Journalist Walid Daqqa Explores Dual Identity in New Book

A Palestinian Prisoner’s Life Behind Bars: A Story of Resilience

Walid Daqqa, one of the longest-serving Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, has spent decades behind bars. His story is told through intimate testimonies from his family, former prisoners, and his lawyer.

Born in 1948 Palestine, Daqqa was a sharp-minded boy who would later become a clandestine PFLP organiser. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). While incarcerated, Daqqa turned his cell into a space for learning and self-expression.

In voice recordings made behind bars, Daqqa shares his concept of “parallel time,” which refers to living two separate realities: one within the confines of the prison walls and another beyond them. His family and loved ones describe how he used this idea to cope with his situation.

Daqqa’s personal life also took an unexpected turn while in prison. He married Sanaa Salama, a fellow inmate, inside Ashkelon prison. The couple had a daughter, Milad, whose birth was facilitated through sperm smuggling.

As Daqqa’s health began to decline due to cancer, his family and supporters continued to advocate for his release. Despite Israel’s refusal, Daqqa remained committed to his message of resistance against oppression, urging his daughter to focus on the people rather than hate.

In a poignant final statement, Milad chanted “Freedom for our prisoners. For my father” as her father’s life came to an end. This powerful expression of love and solidarity highlights the ongoing struggle for Palestinian prisoners’ rights.

Source: Al Jazeera