A special parole board in the northern district has ruled that terrorist Yousef Abu el-Hir will be returned to prison to complete serving his life sentence.

Abu Hir was convicted by an IDF military court of serious security crimes including placing a number of explosive devices on railway tracks, at beaches and different venues. In one case, a bomb placed at a home led to the killing of two people and wounding of others. The suspect was convicted on all counts of the indictment against him – sentenced to 15 life sentences plus 20 years plus 10 years.

Back in 1983, he was one of the fortunate terrorists to be released in the infamous Jibril Rajoub prisoner release just 14 years after entering prison. He left Israel the same day and did not return until May 25, 2017. He was immediately arrested and brought before the parole board along with a request to cancel his release immediately, return him to prison to permit him to complete the life sentences.

The state explained that in line with the position of the IDF Chief of Staff, his release was contingent on his leaving the country and by returning, he violated the terms of his release. Hence, he no longer has the right to benefit from the prisoner exchange.

The parole board accepted the state’s position, and he was returned to prison, explaining “he was given the keys to freedom in hand, yet he decided to return them by his actions…”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)