Pardoned Fatah leader to spend Eid with family

Prominent Fatah leader Shaker Zidan has been wanted by Israeli authorities for ten years. On Friday evening, he learned that he had received a pardon and would be freed from protective custody in the West Bank, days before Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha begins. "This amnesty comes after ten years of fear and hiding, being detained in my home and banned from movement and from taking part in life," Zidan told Ma'an. "I am so happy because I am pardoned and I am free." Zidan, from Tulkarem, is the head of the Fatah office for the northern West Bank city, and is known as a leader and fighter for Fatah groups. "I don't regret (the years of hiding) because I am a Palestinian, and I would sacrifice my life for this land," Shaker said. News of Zidan's pardon came after officials released a list of 51 "wanted" persons granted amnesty by Israel on Friday morning. The prisoners, who took part in the second intifada against Israel in 2000 - 2005, were held in a Palestinian Authority-run jail as part of deal to gradually remove fighters from Israel's "wanted" list. "I will always be ready to serve my land and my nation, but my happiness is not complete as many are still in prison and have not been pardoned," Shaker said. He added: "I hope Israel will act honestly this time, as many times after an amnesty is announced Israel arrests (those pardoned) suddenly." "I am going to spend the Eid with the family freely and so happy. I wish that all the wanted will be pardoned and the Palestinian detainees be freed from Israeli prisons.” Members of the Tulkarem Fatah office congratulated Zidan and said they hoped all Fatah members will be pardoned.