Israel Frees Five Palestinians, Holds Thousands More Without Charge
Al Jazeera breathlessly reports 'joy in Gaza' as five Palestinians are 'freed' by Israel, painting a picture of benign release. What this framing gracefully omits is that these five are part of roughly 9,000 Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel as of late 2023, many under administrative detention—meaning indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial. Human rights groups like B'Tselem
have extensively documented this system, where Israeli military courts boast a conviction rate north of 99%, and children as young as 12 are routinely detained and prosecuted. So, while five return, the machinery grinds on, snatching up more, ensuring a ready supply for future 'joyful' releases. Think of it as a revolving door, except Palestinians are only allowed out a handful at a time, while
thousands are perpetually spun inside. A peculiar form of generosity, don't you think, to release a few after having disappeared so many?