Speaker of Palestinian Parliament, Aziz Al-Duwaik Freed from Prison Three Years After Abduction by Israeli Occupation Forces

PLC Speaker Aziz Duwaik freed from Israeli prison

Date: 23 / 06 / 2009 Time: 14:01
Tulkarem – Ma’an –

Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) speaker Dr Aziz Al-Duwaik was released from Israeli prison Tuesday morning and arrived at the Al-Tayba military checkpoint in the afternoon following three years of detention.

(Al-Duwaik was abducted by Israeli occupation forces from his home, together with many Hamas-party members of Palestinian parliament about three years ago, part of the Israeli policy of stopping the Hamas rule by force).

Duwaik was received by a large delegation of political supporters from both Fat'h and Hamas including Palestinian lawmaker and Minister of Prisoners Affairs in the caretaker government Issa Qaraqa’a and the governor of Tulkarem Talal Duwaikat. They were joined by Hamas leaders Omar Abdul-Raziq, Mahmoud Al-Ramahi, Fat'hi Qara’awi, and Abdul-Rahman Zeidan who gathered to receive the PLC speaker.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas telephoned Al-Duwaik as he arrived at the checkpoint to congratulate him on his release. The call was followed by a second congratulatory call from Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Al-Dwaik delivered a short speech to the assembled leaders, saying he had a “pleasant surprise for the Palestinian people” which he would announce at the gate of the PLC in Ramallah. Al-Duwaik is a celebrated political figure in all party ranks, and is seen as a unifying force within Palestinian politics.

Al-Duwaik, a Hamas member, was due to be released on 6 August at the end of a three year sentence, according to a court decision handed down last week. Hwail, a Fat'h member, finished his jail term on 20 June.

Faris said that the Israeli occupation forces court in the illegal settlement of Ofer, near Ramallah, issued the decision to release the two on Tuesday.

He also called for the release of all of the PLC lawmakers still held by Israel.

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