UPDATE: January 20, 2025
FATIMA RELEASED, AND RE-UNITED WITH HER
FAMILY, BY ISRAELI ARMY, AS PART OF
FIRST HOSTAGE/PRISONER EXCHANGES
**************************
AFT Welcomes the Inclusion of Teacher Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi in the 93 Prisoners Released by Israel
On January 20, 2025, the world welcomed the news that Hamas had released three Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza, on the first day of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement that went into effect more than 15 months into the war. At the same time, Israel released 93 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, concluding the first, critical steps in the agreed deal. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, large crowds gathered to welcome the released Palestinian prisoners. Union leader and kindergarten teacher Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi was among those freed and brought home to her family.
Ms. Al-Rimawi, a 54-year-old local teacher union president from Jericho, was arrested by the Israel Defense Forces in her home in January 2024, on charges of incitement, merely based on posts to her Facebook page.
For this entire past year she has been detained without trial, without access to needed medical care, and without visitation from her family or legal representation. The notorious Damon military prison, where she has been held, has famously been criticized by international human rights groups for abuse, isolation, and dangerous conditions.
In July at the AFT’s Convention, her teachers’ union, the GUWKPS, appealed to the AFT and SADTU to organize an international campaign to pressure for her release from prison.
With advice from teachers’ unions in the Arab region and from Israeli human rights lawyers, and in consultation with her husband, the AFT created the campaign, “#FreeFatima,” which had thousands of individuals and a network of twelve international unions contacting their governments and the Israeli authorities.
The campaign had value in that Ms. Al-Rimawi, a 54-year old kindergarten teacher and union leader from Jericho, was among the first 93 to be released.
The campaign began at the AFT’s national convention where AFT and SADTU decided to support Fatima’s union in advocating for her release. Education International and Public Services International were enlisted to mobilize their organizations in the effort.
The components of the campaign included:
Fatima’s release is testimony to the compassion and skill of education and public employee unions around the world, and what we can do when we apply ourselves to a focused strategic campaign.
On January 20, 2025, the world welcomed the news that Hamas had released three Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza, on the first day of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement that went into effect more than 15 months into the war. At the same time, Israel released 93 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, concluding the first, critical steps in the agreed deal. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, large crowds gathered to welcome the released Palestinian prisoners. Union leader and kindergarten teacher Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi was among those freed and brought home to her family.
Ms. Al-Rimawi, a 54-year-old local teacher union president from Jericho, was arrested by the Israel Defense Forces in her home in January 2024, on charges of incitement, merely based on posts to her Facebook page.
For this entire past year she has been detained without trial, without access to needed medical care, and without visitation from her family or legal representation. The notorious Damon military prison, where she has been held, has famously been criticized by international human rights groups for abuse, isolation, and dangerous conditions.
In July at the AFT’s Convention, her teachers’ union, the GUWKPS, appealed to the AFT and SADTU to organize an international campaign to pressure for her release from prison.
With advice from teachers’ unions in the Arab region and from Israeli human rights lawyers, and in consultation with her husband, the AFT created the campaign, “#FreeFatima,” which had thousands of individuals and a network of twelve international unions contacting their governments and the Israeli authorities.
The campaign had value in that Ms. Al-Rimawi, a 54-year old kindergarten teacher and union leader from Jericho, was among the first 93 to be released.
The campaign began at the AFT’s national convention where AFT and SADTU decided to support Fatima’s union in advocating for her release. Education International and Public Services International were enlisted to mobilize their organizations in the effort.
The components of the campaign included:
- creation of the “#FreeFatima” website, which hosted the campaign’s information about Fatima, her incarceration, and the social media toolkit;
- the social media toolkit included Facebook, Twitter, and a video on TikTok advocating Fatima's case;
- convening and leading a group of worldwide education unions — including AFT affiliates, and unions from South Africa, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, the UK, Canada, as well as education unions from Palestine and the Middle East – to communicate with their governments to advocate for her release;
- keeping communication lines open among the family, Fatima's colleagues, and human rights officials in the Department of State in Washington and Jerusalem; and
- working in collaboration with an Israeli legal rights group to keep a spotlight on Fatima's case.
Fatima’s release is testimony to the compassion and skill of education and public employee unions around the world, and what we can do when we apply ourselves to a focused strategic campaign.
See below for how her supporters worked for Fatima's release...
"Fatima is the most loved teacher at our school, the kids miss her so much" - Colleague
"We want her to come back and comb our hairs like she used to, treating us like her own children"
- Student
"Fatima is a lover of peace and freedom, she has always been an advocate for women's rights...I urge you to do everything in your power to help" - Ghassan Rimawi, Husband of Fatima Al Rimawi
"Fatima is the most loved teacher at our school, the kids miss her so much" - Colleague
"We want her to come back and comb our hairs like she used to, treating us like her own children"
- Student
"Fatima is a lover of peace and freedom, she has always been an advocate for women's rights...I urge you to do everything in your power to help" - Ghassan Rimawi, Husband of Fatima Al Rimawi
Fatima Al Rimawi, a Palestinian union leader and educator, was arrested by the Israel Defense Forces in January 2024. Ms. Rimawi has been held without trial in Damon military prison, facing harsh conditions and denied access to medical care, family visits, or legal representation. Her imprisonment, based on allegations of aiding terrorism through social media posts, has deeply impacted her family, students, and community. Fatima's case exemplifies the broader human rights violations faced by Palestinian detainees, particularly women, under Israel's current hardline policies, but it also highlights the potential for justice through the resilience of the Israeli judicial system.
