The Israeli authorities have released Palestinian Karim Younes after serving a 40-year sentence. “Forty years have passed as if nothing has happened, because we consider this to be one of the main pillars of the struggle,” 64-year-old Younes said after his release from prison, according to AFP.
#Israel released one of its longest-serving #Palestinian prisoners, Karim Younes, after 40 years in jail.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/NOBlXjBZKY
Carrying a black and white kufiyya on his shoulders and raising a Palestinian flag, Younes – considered the ‘dean of Palestinian prisoners’ – was greeted by hundreds of supporters in his hometown of Ara in northern Israel. “The story of every prisoner is the story of a whole people and I am proud to be one of those who sacrificed for Palestine,” said Younes.
Palestinians hold pictures of the Arab Israeli Karim Younes during a ceremony following his release after 40 years in an Israeli prison for kidnapping and murdering an Israeli soldier, on January 5, 2023, in Gaza https://t.co/jLw3Gyp0Ur by majdi fathi pic.twitter.com/KW4WTL6rS5
Despite his joy at regaining his freedom, Younes acknowledged feeling “sorrow” for the Palestinian prisoners still in jail. One of his brothers told the news agency that Younes’ happiness was “boundless” but “incomplete” as his parents died while he was in prison. “His hair and face have changed, but his resilience has increased and multiplied,” he added.
Younes, a member of the Palestinian Fatah organisation, was sentenced to death in 1983 for the kidnapping and murder of an Israeli soldier, Avraham Bromberg. That sentence was eventually commuted to a 40-year prison term. His brother Maher, who was also involved in the murder, is expected to be released from prison in the coming days.
The #Palestinian detainee, Karim Younes has his first meal behind bars after 40 years in jail.
#16thOctoberGroup pic.twitter.com/uhd7Lx8a21
Both Younes and his brother were among the prisoners who were to be released a decade ago as part of a deal brokered by then US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Launching balloons in the colors of the Palestinian flag in the sky over the town of Ara Arara, to celebrate the release of prisoner Karim Younes pic.twitter.com/e8ErM1VWpD
However, those negotiations failed and Younes remained in prison until this morning, when prison services released him in the town of Ra’anana. Younes’ family members were not informed of his release in order to avoid crowds and celebrations outside the prison. According to i24News, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir banned celebrations following Younes’ release on the grounds that such events represent “support for terrorism”.
The Israeli media outlet also notes that Interior Minister Aryeh Deri called for Younes’ Israeli citizenship to be revoked. “It is unthinkable that these people should continue to hold Israeli citizenship. Revoking citizenship will send an important message to those who consider the perpetrators of terrorist acts as a symbol,” Deri said.
Karim Yunes, one of the murderers of Avraham Bromberg, is being released from prison, after serving a 40-year sentence.
The following attachments capture the preparations made for the reception of Karim Younes this evening, in the village of Aara in where he lives. pic.twitter.com/vBipCcwQdf
Relatives of the soldier killed by Younes have also spoken out. Avi Bromberg’s sister, Adah, told the Israel Hayom newspaper that it was “unthinkable that these people would walk among us, laugh and have fun”.
کریم یونس هغه فلسطینی دی چې د یو اسرائیلي سرتیري د اختطاف په تور د ۴۰ کلونو لپاره بندي شوی و. هغه د زندان څخه خلاصېدو سره د کورنۍ ، ملګرو او ګڼو فلسطینیانو له تود هرکلي سره مخ شو.#voasocial #voapashto #voaafghanistan #Palestine #Isreal #Karim_Younes pic.twitter.com/vaIQcOctdR
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has welcomed the release of Younes, describing him as “a symbol of the Palestinian people and the free people of the world”, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Abbas stressed that the prisoners “are the cause of the entire Palestinian people” and “the highest priority”, assuring that the Palestinian leadership “will do everything possible to free them” from Israeli detention centres. 
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