Israeli-Canadian Released From Iraqi Kurdistan Prison After 11 Years Returns Home

Ben Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian citizen of Kurdish descent, landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Friday morning after being released from prison in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where he had spent the last 11 years. Hassin was imprisoned for his involvement in a dispute that resulted in the death of a local man.

His release was facilitated by fundraising efforts initiated last year to arrange a reconciliation, known as "sulha," with the victim's family. This reconciliation ultimately led to the commutation of his death sentence.

Hassin, who holds both Canadian and Israeli citizenship, had been serving his sentence in Iraq following the 2013 incident. The process for his release involved extensive negotiations and community efforts to secure forgiveness from the bereaved family, a common practice in Kurdish society to resolve serious conflicts.