Full Breakdown
Israeli-Kurdish Jew Freed After 11 Years in Iraqi Prison
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Release After a Decade-Long Detention
Benjamin “Ben” Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian citizen of Kurdish Jewish heritage, was released from the Sulaymaniyah prison in Iraqi Kurdistan on Wednesday. After more than ten years of incarceration—including a death-penalty sentence—Hassin is now travelling back to Israel with his legal team.
Background and Legal History
Hassin, born in Iraqi Kurdistan and later immigrating to Israel and Canada, joined the Kurdish Peshmerga in 2014. In 2015 he was accused of shooting a taxi driver who threatened to expose his Israeli identity to ISIS. The driver died a few days later, and Hassin was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2020. Subsequent reports indicate the sentence was later commuted to a 15-year term, though the exact date of commutation is not disclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
Former Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara, who first publicised the case in 2016, posted on X that the effort to free Hassin seemed “nonexistent” until persistent advocacy succeeded.
Financial Settlement and Aid
A 2025 sulha (reconciliation) agreement required a monetary settlement with the victim’s family. Alan Dershowitz said $250,000 was raised at the Iraqi authorities’ request and used to persuade the family to accept the settlement. Earlier, the Israeli emergency service ZAKA reported raising roughly $120,000 for a similar purpose, though it later considered returning the funds after difficulties locating local officials.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We managed to get the death sentence overturned and — thanks to kind-hearted individuals — we persevered,” — Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara, then-likud minister
- “On the eve of Yom Kippur, Ben is returning home — to his family and to Israel,” — Siso. According