Israel Occupation Continues to Reject Early Release of Oldest Palestinian Prisoner Fouad Al-Shobaki

The so-called Israeli “Third-Term Court”on Tuesday rejected an appeal to release the oldest Palestinian prisoner, Fouad Al- Shobaki, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison, of which eight months remain.

In 2006, Israeli forces stormed the Jericho prison and kidnapped Al-Shobaki, along with a number of Palestinian prisoners including the Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmed Saadat, and  a group of Palestinians accused of killing Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi.

Al-Shobaki who then faced a trial in an Israeli military court over for his role in the failed attempt to smuggle the Karen A weapons ship. He was eventually sentenced to 20 years in jail, later decreased to 17.

Al-Shobaki, from the Gaza Strip, is the eldest Palestinian political prisoner in Israeli detention, and was detained in 2006 and sentenced for 20 years in prison for his role in the failed attempt to smuggle the Karen A weapons ship from Iran into the Gaza Strip in 2002.

Speaking to us, Shobaki’s son said that the family expected the Israeli decision to refuse his early release, noting that it was refused twice previously. However, he expressed shock over the Israeli justification claiming that his elderly father is still posing a threat and a danger to the Israeli security of Israel?!

Despite the age and health conditions of Al-Shobaki, the Israeli court insists on continuing to keep him in prison.

 Al-Shobaki suffers from prostate cancer, a disease in his eyes and stomach, a heart disease and also from high blood pressure, in addition to breathing problems.

Following its refusal to release Al-Shobaki, the Israeli court proved that it is a tool of revenge from an 80-year-old prisoner who is at risk of death at any moment.

Therefore, we stress the need to release Al-Shobaki and all Palestinian prisoners, especially those suffering different health problems.