One man's hunger strike is a victory for Palestinian unity

For much of the 66 days that Khader Adnan spent on hunger strike, international leaders and the world's media averted their gaze. In much the same manner, they long turned a blind eye to Israel's abusive system of internment of Palestinians, which goes far beyond what is permitted by the Fourth Geneva Convention.

However, as Mr Adnan continued his dignified stand, he became a symbol of peaceful resistance and the world slowly began to take notice of the Palestinian baker who objected to indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial.

He ended his strike last week following a deal that guaranteed his release unless Israel unearths new "secret" evidence before April 17.

His victory is a triumph of perseverance and demonstrates that when united and resilient in our commitment to human rights, we will prevail. It is a success that has resonated with many Palestinians, particularly those who remain imprisoned indefinitely under administrative detention.

Following his violent arrest in the dead of night, Israeli interrogators continually mistreated and humiliated Mr Adnan, who is allegedly a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad. They smeared mud on his face and moustache and tore off parts of his beard. Mr Adnan endured verbal slurs against his wife, daughters and mother. He was left sitting on a small chair for hours with his hands tied awkwardly behind his back.

After being subjected to solitary confinement and humiliation, Mr Adnan decided to resist in the only way he could - he began an open-ended hunger strike.

He has, in what is surely the most peaceful way imaginable, taken a stand against Israel's arbitrary form of imprisonment. What is more, the 33-year-old soon-to-be father of three has ensured focus on an inhumane system that is representative of the utter disregard in which Israel holds the lives and rights of Palestinians. Prisoners are held for six-month periods that can be renewed indefinitely, and can be imprisoned without charge or trial. To make matters worse, there is no opportunity for the detainees to defend themselves without access to the secret evidence on which their internment is based on.

For the families of administrative detainees, too, the punishment is interminable, for without a definite sentence the wait is endless. Each hearing is accompanied by a nervous hope that is dashed when another six-month detention order is handed down. The complete absence of prisoners' rights is excused by alleged "security concerns". It is a merciless cycle that eats away at the spirit of both the detainees and their families.

Israel has long relied on administrative detention as a tool of intimidation and oppression. Right now, 309 Palestinians are being held indefinitely in administrative detention. This includes more than 20 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, imprisoned under this system in what amounts to clear interference in the political integrity of the Palestinian people. One Palestinian, Ahmad Saqer, has already been held hostage for more than three years without being charged with a crime.

Another, Ahmad Qatamish, a writer and political scientist, recently had his administrative detention order renewed for six months. He has spent more than six years in internment without charge. Mr Qatamish was first accused of being affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He was later referred to as a Hamas activist. Finally, Israel settled on the broadest possible accusation, and that which is used most frequently: unspecified security risk.

Mr Adnan was joined on his hunger strike by hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Many of them were fined US$25 (Dh92) per day and sent into solitary confinement by Israel as punishment for their solidarity. One of them continues the strike today. Hana Shalabi was released as part of the recent prisoner exchange with Israel after spending more than two years in internment. She was re-arrested and interned once more on February 16, and began her hunger strike on the same day.

Her appeal hearing was scheduled for yesterday. Unless Israel produces evidence upon which it is prepared to charge and try her, Ms Shalabi should be released immediately.

At a time when the fractured Palestinian leadership is struggling to portray a unified front, Mr Adnan has succeeded in uniting the Palestinian people under a common cause. Trapped in an illegal system that makes no allowance for due process or human rights, Mr Adnan responded with dignity, which is one of those rare human qualities that can be so fragile and yet so powerful when threatened.

Sometimes, it takes a 33-year-old baker to remind Palestinians of what has been taken from us. Mr Adnan's hunger strike was not only a protest against abusive internment. It was a condemnation of all of Israel's violations against Palestinians and a refusal to accept Israel's never-ending settlement expansion, the forcible transfer of Palestinians from their land and the closure of the Gaza Strip.

Gandhi believed that the power of the soul grows while the flesh is being subdued. Let us hope that this is the case. Let us further hope that Mr Adnan's struggle will lead to a worldwide condemnation and termination of administrative detention policies and to respect for the rights of Palestinian prisoners. Finally, let us pray that this does not require any more sacrifice from the man who has reminded all of us what human dignity is worth.

Shawan Jabarin is General Director of Al-Haq, an independent non-governmental Palestinian human rights organisation based in Ramallah. He spent approximately seven years in Israeli prisons under administrative detention