Ahmad Manasra: A decade of injustice and resilience in Israeli detention

Manasra received a 12-year sentence in October 2015, later reduced to nine years, for being with his cousin Hassan Manasra, who allegedly stabbed two Israeli settlers near the illegal Pisgat Ze’ev settlement in occupied East Jerusalem. Following his arrest, a video surfaced in Palestinian media showing Manasra being harshly mistreated during interrogation by Israeli officers.

He was supposed to be released at Nafha prison, where his family awaited him, but instead, he was let go in the Beersheba area of the Negev desert, far from the prison. His lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, explained that Manasra was left in a deserted spot and later met a Palestinian Bedouin who helped him contact his family. "Ahmed is now with his family," Zabarqa added.

The extended imprisonment and tough prison conditions left Manasra with serious physical and mental health issues, including schizophrenia, psychosis, and depression. His violent arrest and years of torture drew global condemnation, sparking numerous campaigns for his release.

Violent Arrest

Despite not taking part in the attack on Israeli settlers—a fact the court acknowledged—Manasra was charged with murder. His cousin Hassan, aged 15, was killed by an Israeli civilian, while Manasra suffered skull fractures and internal bleeding after being attacked by an Israeli mob and hit by a driver.

A widely shared video at the time showed Manasra lying bloodied on the street with a head injury and broken legs. Security forces ignored his condition, kicking him when he tried to move, while a crowd of Israeli onlookers shouted insults, spat, and urged him to die. Israeli authorities later took Manasra and his cousin’s body away without immediate information, only releasing a video days later of Manasra in a hospital bed receiving treatment.

The Israeli NGO Physicians for Human Rights criticized this action, stating that the government’s release of Manasra’s photos was politically motivated.

Unlawful Sentencing and Interrogation

Although it was later confirmed he didn’t participate in the stabbings, the Jerusalem district court still charged Manasra with two counts of attempted murder. In early testimony, not shown in the interrogation video, Manasra denied involvement, saying his cousin committed the stabbings and that he dislikes blood.

Under Israeli law, applicable to him as a resident under Israeli municipality, individuals cannot be imprisoned until age 14 per Israel’s youth law, so his court proceedings were delayed until he turned 14. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that “the appellant plotted a plan with his cousin to murder innocent people on nationalistic and ideological grounds,” reducing his sentence by two and a half years. The judges noted that “the actions of the appellant were extremely severe, but his role was secondary to that of his cousin.”

Manasra’s interrogation shocked Palestinians, rights groups, and activists. In one clip, an interrogator is seen shouting at Manasra, repeatedly accusing him of attempted murder. Manasra, visibly distressed, hits his face and screams that he can’t remember the day, while the interrogator yells back, demanding he recall details.

Human rights organizations argue the case has been politicized, with norms for treating minors being ignored. Leah Tsemel, one of Manasra’s lawyers, told Middle East Eye that the interrogator’s behavior was inappropriate. International law requires a child’s parents or guardian to be present during interrogation.

Amani Dayif from Physicians for Human Rights told MEE that Israeli law protecting children bans sharing footage harmful to a child.

Solitary Confinement and Psychological Abuse

While in prison, Manasra developed several serious psychiatric conditions. In late October 2021, an independent Israeli clinical psychologist diagnosed him with schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe depression.

Amnesty International reported that nearly two weeks after his diagnosis, the Israel Prison Service placed him in solitary confinement for two years, during which he faced medical neglect and suicidal thoughts.

After visiting him in 2023, his lawyer Khaled Zabarqa said, "I saw him as a person devoid of spirit. I tried to reassure him by saying we were close to securing his release. He replied, 'I’m only waiting for death. I’m not expecting anything from this life.' Before I left, he asked, 'Are you sure suicide is forbidden?'"

Amnesty noted that confinement beyond 15 days violates the absolute ban on torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. “The treatment of Ahmad Manasra reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against Palestinian children in the criminal justice system.”

In recent years, Israeli authorities have increasingly targeted Palestinian children. Manasra’s case led to a 2016 Israeli law amendment allowing children aged 12 to 14 to be held criminally responsible, tried, and sentenced as adults. Previously, only those 14 and older could be imprisoned. The change permitted authorities to jail minors under 14 for serious crimes like murder or attempted murder.

According to the NGO Save the Children, about 10,000 Palestinian children have been detained by Israeli military over the past 20 years.