Unveiling Khalida Jarrar: The Inspiring Story of the Recently Freed Palestinian Activist
On Sunday, January 21, 2025, Palestinian prisoner Khalida Jarrar was released by Israeli authorities as part of a significant prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas, following the recent Gaza ceasefire deal. The 61-year-old Jarrar, a prominent MP, feminist, and advocate for prisoners’ rights, had been subjected to administrative detention since December 26, 2023, a controversial policy that permits Israeli officials to detain individuals without formal charges or trials.
Throughout her detention, Jarrar faced numerous hardships. Her imprisonment was repeatedly extended, and in August, she was placed in solitary confinement, described by the Palestinian Prisoners Club as a punitive measure. Reports indicate that she spent six months in a cramped cell measuring just 1m by 1.5m at Ayalon (Ramla) prison, a space so limited it barely accommodated a mattress. Human rights organization Addameer highlighted that her basic needs for clothing, hygiene products, food, and water were severely restricted.
Jarrar’s extensive career as a human rights activist has seen her in and out of detention over the past three decades, during which she has suffered personal losses, including the deaths of her father, daughter, and nephew while incarcerated. Her sister, Salam Altratot, shared with Middle East Eye that this latest period of detention was particularly challenging for Jarrar.
A Lifelong Activist
Hailing from Nablus, Khalida Jarrar has established herself as a leading political figure and a staunch advocate for human rights and feminist issues within Palestine. Her passion for activism ignited in her teenage years when she volunteered to clean local communities and schools, defying her family’s belief that such tasks were more appropriate for boys.
Jarrar emerged as a key figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a nationalist and Marxist-Leninist faction that ranks as the second-largest group within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States. In 2006, she was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council, serving as chair of the prisoners’ committee.
Among her many achievements, Jarrar played a crucial role in facilitating Palestine’s accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2015. She has consistently campaigned for the rights of Palestinian prisoners and served as the director of Addameer, a prisoners’ rights organization located in Ramallah, from 1993 to 2005.
Repeated Detention
Due to her persistent activism, Jarrar has repeatedly found herself targeted by Israeli authorities, leading to multiple arrests throughout her career. Her first arrest occurred in March 1989 during a demonstration held in observance of International Women’s Day.
In April 2015, she was again taken into custody under administrative detention without formal charges. Following significant international pressure, an Israeli military court eventually charged her with twelve security-related offenses related to her PFLP membership. Jarrar was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison, along with five years of probation and a fine of $2,600.
Despite her incarceration, Jarrar continued her advocacy work, establishing a school within the prison and teaching English to young female inmates. She was released in June 2016 but was arrested again a year later during a predawn raid on her Ramallah home. Jarrar’s release in September 2021 marked a brief respite before her latest detention.
Throughout her life, Jarrar has also faced long-term travel bans imposed by Israeli authorities, and her husband has experienced over ten detentions himself.
In summary, Khalida Jarrar’s release marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and the fight against administrative detention practices. Her unwavering commitment to activism continues to inspire many within the Palestinian community and beyond.
