In Memory of Walid Daqqa

“I write until I am freed from prison, with the hope of freeing the prison from me.” These were the words of Walid Daqqa in the preface of his book “The Oil’s Secret Tale.” Yesterday marked the unfortunate death of Walid Daqqa, who has been a prisoner in the Israeli detention centers since 1986, when he was arrested for killing an Israeli soldier. Daqqa was a Palestinian activist and novelist from Baqa al-Gharbiyye, who served 38 years in prison, and had been bravely battling cancer. He was a very famous prisoner who spent one of the longest sentences in prison. Behind bars, he obtained a degree in Political Science, and wrote many books like “The Oil’s Secret Tale”, and “The Melting of Consciousness”. In 1999, he welcomed a daughter named Milad, by smuggling his sperm out of prison, which was an act of defiance and resistance in the face of the Israeli occupation.  

“A year later Daqqa was diagnosed with myelofibrosis – a rare form of bone marrow cancer that disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells. Rights groups began pressuring Israel to release him on medical grounds.”[1] The Israeli occupation denied Daqqa the treatment he needed countless times and was accused of mistreating and torturing Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention cells. More than 10 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli prisons since October 7, which begs the question, was all of this premeditated by the Israeli occupation? Prisoners have been suffering in Israeli prisons since the events started, denied food, water, and medicine. This underscores the possibility that Daqqa's passing could be attributed to neglect and mistreatment. Numerous accounts have highlighted the harsh conditions endured by prisoners in Israeli detention facilities, a topic on which TRC has consistently raised awareness.

The suffering of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons is a poignant reflection of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. These prisoners endure harsh conditions, including overcrowded cells, inadequate medical care, and solitary confinement. Many are subjected to torture, interrogation, and psychological abuse during their detention. The denial of basic rights, such as a fair trial and family visits, further exacerbates their plight. Despite international condemnation, the plight of Palestinian prisoners remains a stark reminder of the deep-rooted tensions and injustices that persist in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

The ill-fated death of Walid Daqqa is a tragic testament to the systemic injustices and human rights violations rampant within the Israeli occupation prisons. Such incidents highlight the callous disregard for the dignity and well-being of Palestinian detainees. Whether due to negligence, abuse, or outright brutality, these deaths demand accountability and justice.