Palestinian Prisoners Day: Free Walid Daqqa
The New ArabApr 17, 2023
On Wednesday, an Israeli court postponed the parole decision for Palestinian writer and activist Walid Daqqa to May 31; Daqqa was transferred to a Tel Aviv hospital on Monday to receive treatment for advanced-stage bone marrow cancer.
In 1986, Daqqa, an Israeli citizen, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder of soldier Moshe Tamam, though this was later shortened to 37 years. In 2017, he was sentenced to a further two years for smuggling cell phones into prison.
By preventing the release of a man in such poor health, the Israeli government is essentially trying to assassinate an enemy of the state. Daqqa has served his sentence, and it is time for him to be released and receive adequate treatment. This is not the first time Israel has weaponized the prison system to kill activists, and Daqqa's death will be another stain on the occupying nation.
Daqqa is an unrepentant terrorist who ordered the torture and murder of an Israeli soldier and should never again be a free man. The fallen soldier's family may soon come face-to-face with the killer on the streets, as the brazen Daqqa enjoys fame and support while fomenting anti-Israel sentiment behind bars. The hearing was delayed out of respect for the family, as the nation he hates so much provides him with intensive medical care.
There's a 40% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.