Freed Palestinian prisoner Majd Barbar issued a video message to his supporters and friends in Palestine around the world who have amplified the call for his freedom and shared his reunion with his family. Barbar was released from Israeli jails after 20 years of imprisonment on Monday, 29 March, and the images of his and his family’s celebration was shared broadly. Palestinians and friends of Palestine joined in the joy of Majd, his wife Fatima, their son Montasser and their daughter Zeina upon his release.
On 30 March, Israeli occupation forces once again invaded his home, attacking his family and friends with tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets — injuring 12 — and abducting Majd Barbar once again to the al-Moskobiyeh interrogation center. As he was taken away, he declared: “We will not be defeated.” Barbar was again freed on Wednesday, 31 March, having rejected Israeli conditions that he be subjected to house arrest or exiled from his home in Jerusalem for five days.
He issued a video message to his supporters and friends:
“Salutes to all of you from the Arab homeland, Palestine. My beloved family, friends, people, I thank you for your brave stand with me, which, if it reflects anything, it only reflects your genuine commitment, to this beloved homeland, Palestine, to its land, to its sky, to its water, its soli, and its air.
Yes, our Palestine will remain ours, as it has been for thousands of years. We are remaining on this land, like the roots of the olive trees.
Also, I want to say, in simple words, that the conditions the occupation attempted to impose upon me in relation to the house arrest have fallen for the second time. I will not accept any conditions upon my movement.
I am willing to remain in prison, I prefer prison than to be in my house and my movement is chained.
Thank you again and we are inevitably victorious.”
No matter what the Israeli occupation forces do, they cannot and will not suppress the deep Palestinian and human love, joy, and commitment to liberation embodied by Majd Barbar, his family, and all Palestinians yearning for and struggling for freedom.
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network joins in the celebration of the release of Majd Barbar and demands the release of all Palestinian prisoners. Once again, it is clear that steadfastness can win victories.
The outrageous attack on a freed Palestinian prisoner one day after his release was an act of official colonial state revenge for the joy, love and celebration of his family, friends and comrades, must inspire all who support the rights of the Palestinian people to action. Boycott Israel and the complicit corporations that continue to sustain such attacks, and stand with the Palestinian people and their resistance until return and liberation, from the river to the sea.
Whatever they do — Palestine will not be defeated; Palestine will be victorious!
