Mourning the Untimely, Tragic Death of Suha Jarrar

All of us at Palestine Writes Literature Festival are devastated to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Suha Jarrar, who was a key participant in the keynote panel at the first festival, held in December 2020.

Suha Jarrar was a powerful voice of Palestinian resistance, social justice, and internationalism.  She is the daughter of iconic freedom fighters and political prisoners.  Her father Ghassan Jarrar was imprisoned by Israel during most of childhood, and her mother, Khalida Jarrar, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), is currently serving a two year sentence in Israeli prison for being a member of PFLP.

Prior to her passing, Suha worked with Al-Haq human rights organization as Researcher and Advocacy Officer in gender and environmental policy.  Al Haq described her as “a fierce advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, and dignity.”

Suha and her sister Yafa never ceased fighting for their mother’s freedom.  Last year, the sisters read a letter from their mother, which was written and smuggled out of her prison to be delivered at the Palestine Writes Literature Festival. https://www.palestinewrites.org/news1/khalid-jarrar-smuggles-a-letter-for-palestine-writes

We send our heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the Jarrar family, in particular Khalida, Ghassan, and Yafa during this time of profound loss.  And we add our voices to call for the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar from zionist occupation prison to bid farewell her beloved daughter, a beloved daughter of all of Palestine.

Suha’s memory will live on, and we vow to uphold her legacy of advocacy and struggle for Palestinian rights.  Rest in perfect power, dear Suha.