The impact of Fatima's absence is deeply felt by both students and parents alike. Her colleagues fondly recall her care and presence, saying things like, 'Fatima is the most loved teacher in our school. She's always been so close to the kids, and they miss her so much.' They constantly ask about her, wondering, 'when she'll come back.' One of her students mentioned that 'whenever there's a problem, we ask for Ms. Rimawi because she's the best at solving issues'. Her young female students, in particular, miss her maternal touch, as one shared, 'We want her to come back and comb our hairs like she used to, treating us like her own children'. Even parents are concerned, especially during registration, remembering how 'she always made things easier for them, understanding their financial struggles and helping with the school fees.'
Fatima's husband, Ghassan Rimawi, has written a letter asking for international solidarity and help to free Fatima saying:
"I urge you to do everything in your power to help. I am calling you from the oldest city in the world, Jericho, with ten thousand years of civilization, to stand with her and with the other women there, as there are mothers, teachers, and housewives inside the Damon prison who are suffering like her."
The impact of Fatima's absence is deeply felt by both students and parents alike. Her colleagues fondly recall her care and presence, saying things like, 'Fatima is the most loved teacher in our school. She's always been so close to the kids, and they miss her so much.' They constantly ask about her, wondering, 'when she'll come back.' One of her students mentioned that 'whenever there's a problem, we ask for Ms. Rimawi because she's the best at solving issues'. Her young female students, in particular, miss her maternal touch, as one shared, 'We want her to come back and comb our hairs like she used to, treating us like her own children'. Even parents are concerned, especially during registration, remembering how 'she always made things easier for them, understanding their financial struggles and helping with the school fees.'
Fatima's husband, Ghassan Rimawi, has written a letter asking for international solidarity and help to free Fatima saying:
"I urge you to do everything in your power to help. I am calling you from the oldest city in the world, Jericho, with ten thousand years of civilization, to stand with her and with the other women there, as there are mothers, teachers, and housewives inside the Damon prison who are suffering like her."
Sample Tweets to support #FreeFatimaAlRimawi
Tag the Minister of Defense @yoavgallant " Even in times of conflict, the rule of law must prevail. Fatima and others detained without fair trials deserve justice. We must continue to advocate for their rights and dignity. #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #FreeFatimaAlRimawi @yoavgallant " " Fatima Rimawi, a Palestinian union leader and educator, has been detained without trial since Jan 2024 by the IDF. She's held in the notorious Damon prison, known for its harsh conditions. Act now: Demand her immediate release. #HumanRights #FreeFatimaAlRimawi @yoavgallant " " Fatima's unjust arrest deeply affects her family and community. A mother, educator, and leader with 30+ years of service, her imprisonment is a blow to all. Speak out: Call for justice and her freedom. #JusticeForFatima #FreeFatimaAlRimawi @yoavgallant " " Damon prison's conditions are dire. Fatima, like many others, suffers overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of medical care. Raise your voice: Support Fatima’s husband’s call to the international community for action. #EndTheTorture #HumanRights @yoavgallant " " B’Tselem's report “Welcome to Hell” exposes the abuses in Israeli detention centers. These are de-facto torture camps. Take action: Demand accountability and Fatima's release. #HumanRights #FreeFatimaAlRimawi @yoavgallant " " Justice must prevail. Even in conflict, the rule of law is essential. Fatima and others deserve fair trials and freedom. Join the fight: Advocate for their rights today. #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #FreeFatimaAlRimawi @yoavgallant " |
Sample Instagram captions
" 📚 As Our Teachers Head Back to School, Fatima and Many Others in Palestine Are Not... 🛑 While classrooms fill with eager students and dedicated teachers around the world, Fatima Rimawi—a lifelong educator and union leader in Palestine—remains unjustly detained. Since January 2024, Fatima has been held without trial by the IDF in the notorious Damon prison, a place known for its brutal conditions and human rights abuses. Fatima’s absence is felt deeply by her students, her family, and her community. A teacher with over 30 years of experience, she has spent her life shaping young minds in the West Bank. Now, instead of preparing lessons, she’s enduring overcrowding, poor medical care, and psychological torture. As we support our teachers this school year, let’s not forget those who are silenced. 🔴 Take Action Now: Tweet Israel’s Minister of Defense @yoavgallant, demand Fatima’s release, and stand up for all teachers unjustly imprisoned. Your voice can help bring Fatima and many others back to where they belong—teaching and inspiring the next generation. ✊ #FreeFatima #StandWithTeachers #JusticeForAll 🖋️ Share this post and help spread the word. Together, we can make a difference! " |
Sample Facebook post
"📢 URGENT: Stand Up for Justice! Meet Fatima Rimawi—a devoted Palestinian union leader and early childhood educator, who has spent over 30 years nurturing young minds in the West Bank. But since January 2024, Fatima has been detained without trial by the IDF and is currently held in the notorious Damon military prison. This prison is infamous for its severe conditions: overcrowding, lack of medical care, and psychological torture. Fatima, like many others, endures this daily. Her arrest has left her family and community in deep distress, with her husband Ghassan calling on the world for help. The recent report by B’Tselem, titled “Welcome to Hell,” exposes these human rights abuses, describing the facilities as de-facto torture camps. Even in these difficult times, the rule of law must prevail. 🔴 Take Action Now! Fatima deserves justice. Tweet Israel’s Minister of Defense @yoavgallant and demand her immediate release. Your voice can make a difference. Together, we can bring Fatima and many others like her home. ✊ #FreeFatimaAlRimawi #HumanRights #JusticeForAll 🖋️ Tag your friends, share this post, and let’s make sure our governments know we won’t stand for this. " |
DAMON MILITARY PRISON
Below is a link to the B'Tselem report "Welcome to Hell" on the Israeli prison system. This report covers the torture that Palestinian prisoners endure in prison, including the Damon military prison where Fatima is currently being held.
Report: "Welcome to Hell"
Report: "Welcome to Hell"
