Speaking to the Gaza-based radio station Sawt Al-Asra, Lina Al-Jarbouni said she her happiness was “mixed with grief” for the thousands of other Palestinians still imprisoned by Israel, and urged all prisoners, both men and women, to support a mass hunger strike scheduled to start tomorrow, Palestinian Prisoners’ Day.

A group of friends and family awaited Al-Jarbouni outside of Hasharon Prison for the emotional reunion. Arab members of the Knesset were also present to welcome her home.

“Prisoners suffer from the actions of occupation forces everyday,” she told Quds Press. Adding that the issue of prisoners should be made a priority for all factions.

Israel’s laws specifically target Palestinian prisoners

Born on 11 January 1974, Al-Jarbouni was arrested on 18 April 2002 on charges of being a member of the Islamic Jihad movement and assisting in carrying out attacks. She was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

There are currently 52 female prisoners held in Israeli jails including 13 minors.