Israel is freeing an Egyptian who is the longest-serving Arab prisoner in an Israeli jail. President Ezer Weizman decided to commute the sentence of Mohammed Sawarka, who served 22 years in jail for planting a mine that killed an Israeli soldier. Weizman, who recently commuted the sentences of five Israeli Arab prisoners in honor of Israel’s 50th birthday, also met with representatives of 40 other Israeli Arab prisoners seeking freedom.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
