An Israeli military court released pregnant Palestinian prisoner Anhar Al-Deek on September 3rd with a $12,500 bail and house arrest following widespread global condemnation.
Al-Deek was released from detention and reunited with her daughter and family after more than 5 months in confinement. On September 9th, and a few days after her release, Al-Deek gave birth to her baby boy, Alaa. According to the mass social campaigns, Al-Deek underwent a C-section without being shackled to a bed, allowing her to receive the necessary medical attention and be surrounded by her family.
Anhar Al-Deek was four months pregnant when she was arrested in March 2021 for allegedly attempting to attack Jewish settlers. While awaiting her trial, she has spent the majority of her pregnancy behind bars away from her daughter and husband. Al-Deek endured beatings, a month-long interrogation, and solitary confinement.
Having reached her 9th month of pregnancy, and with her due date getting closer, Al-Deek managed to send a letter to her family through another female prisoner who had recently been released.
In her letter, and prior to the baby birth, Al-Deek expressed her fear of giving birth in jail under the supervision of the Israeli authorities.
“What shall I do if I give birth while I’m away from you [her family]?” she wrote. “I am handcuffed, and you know how a cesarean operation is difficult outside the prison. How will I go through this experience while I’m in prison and alone?”
Moreover, Al-Deek ended her letter with a call for the international community to intervene and make her release possible before her due date.
“I ask every free and honorable person to do something, even with words,” she stated. “For the sake of this baby who is the responsibility of everyone who can help.”
In response, Palestinian officials, media activists, and international organizations pressured the occupation to respond to Al-Deek’s letter and grant her freedom.
Protests demanding Al-Deek’s urgent release were held in Gaza, the West Bank, in front of the Damon Prison for girls in Haifa, where Al-Deek was incarcerated. Al-Deek’s family, including her husband and 20-month-old daughter Julia, were also among the protesters.
“It is my right to give birth to my child while I am free,” said one of the posters held at the protests.
“Birth pain is the second harshest pain after being burnt alive,” stated another. “So imagine giving Birth within Israeli occupation prisons, under all the injustice, torture, shackles, and concision.”
Globally, people showed their support through Instagram and Twitter, which were filled with illustrations and posts demanding Al-Deek’s release. The hashtag “Save Anhar al-Deek” also trended on Twitter.
Pregnant prisoners face cruel conditions, malnutrition, and improper medical care. Today, Al-Deek is also considered among these victimized women as it was reported that she suffered from bipolar and depression disorders, which could have affected her medical condition while being left in prison without being offered any type of support.