Wafa Nemer: A Beacon of Palestinian Resilience in Detention

On the night of July 1, 2024, Israeli occupation forces stormed the home of 21-year-old Wafa Nemer in the village of Kharbatha Bani Harith, west of Ramallah. The calm of the evening was shattered as a large number of armed soldiers violently broke into the house, disrupting the family’s sense of safety. Awakened by the noise of doors being smashed, Wafa’s family—her parents and siblings—were forcibly gathered into one room, while the soldiers were searching the home chaotically.

Amid the tense atmosphere, soldiers demanded the family’s identification documents and isolated Wafa in a separate room for an initial interrogation. Shortly after, she was told to get dressed and informed she was detained for questioning. The announcement left her family in shock and fear. The soldiers confiscated her personal belongings, including her computer and phone.

Wafa’s ordeal began as she was moved between various interrogation centers before being transferred to Damon Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees. During her interrogations, she endured severe psychological and physical pressures, facing continuous humiliation and stress, with limited communication allowed with her family. The charge against her—“incitement”—is a vague and frequently used accusation aimed at justifying the detention of Palestinians university students!

Since her detention, the family has faced repeated delays in court hearings, compounding their anxiety and suffering. The most recent hearing, scheduled for November 12, 2024, was postponed again to December 31 without explanation. These constant delays are part of a broader strategy by the Israeli occupation forces to exert psychological pressure on both Wafa and her family. Her lawyer has emphasized the lack of concrete evidence in the case, highlighting the Israeli authorities’ reliance on ambiguity to keep her in detention.

Inside Damon Prison, Wafa faces extremely challenging conditions. Small, overcrowded rooms house around nine detainees each, with inadequate clothing and poor-quality food, particularly during the harsh winter. Detainees are confined for about 23 hours a day, with only an hour allocated for basic needs such as bathing and using the restroom. Access to books, writing materials, or other forms of intellectual engagement is strictly denied, making prison life exceptionally difficult.

Despite these hardships, Wafa has remained resilient, finding solace in completing the memorization of the Quran during her time in detention. Her family noted that this effort reflects her spiritual strength and determination to resist attempts to break her will.

Wafa’s detention has deeply affected her family, who feel her absence profoundly. Known for her warmth and bright smile, Wafa played a pivotal role in her household. Her mother, who relied on her for many household responsibilities, now struggles with the void left behind. Her father, who describes her as the “soul of the house,” yearns for her daily presence and support. Her siblings also miss their sister, who was a source of encouragement and guidance for them.

Before her arrest, Wafa was an outstanding accounting student at Birzeit University, known for her dedication to helping her peers and her aspirations for a bright future. Her detention has put her academic and personal dreams on hold, as she now faces the oppressive reality of imprisonment.

Amid their suffering, Wafa’s family holds on to hope, believing in the eventual realization of justice. They are acutely aware that the occupation uses every means to suppress Palestinian voices, but they see Wafa’s resilience as a continuous challenge to these oppressive policies. The family remains in contact with her through her lawyer, who provides updates on her condition and reassures them of her perseverance.

The local community has shown unwavering solidarity with Wafa and her family, organizing events calling for her release and that of other detainees. Her family actively participates in these efforts, viewing public solidarity as a means to strengthen their resilience and apply pressure on the occupation forces.

Wafa embodies the spirit of free Palestinian youth from behind prison walls, sending a powerful message of defiance: the voice of truth will not be silenced. Her family echoes this sentiment, affirming their steadfast support and eagerly awaiting the day she regains her freedom and joy returns to their home.

Article by Noura Manassra