Bassem Khandaqji, 41, was released from an Israeli prison in October as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. His release was among approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees exchanged for hostages held by Hamas, who had been captured during the militant group's attack on southern Israel in October 2023. Khandaqji had been incarcerated for 21 years, serving three life sentences after being convicted of involvement in a 2004 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that resulted in the deaths of three Israeli civilians. During his imprisonment, he became an award-winning novelist.
Literary Achievements
While imprisoned, Khandaqji authored several fiction works, including "A Mask the Color of the Sky." This novel was awarded Arabic literature's International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2023, and its English translation is scheduled for release in March. Khandaqji, who was sent to Cairo upon his release, stated in an interview that he aims to convey through his writing that he is "a new man now."
The 2004 Incident and Conviction
Khandaqji was arrested in 2004 at age 20 while attending university in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. His arrest occurred during the Second Intifada (2000-2005), a period characterized by increased violence, with Palestinian militant groups killing over 1,000 Israelis and the Israeli military killing several thousand Palestinians. Khandaqji stated that witnessing the conflict made him "very angry" as a young man. He and two other members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) were convicted for their role in planning the Tel Aviv bombing.
During his 2005 sentencing, Khandaqji compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to the Holocaust, stating, "You are a victim who became a monster." Israeli judges responded in their verdict by stating they found "no expression of remorse" in his remarks and dismissed them as "delusional claims." Following his release, Khandaqji stated he had initially intended for the attack to target military installations rather than civilians. He affirmed he does not believe in targeting civilians and stated that if he could revisit that period, he would not employ the same methods. He did not express regret for his past actions but indicated he would avoid violence if the circumstances were to recur.
Writing Behind Bars and Themes
While incarcerated, Khandaqji developed his writing, producing novels that were subsequently published. In 2023, he received the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, also known as the Arabic Booker Prize. His award-winning novel, "A Mask the Color of the Sky," centers on a Palestinian man who uses an Israeli identity card to navigate Israeli society and participate in an archaeological dig. This narrative element parallels the Israeli conviction of Khandaqji, who was a journalism student at the time, for allegedly using press credentials to enter Israel in preparation for the 2004 bombing. Khandaqji declined to comment on this aspect of his conviction.
During his imprisonment, Khandaqji pursued studies in political science, specializing in Israeli studies. He identifies as an anti-colonialist and advocate for a unified state for Palestinians and Jews. He stated his current engagement in the Palestinian struggle is through writing, rather than violence. Khandaqji has noted a lack of nuanced representation of Jewish characters in Palestinian literature, contrasting with what he describes as stereotypical portrayals. He indicated his aim is to move beyond such portrayals, arguing that Israeli literature often depicts Palestinians as antagonists.
Issa Qaraqe, former head of the Palestinian national library and a former prisoner, noted that Khandaqji's novel differs from much Palestinian prison literature. Qaraqe stated that the book focuses on Palestinian history and identity in relation to Zionist and Biblical identity, rather than directly detailing the prison experience.
Award Reception and Continued Writing
Nabil Suleiman, head of the jury for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, presented the $50,000 award to Khandaqji's brother at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Suleiman noted the novel's innovative narrative and exploration of self-awareness and the "awareness of the other." Khandaqji recounted being informed of his award by interrogators in prison. He has since written a sequel from the perspective of the Israeli character in his novel. He described his writing process in prison as clandestine, often taking place in early morning hours.
Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, personal belongings, including writing materials, were confiscated from Palestinian prisoners. Khandaqji stated that he composed an entire novel mentally during this period, based on the experience of a fellow prisoner, Walid Daqqa, who died in prison last year after a battle with cancer.
Life After Release
Upon his release, Khandaqji was among over 100 prisoners who had served long sentences for attacks and were exiled to Egypt. This condition, set by Israel, prohibits their return to Palestinian territories. Some released prisoners reported that Israeli authorities restricted visits from immediate relatives in the West Bank to Egypt. Khandaqji stated that he fears exile, suggesting it might be more challenging than imprisonment. Since his release, he has participated in book events in Cairo and intends to pursue a doctorate in Israeli studies. He also mentioned an Israeli investigator asked if he would speak with the families of those killed in the 2004 bombing, to which he responded, "maybe in the future."