Family celebrates return of freed Palestinian prisoner Marah Bakeer: Analysis

In a Qatar-mediated deal, 39 Palestinian women and children were released from Israeli prisons in exchange for 13 Hamas captives. Among the released prisoners was 24-year-old Marah Bakeer, who had spent eight years in Israeli prison. Bakeer was arrested in 2015 for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli officer, a claim she and her family deny. She was shot multiple times during her arrest and sentenced to eight years and six months in prison. Throughout her imprisonment, Bakeer became a political figure, representing female and minor Palestinian prisoners.

While in prison, Bakeer faced difficulties but found strength in her faith in God and the support of her family and fellow prisoners. However, she also experienced a particularly challenging period when she was not allowed any communication with other inmates or the outside world during the Hamas attack in October. Bakeer was transferred to Jalame prison and held in solitary confinement. She was informed of her release on Friday morning after being taken out of her cell. Prior to her release, Bakeer’s family was warned against displaying any signs of celebration upon her arrival, and Israeli forces stationed soldiers in front of their home to prevent gatherings.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club NGO reported that 33 prisoners were released in the West Bank and six in Jerusalem. The Israeli government imposed conditions on the released prisoners and their families, prohibiting them from speaking to the press, receiving guests at home, or distributing sweets in celebration. Violators could face fines of about 70,000 shekels ($18,740), according to the NGO.

Bakeer expressed her happiness at being released but felt devastation over the ongoing violence in Gaza. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which began on October 7, has resulted in over 14,800 deaths, while the official death toll from Hamas attacks in Israel is approximately 1,200.

Analysis:
In terms of sources, the article does not provide direct attribution to any named individuals, relying instead on general statements from Palestinian Prisoners’ Club NGO and the Bakeer family. This lack of specified sources may raise questions about the credibility and verification of the information presented. The article also includes a link to a Qatar-mediated deal, which could serve as a source for further information.

The facts presented in the article about Marah Bakeer’s release from prison and her background are straightforward and do not appear to contain explicit bias. However, the article does not provide any response or comment from Israeli authorities or sources, which limits the overall balance and perspective presented.

One potential bias in the article is seen in the emphasis on the Palestinian perspective and the portrayal of Israeli forces negatively. The article does not explore or present the Israeli claims regarding Bakeer’s arrest or the conditions for release. Additionally, the article uses emotive language, such as “tears of joy” and “look of utter disbelief” when discussing the reunion of Bakeer and her family, which could influence readers’ emotions and perception of the events.

The political landscape and prevalence of fake news can influence the public’s perception of the information in various ways. When presented with one-sided or limited perspectives, readers may form biased views and perceive the information as incomplete or untrustworthy. In this case, the absence of Israeli sources or perspectives may contribute to a potential biased narrative. The article’s focus on the emotional aspects of Bakeer’s release and the portrayal of Israeli forces as oppressors may also shape readers’ understanding and opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is crucial for readers to seek out diverse sources and perspectives to develop a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Source: Aljazeera news: Family celebrates return of freed Palestinian prisoner Marah Bakeer