Palestinian Prisoner Release Radicalizes Eastern Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 4 December, 2023 (TPS) -- Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners during a recent temporary ceasefire has sparked rising popularity for the Hamas terror organization in eastern Jerusalem.

Of the 210 Palestinian security prisoners freed from Nov. 24-Dec. 1 — all women and minors — 90 were from eastern Jerusalem. They were released as part of a deal which led to the release of 81 Israeli hostages and 24 foreign nationals, mostly Thai.

Activists in eastern Jerusalem told the Tazpit Press, “The release of the east Jerusalem prisoners intensifies the feelings of sacrifice between the residents of the East of the city and the residents of the Gaza Strip and identification with the war in Gaza that freed the Jerusalem prisoners.”

Said one activist, “Now it’s Jerusalem’s turn to stand by the Gazans who freed its prisoners.”

In a number of houses throughout the city there were expressions of joy at the release of the male and female prisoners. In many homes they expressed their support and identification with Hamas and Gaza. Many also feel that Hamas’s atrocities on Oct. 7 were justified.

Many celebrations took place in secret due to the ban imposed by the police. But in neighborhoods such as Beit Hanina and Jebel Mukaber, young people shot fireworks into the air, distributed sweets and hung posters of male and female terrorists. The houses of the freed terrorists became pilgrimage centers.

One activist told TPS said a terror attack in Jerusalem carried out by two brothers from the Sur Baher neighborhood “reflects the increasingly extremist views in the east of the city.”

Murad Nemer and his brother, Ibrahim, killed three Israelis at a bus stop during Thursday morning rush hour. The brothers were killed by responding soldiers and an armed civilian. In an apparent case of mistaken identity, the civilian was killed by one of the soldiers who is now under arrest.

To keep public order, Israeli police banned prayers on the Temple Mount and placed road barriers in certain neighborhoods in the south and east of the city. Residents told TPS they feel the measures are because Israel is “trying to take revenge on them in order to clean up its disgraceful failure in the Gaza Strip.”

At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7. Hamas still holds 137 hostages. Some people remain unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue search for and identify remains.