Mahmoud was detained in prison for five months – two months in Ofer prison and three in Ramon prison.   He was brought to Meitar Checkpoint today despite the fact that he was supposed to be released tomorrow,   We learned that he was to be released at 11:00 and immediately set out to meet him. 

We arrived together with the busload of prisoners, which stopped on the Israeli side of the checkpoint.   Mahmoud was the second person to get off  and looked confused and blinded by the bright sunlight.   He stood next to the bus together with three other prisoners surrounded by three armed soldiers from Nachshon.   They did not know what to do.     They asked the prison guards what to do and where their belongings were but were given no answer – only threatening glances.  We attempted to ask   I attempted to ask the guards but they shouted at me not to approach.  Finally they took out several torn bags with the prisoners’ possessions.   Our meeting with the prisoners was very emotional and Mahmoud then continued with his comrades to the checkpoint.   We crossed to the Palestinian side and they emerged several minutes later. 

Mahmoud looked as if he had lost a lot of weight and his clothes were hanging off him.   He talked about extreme hunger in prison.  Every three days they received a bit of rice, a cup of chick peas for 12 people – three chickpeas each, and no coffee or tea, sugar, salt, or cigarettes.  He had not yet eaten today.  He devoured the chocolate bar that I had brought.  He was suffering from a severe backache.  He had slept on a concrete floor without a mattress.   His hands and feet were shackled and he had never suffered from backaches before. 

Mahnoud explained that there were two prisoners on the bus with him who were supposed to be released after serving 20-year sentences.    They were told that they were not being released when they reached the checkpoint despite the fact that they had served their time.   I learned from the media that after prisoners serve their entire sentence they are also given an additional administrative sentences at random with no trial.  Their attorney does not know why. 

Mahmoud’s parents left the valley immediately when they learned that he was being released, but because of the checkpoints and delays along the way they arrived two hours after we did.   I cannot describe their excitement.  They arrived in holiday clothing as if they were attending their son’s wedding.  They cried and hugged Mahmoud, Nurit, and I and then hugged Mahnoud again.  

From there they returned home and Nurit and I returned to Tel Aviv.  On the way back we saw a lot of villages that were blocked and there was no road open for people to reach their fields or orchards.   The Palestinians are being held prisoner in their villages and towns without any trial or date for being released.  Route 60, which is usually filled with Palestinian cars, was completely empty.  The villages are surrounded by walls and barbed wire like concentration camps.     

We saw an army concrete barrier on the side of the road on which someone had written “Destroy Gaza.”  Is Mahmoud the instigator here?