In a surprising development, the Israeli court reversed its earlier decision to deny Layan Nasir release on bail while awaiting trial on charges of participating in a Birzeit University approved student group. That group, the Progressive Democratic Student Pole, was banned last year by the Israeli occupiers. Her six female companions who were arrested around the same time remain in prison awaiting trial.

Less than 3 days after her parish priest, Fr. Fadi Diab, wrote passionately about how Layan's student activism was an outgrowth of her Christian faith (West Bank church stands with unjustly incarcerated parishioner Layan Nasir – Mondoweiss), and only a day after the details of a pastoral visit by the Anglican/Episcopal Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, was released on Facebook ((20+) The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem | Facebook) her lawyer appealed her continued incarceration and Layan was released on 24,000 NIS bail (about $7,500). 

Later in the day, an obviously tired Layan was welcomed by family at the West Bank checkpoint near Jenin (see attached photo). More family and friends gathered in Birzeit later that evening to greet her upon her arrival.

Amidst all the joy of her release, we need to remember that she is out on bail. Nothing has changed about the "crimes" the Israeli Occupation Forces have charged her with. And if previous experience holds true, they may try to use the threat of re-arrest as a way of controlling her behavior. "Behave, or else we re-arrest you."

Another concern is that because Layan has been released, perhaps in part due to the public support she has received from local church leaders and through this petition, the occupiers may try to sow discord between Layan and the others detained, or between the Christian and Muslim communities.

World events in Afghanistan pushed the planned meeting between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Bennet off the schedule today, though it appears that Secretary of State Blinken may have been able to meet briefly with Bennet's entourage. The Biden-Bennet meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, circumstances allowing. Two of the important items on the American agenda should be the increasingly violent response by the Israeli army in the West Bank and ever-expanding settlement activity.

Which is why it is so important that we keep up our efforts to have all charges dropped against Layan and the other 6 young women who were detained, including Amany Jaradat, Anagam Awad, Mona Qaadan, Ruba Assi and Shatha Al-Taweel. I have reached out for more information about each of them and will share it in future updates. Please forward this update to your family, friends and colleagues. Let's see if we can achieve 10,000 signatures by the start of next week.