On the 29th of December 2011 Zakaria Zubeidi was informed by Palestinian Authority (PA) security that the Israeli security had revoked Zubeidi’s amnesty. The amnesty agreement, granted in 2007, was in return for Zubeidi’s ending of armed resistance.
This meant that Zubeidi was a potential target for the Israeli army. Consequently Zubeidi had no choice but to relinquish his freedom of movement by confining himself to the PA headquarters in Jenin.
An international campaign was launched demanding that Israel either reinstate Zubeidi’s amnesty or put forth any accusations they had against him. The campaign was endorsed by among others renowned human rights activist Bianca Jagger. Statements by PA officials testify to thousands of people around the world joining the campaign and contacted persons responsible for Zubeidi’s confinement and revoking of the amnesty.
After spending twelve days in confinement, Zubeidi could return to his family on the 10th of January. He was informed that his amnesty had been reinstated, however it is an amnesty with restrictions. Zubeidi can only move within the area of Jenin. It is also obvious from recent events that the Israeli authorities reserve the right to revoke Zubeidi’s amnesty at any time and thus put his life at risk.
– I want to thank all the people who helped me during this difficult time. I did nothing wrong, or broke the terms of the amnesty agreement. I still don’t know why they revoked it. After the twelve days in prison they released me but not into a full amnesty, and I’m still afraid that it may be revoked again. I am awaiting a full amnesty to allow me to move freely. I believe in the cultural struggle and I believe in the work of The Freedom Theatre. This is the way the Palestinian people can achieve their freedom, says Zakaria Zubeidi.
The phone calls from concerned friends all over the world had a big impact. The Freedom Theatre aims to continue this campaign in order to secure Zubeidi’s full amnesty.
For further information:
Zakaria Zubeidi: +972 (0)59 935 85 06
Jonatan Stanczak, Administrative Manager