in contact with Jaradat before his death. Defense officials have offered Palestinian Authority officials to be involved in the autopsy, if one is conducted, and said they will be updated on the investigation.

A protest broke out on the street of Ramallah over the death of Arafat Jaradat.



Protest in Ramallah over death of Arafat Jaradat in Israeli prison, Feb. 23, 2013 (Photo: Raya Fm)

Will a third intifada break out? How much provocation is one society supposed to endure?