The Israel Prisons Service on Thursday released the country's longest-serving security prisoner, Karim Younis, an Arab Israeli jailed for murdering Israel Defense Forces Cpl. Avraham Bromberg in the Golan Heights in 1980.
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Under directives from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Younis, who had completed a 40-year jail term, was driven to the Ra'anana central bus station and not released directly from Hadarim Prison, north of Tel Aviv, in order to avoid a "victory picture," Hebrew media reported.
Younis, who was arrested by Israel in 1983, contacted family members from the junction and received a ride to the Arab Israeli town of 'Ar'ara, in northern Israel. Upon arrival, he was greeted with balloons, hugs and celebrations.
He then visited his mother's grave, stating, "I am prepared to sacrifice another 40 years for the freedom of our people. My consolation is that today prisoners are united against the barbarity of the occupation," according to Israel National News.
Ben-Gvir tweeted on Thursday, "Until we pass the death penalty for terrorists, I will do everything so that God willing they leave prison in shame."
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has called on Younis to be stripped of his Israeli citizenship and contacted the turned to the attorney general to begin the process.
"Revoking his citizenship will send an important message," Deri wrote in a letter to the AG, given that Younis "has become a symbol for committing criminal acts of terror."
JNS.org contributed to this report.
