Karim Younis: 40 years in jail don't matter.. we will keep resisting
Upon his release, Karim Younis headed to the town's cemetery to visit his parent's graves, all while projecting high morale despite the injustices of the occupation.
Freed Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis told Al Mayadeen immediately after his release from Israeli occupation prisons, "My mother was the ambassador of all prisoners and she bore responsibilities beyond her capacity."
Speaking from the cemetery in the town of 'Ara, where the freed prisoner headed first, Younis said, "My mother chose to see me from the heavens as a freedom fighter, and my father and mother drew me a road map and inspired me in the journey of resistance."
Karim Younis' mother died last May, after long years of waiting, a few months before her son was released.
"I am speechless, and this is the first day I see the outer world in a long time. The world now is so different from the one I once knew," he added.
Freed Palestinian prisoner #KarimYounis: "I am speechless, and this is the first day I see the outer world in a long time. The world now is so different from the one I once knew."#Palestine #FreeThemAll https://t.co/HCZD8gbX9Q
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 5, 2023
Younis pointed out that "the message of prisoners is twofold, the first of which is a message of gratitude and love for our great people in all parts of Palestine and in the diaspora."
The second, according to him, is "unity, because it is the law of victory and division is the law of destruction."
"My heart goes out to all the prisoners who carry their souls on their shoulders and walk along with death," he said, adding that "forty or fifty years in captivity do not matter... We are all ready to carry on the resistance, and will continue to do so."
Freed Palestinian prisoner #KarimYounis: "40 years or 50 years in captivity do not matter... We are all ready to give everything and continue to do so."#Palestine #FreeThemAll #AlMayadeen https://t.co/StSOESDsDH
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 5, 2023
Younis thanked "the Palestinian people at home and across the diaspora who stood firm and confronted [the enemy] despite all attempts of repression and Judaization," as he put it.
The sister-in-law and niece of freed Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis told Al Mayadeen that "his release seemed like a dream [that came true]."
Freed #Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis' sister-in-law and niece to #AlMayadeen: His liberation seems like a dream.#Palestine #FreeThemAll https://t.co/6VterGfyfX
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 5, 2023
Al Mayadeen correspondent said, "The occupation forces dropped the prisoner Karim Younis off at one of the Ra'anana stations and called his family," adding that "the occupation forces endangered Younis's life when they dropped him off in the town of Ra'anana which is inhabited by settlers."
Our correspondent added that upon his release, Karim headed to the town's cemetery to visit his parent's graves, noting that "the former prisoners' morale is high despite the injustices of the occupation."
#AlMayadeen correspondent from the town of 'Ara: "The Israeli occupation put the life of free prisoner #KarimYounis in danger when they let him off in 'Ra'anana' inhabited by Israeli settlers."#Palestine #FreeThemAll https://t.co/tIS8ZAF0dp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 5, 2023
Our correspondent further added that "the occupation had imposed strict measures on the family of the released to prevent them from holding celebrations" and that "the family of freed Karim Younis is setting up a tent to celebrate his liberation."
"People are flocking to the reception tent despite threats and warnings from the occupation," she said.
It is worth noting that Israeli media reported that Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke with the Israeli police commissioner yesterday and directed him to prevent any festive ceremonies celebrating the liberation of Karim Younis.
The Ministry of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners stated that the Israeli occupation insisted on killing any signs of joy by releasing Karim Younis at a very early time in "Ra'nana", far from his hometown and place of birth, the town of 'Ara.
Karim Younis snatched his freedom today after spending forty years in captivity.
Yesterday, the occupation's police stormed the house of ex-prisoner Karim Younis in the town of 'Ara, inside the '48 occupied Palestinian territories, and seized Palestinian flags.
A 40-year-old dream that was never fulfilled.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 5, 2022
Mother of #Palestinian prisoner Karim Younes hoped to embrace her son one last time outside of occupation prisons, but passed away before getting the chance.
Her son will be released in a few months following 40 years of imprisonment. pic.twitter.com/JXJjdzo8a1
Read more: After 40 years in Israeli occupation prisons, Karim Younis is free