Egypt may release Israeli prisoner, held since 2000, today
Deal imminent to exchange Ouda Tarabin for dozens of Egyptians in Israeli jails, according to Cairo-based newspaper
An Egyptian newspaper is reporting that Israel will sign a prisoner exchange deal with Egyptian authorities on Saturday for the release of Ouda Tarabin, an Israeli citizen convicted of espionage and held in Egypt since 2000.
Al Ahram quoted senior Egyptian security sources on Saturday that said negotiations were underway for the release of over 63 Egyptian prisoners in Israeli jails in exchange for Tarabin.
The newspaper reported on Friday that Israel’s ambassador to Egypt Yaakov Amitai had postponed his weekly trip home in order to wrap up negotiations on the prisoner swap, however the report was not confirmed by any other sources.
In late April, Israeli and Egyptian media outlets reported that a deal to exchange Tarabin for dozens of Egyptians held in Israel would be finalized within days.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said on Saturday that “it is better if everything happens without any unnecessary involvement and without public involvement.” He added that he hoped Tarabin would be released soon.
In 2000, the 19-year-old Israeli Bedouin Tarabin was captured by Egyptian forces after he illegally crossed the border. He was tried for espionage in absentia by an Egyptian military court and sentenced to 25 years in prison under Egypt’s emergency laws, which allow possibility for parole. Tarabin has maintained his innocence from his Cairo jail since his arrest.
It is unknown why Tarabin crossed the border from Israel to Sinai, but Tarabin’s brother claims that he was likely planning to visit his sister in El-Arish. Another version contends that Tarabin, a shepherd, strayed across the border while searching for a lost camel.
Although Israel lobbied for Tarabin’s release in October 2011 as part of the deal negotiated for the release of Ilan Grapel, the Egyptians were not willing to consider the suggestion. Grapel, a law student with dual US and Israeli citizenship, was jailed for five months on espionage charges while working for an Egyptian NGO that aids refugees from Iraq and Sudan, and released in exchange for 25 Egyptian prisoners.
