Jubilation following release of longest-serving female Palestinian prisoner raises ire
Lena Jarbouni, who was convicted of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks, was released after more than a decade in prison to be met with celebrations in Arraba; the right-wing National Union party demands an investigation against the town's mayor.
Right-wing activists appealed to Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit on Tuesday to investigate the mayor of the village of Arraba in the Galilee for abetting terrorism as well as receive clarifications and explanations for state funds that according to them were divested to "a show of support for the terrorist."
The letter, which was sent from the National Union party, was also sent to Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri.
In the letter, the party demanded an investigation against the town's mayor, Ali Asala, on the grounds that they had "participated in funding a release party" for the longest-serving female security prisoner, Lena Jarbouni, a few days ago.
The letter was sent by Ophir Sofer, the secretary general of the National Union, on behalf of the entire party, under the title "An immediate investigation into the funding of a celebration of support for terrorism."
The letter read that "in honor of Jarbouni's release, the Arraba Council held a big celebration in cooperation with the Knesset members from the Joint List, with posters of support and words of encouragement to the terrorists still incarcerated."
"I am calling upon you to urgently open a criminal investigation against the mayor and to examine the extent of the funding that came from the municipality and, of course, from the taxpayers' money," the letter said. "In addition, I implore you to order the Israel Police to enter the town and remove the flags and signs that encourage terrorism."
Jarbouni, a resident of Arraba, was convicted in 2004 of contact with Islamic Jihad activists and conspiracy to carry out attacks and of assisting the enemy during war.
Jarbouni, who was 29 at the time and was sentenced to 17 years in prison, was convicted of continuing contact with members of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin, especially with the head of the Jihad in the city, Thabit Mardawi, who committed murders against Israeli civilians and had been sentenced a few months prior to 21 life sentences.
Jarbouni met with Mardawi while she was aware of his goals and the goals of his organization. In her indictment, the judges noted that she provided Israeli ID cards to the terrorists, rented an apartment for them in Israel, placed bank accounts at their disposal, conspired with terrorists to carry out attacks and gave them information, while covering for dangerous murderers.
During her trial, she expressed regret over her actions, but stressed that her connections with her operators were innocent.
Sofer explained that "the National Union party will act to ensure that all those involved in supporting terrorism will be punished and, if necessary, toughen the sanctions for supporting terrorism via Knesset legislation."
Arraba's mayor Asala said in response: "I haven't been summoned to any investigation. As soon as there is something I will answer all questions."
A few days ago, hundreds of people welcomed Jarbouni. A resident of the village said that "Lena is a heroic woman; we all support her. We will not allow the racists to hurt her. We are proud of her. Unfortunately, there are racists in the country who are only looking to find ways to harm her and the people who participated in the festivities. The celebrations will continue, and the racists' actions, will not."
MK Osama Saadi, a resident of Arraba himself, said in response: "This is a baseless complaint by delusional elements whose only purpose is to incite against the Arab public and its leadership. The conference was initiated by the Arab Israeli Monitoring Committee and the Public Committee and the Arraba Council on the occasion of the release of one of the town's residents after 15 years in prison. It should also be noted as a conference in support of the hunger strikers' struggle, which is a just struggle for proper living conditions in prison and the return of basic human rights that the prisoners were deprived of.
"The entire Palestinian people supports this just struggle, and is not deterred by the threats of the delusional right. We will continue to struggle for the end of the occupation and for a just peace between the two peoples, and the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel within the 1967 borders."
(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
