Former detainee, specialist in Detainees’ Affairs, Abdul-Nasser Farawna, stated that detainee Sidqi Al Maqt, from the Golan heights, is hoping a prisoner-swap deal would free him after 25 years in captivity and oppression in Israeli prisons. Farawna added that Al Maqt, the Arab Syrian detainee, and all detainees who spent many years in Israeli prisons, are looking forwards to be released despite the Israeli preconditions.
He said that what increases the hope of Al Maqt that he would be released is the steadfastness of the Palestinian factions, holding the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, and their demand that Israel must release all detainees mentioned in their list.
This includes Arabs and Palestinians detainees who spent many years behind bars and those sentenced to high terms. The name of Al Maqt was among the names Hamas demands to be freed.
Farawna called on the fighters holding Shalit captive to remain steadfast on including the names of Arab detainees as part of any prisoner-swap deal, so that Al Maqt can return home and enjoy freedom after a quarter of a century in Israeli prisons.
“The issue of the detainees is an issue of equality, it is not based on political affiliation, or country of origin”, Farawna said, “This issue is not based on geographical location, religion or sect”.
Al Maqt, 42, is the brother of Bihir A Maqt who was released last October after spending 25 years in Israeli prisons.
He was born in Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights, and is considered one of the founders of the Secret Resistance Movement in the Golan Heights in the early eighties. He was arrested on August 23, 1985, and was sentenced to 27 years.
