Israel released the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis, who spent 40 years in Israeli prisons.
Younis was released on the roadside of a Jewish town without any means of communication, but he finally arrived in his hometown, where a grand reception and celebration were held for him.
“I got out of prison and left behind my heart with my comrades in captivity,” Younis told the crowd gathering in the Palestinian village of Ara within Israel.
Israeli police authorities and the Israel Prison Service held a meeting on the eve of Younis’ release at the office of the Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
At the meeting, it was decided that Younis should not be released at the penitentiary’s main gate but must instead be dropped off at a location that turned out to be a bus station in Ranana, a town north of Tel Aviv.
According to one of the relatives, after being dropped off at the station, Younis met by chance with Palestinian workers from the West Bank who helped him reach out to his relatives.
Younis was eventually picked up by a relative and brought to his hometown of Ara, where he was celebrated as a hero.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Rawhi Fattouh, the Fatah movement, and the rest of the factions congratulated Younis on his freedom.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Younis “represents a symbol of the Palestinian people and the free people of the world in steadfastness.”
The Israeli government had prevented his release for 40 years, despite the conclusion of 18 prisoner exchange deals.
Moreover, authorities examined legal means that would allow them to exile Younis or put him under administrative detention. Eventually, they decided to refer to the attorney general justice to strip him of his Israeli citizenship.
Younis, however, openly said he won’t be trying to get his hands on an Israeli passport which he said was the “world’s worst travel document.”
“Anyone with an Israeli passport is faced with hatred from anyone who considers themselves free,” he said.
