Perhaps the most wellknown name on the list of 39 Palestinian prisoners and detainees released from an Israeli jail early Sunday was Israa Jaabees, who was accused of attempted murder by Israel and had been in jail since 2015. She was arrested that year after her car exploded at a checkpoint near Jerusalemin the West Bank, leaving her disfigured and an Israeli police officer seriously injured.She claimed that it was an accidental fire, according to an account from Addameer, a prisoners’ rights organisation. The Israeli authorities said it had been an act of terrorism.
Her story was featured in the documentary “Advocate” about the Israeli lawyer who represented her, Lea Tsemel, that was released in 2019 and was shortlisted for an Oscar. Tsemel floated the idea that Jaabees may’ve been depressed and trying to commit what’s known as “suicide by cop”, as per write-ups of the film.
Talal Jaabees, 53, an uncle of Jaabees, 39, said on Saturday that Israeli forces had surrounded the home in East Jerusalem where his extended family had gathered to meet her.
The Israeli police previously said they would not permit “expressions of joy” around the release of Palestinian prisoners. Talal said the family was grateful that Jaabees was freed, but sorrowful that the deal was reached after thousands of Gazans had been killed and injured. “Their release is through bloodshed,” he said.