Arab social media users have noticed the startling physical transformation of prominent Palestinian prisoner Khalida Jarrar, who appears to have aged decades whist in Israeli custody.
Jarrar, 63, was freed as part of the Hamas-Israel prisoner exchange deal, and her startling appearance has sparked renewed focus on the plight of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
Social media platforms have been flooded with images comparing Jarrar’s appearance before and after her imprisonment. The “before” photos depict a strong, determined activist, while the “after” images show her visibly frail, highlighting the inhumane conditions faced by detainees.
Jarrar, a former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, is a senior leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – a secular nationalist organisation and the second-largest faction in the Palestine Liberation Organisation after Fatah.
Her most recent arrest on December 26, 2023 drew sharp condemnation from Palestinian and international activists.
According to her sister, who spoke to Al-Mayadeen T.V., Jarrar spent the last four months in complete isolation. She was held in a small, windowless cell with no ventilation and was denied access to basic needs, including exercise.
Her sister said: “We await seeing Khalida, but we fear for her after the difficult conditions she endured over the past months. The small cell where she was held had no ventilation, and she was denied access to exercise.”
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Reports also reveal that Jarrar’s health deteriorated during her imprisonment, particularly as she was denied access to her glasses, leaving her visually impaired. These harsh conditions have reignited discussions on the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centres.
Jarrar’s decades-long activism has focused on defending the rights of Palestinian prisoners and advocating for justice. In 2015, she was sentenced to 15 months in prison on charges of incitement and PFLP membership.
However, much of her detention has been under administrative detention, a controversial policy allowing imprisonment without formal charges or trial. Human rights organisations have consistently criticised this practice, labelling it a violation of international law and a tool for suppressing Palestinian activism.
Beyond her political career, Jarrar has been a prominent figure in human rights advocacy. She has held leadership roles in Addameer, a Palestinian prisoners’ support group. Through her work, she has documented abuses, supported detainees, and campaigned for their rights on international platforms.
Jarrar’s commitment to justice has made her a target of repeated arrests and harassment by Israeli authorities. Despite the severe restrictions on her movement, including long-term travel bans imposed since the 1990s, she has remained steadfast in advocating for Palestinian rights.
Her participation in international conferences and forums has brought attention to the plight of Palestinian prisoners and the broader struggle against occupation.
Palestinian prisoners
As per recent reports, the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody has significantly increased, especially since the events of October 7, 2023.
Estimates suggest that over 10,000 Palestinians are currently in detention, with a notable number held under administrative detention, which allows for imprisonment without charge or trial based on secret evidence.
Conditions in these jails have been described as deteriorating, with reports of overcrowding, lack of basic hygiene, and instances of physical abuse. Detainees, including children, have faced severe conditions, with some testimonies recounting torture, humiliation and medical negligence.
Many Palestinians are held on charges related to security, including acts like stone-throwing or affiliation with groups considered illegal by Israeli authorities.
The legal framework for Palestinians in the occupied territories differs from that for Israeli citizens, with Palestinians tried in military courts characterised by high conviction rates and limited due process.
Human rights groups have highlighted numerous violations, including the lack of access to legal representation, family visits and basic amenities. There have been reports of deaths in custody due to torture or medical negligence.
Various international bodies and human rights organisations have condemned Israel’s practices regarding Palestinian detainees, calling for adherence to international law, particularly in relation to administrative detention and the treatment of prisoners.
