Ahmad Manasra, now free. A Broken Childhood

Whenever I see Ahmad’s face, I am about to cry, literally. Something in his face makes me feel enormous pity, a broken face. I hear that he is finally released.

Who is Ahmad Manasra?

Ahmad Manasra is a Palestinian who was arrested in 2015 at the age of 13 for his involvement in the Pisgat Ze’ev stabbings in East Jerusalem. He was accused of participating in the attack alongside his cousin, Hassan Manasra, who was 15 years old and was fatally shot by Israeli forces during the incident. Ahmad was run over by a car and severely injured while trying to escape. Despite not being directly involved in the stabbings, Ahmad was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 9.5 years in prison after an initial sentence of 12 years was reduced on appeal[1][2][3].

Was He Mistakenly Arrested?

The question of whether Ahmad Manasra was mistakenly arrested is complex. He was not directly involved in the stabbings, as acknowledged by the courts, but was still convicted due to his presence at the scene[1][2]. The case has been widely criticized by human rights organizations for the harsh treatment and conditions he faced, including prolonged solitary confinement, which led to significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia[1][4][7]. Despite international calls for his early release due to his age and deteriorating mental health, his requests were repeatedly denied[2][4][7].

Manasra’s arrest and subsequent treatment have been highlighted as emblematic of broader systemic issues within the Israeli military justice system, particularly concerning the treatment of Palestinian minors[1][7]. Therefore, while the legal basis for his arrest was his involvement in the incident, the handling of his case has been criticized for violating international human rights standards[1][7].

Citations:

1. Ahmad Manasra – Wikipedia​

2. Explained: Who is Ahmad Manasra, the Palestinian child prisoner released after 10 years?​

3. Palestinian who took part in Jerusalem stabbing rampage at age 13 freed from prison​

4. Palestinian who stabbed two at age 13 is freed, said to have developed schizophrenia​

5. Israel releases Palestinian who took part in attack at 13 and developed mental illness in prison​AP News

6. Israel releases Palestinian youth Ahmed Mansara who developed schizophrenia in prison after being arrested at age of 13​

7. Israel/OPT: Ahmad Manasra’s release from prison long overdue after decade of injustice and abuse​

8. Palestinian Ahmad Manasra released from Israeli prison after nine years​

9. Ahmad Manasra: Palestinian who stabbed two at age 13 is freed​

10. Ahmad Manasra release: Palestinian who stabbed two at age 13 is freed​

11. Detained at just 13, Ahmad Manasra free after 10 years in Israel’s jails​

12. Israel releases Ahmad Manasra, arrested at 13, after nearly a decade in prison​

13. Ahmed Manasra free after near decade of Israeli detention​

14. Israel/OPT: Long overdue release of Ahmad Manasra marks the start of a long and difficult path to recovery​

15. Free Ahmad Manasra, Palestinian young man imprisoned since age 13​

16. Israel/OPT: After nearly 2 years in solitary confinement, Ahmad Manasra too ill to attend his hearing​

17. UN experts urge Israel to free Ahmad Manasra​

18. Rights Groups Charge Mistreatment of Palestinian Minors Detained by Israel​

19. Israel/OPT: Palestinian prisoner arrested as a child, Ahmad Manasra, still in prison despite worsening mental health​

20. Pisgat Ze’ev stabbings – Wikipedia​

21. Ahmad Manasra’s release from prison long overdue after decade of injustice and abuse​

22. Israel/OPT: Long overdue release of Ahmad Manasra marks the start of a long and difficult path to recovery​

23. Free Ahmad Manasra, Palestinian young man imprisoned since age 13​

24. [Israel/OPT: After nearly 2 years in solitary confinement, Ahmad Manasra too ill to attend his hearing](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest