After spending 44 years in Israeli prisons, Palestinian detainee Nayel Barghouti, who was the longest-serving prisoner in Israel, has sent his wife a new wedding ring, marking a gesture of love after years of separation.
Nayel Barghouti, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1978 at the age of 19 for the murder of an Israeli bus driver. After more than four decades behind bars, Barghouti, now 67 years old, was released on February 27 this year, but under strict conditions. Instead of returning to his home in the occupied West Bank, Israeli authorities have exiled him to Egypt, citing the terms of a Gaza ceasefire agreement that mandates the permanent exile of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis.
Barghouti, known as the “Dean” of Palestinian prisoners due to his lengthy incarceration, was previously released in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap involving Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. However, in 2014, he was arrested again for violating the terms of his release. He had married his wife, Iman Nafi, during his brief period of freedom before his re-arrest.
Despite being separated by borders, Barghouti sent his wife a new wedding ring, engraved with both their names, symbolizing their enduring love. Iman Nafi, 60, expressed her emotional response upon receiving the ring, saying, “The ring he gave me at our wedding was taken away in prison. Just knowing that Nayel is still alive is enough for me. This new ring is a symbol of our everlasting love.”
Iman had hoped to visit her husband in Egypt but was also prevented from leaving the West Bank by Israeli forces. She shared that upon hearing of her husband’s exile to Egypt, she decided to travel there, only to be blocked by Israeli authorities halfway through her journey.
Liberty News’ international correspondent states that this heartfelt exchange underscores the complex and painful realities faced by families of prisoners and reflects the enduring bond between Nayel Barghouti and his wife, despite the years of separation and hardship.
LND/BG
