Tragedy has followed tragedy and she copes heroically with all of them, at least outwardly; she is behind bars for the fifth time in her life and the fourth time since 2015. The fact that, other than in one case, she has never actually been convicted of anything (and even that sole conviction was for a political offense, “membership in an illegal association,” and not for committing acts of terrorism or violence), without Israel ever having presented the slightest bit of evidence against her at a trial — this should shock every person in Israel or abroad who believes in democracy. Five times Haaretz has called for her release in editorials, but in vain.
Jarrar, who opposes the regime, the regime of occupation, is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Assembly, which is not functioning at present, a fact that should accord her parliamentary immunity. She is a prisoner of conscience in Israel. When we talk about prisoners of conscience in Myanmar, in Russia, in Iran or in Syria, we also must not forget Jarrar. When we talk about Israel as a democracy, it’s our obligation to remember Jarrar.
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