August 12th, 2025 - The Palestinian Leader of a Militia, Theater, and Jailbreak

Zakaria Zubeidi, a Palestinian figure known for his role as a militant, theater leader, and prisoner, was celebrated as a hero upon his release from an Israeli prison in February. Crowds in Ramallah greeted his return, chanting his name and lifting him on their shoulders. For many Palestinians, Zubeidi’s release represented a fleeting moment of joy amidst years of struggle. A child even brought a tin of hair gel that Zubeidi had given him years ago, symbolizing the deep connection the former prisoner maintained with his community.

Zubeidi, now 49, has lived a life marked by his involvement in the Palestinian resistance and later in cultural initiatives. In the early 2000s, he became a prominent leader of a militant group in Jenin, affiliated with Fatah. This earned him international attention, as well as notoriety among Israelis, who considered him a terrorist. Zubeidi was accused of orchestrating attacks on Israelis, and was charged with 24 offenses, though no verdict was reached before his release. Despite these allegations, Zubeidi remained a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and his actions during the second intifada were remembered by Palestinians as part of the fight for sovereignty.

In a recent interview, Zubeidi reflected on his journey, acknowledging the futility of his actions in achieving a Palestinian state. He pointed out that the violent methods and cultural efforts, such as founding the Freedom Theater in Jenin, have not led to a lasting solution. His feelings of disillusionment were heightened by the devastating events following his release. The conflict in Gaza had intensified, with Israeli military actions decimating parts of the region, including his hometown of Jenin. His 21-year-old son, also a militant, had been killed in an Israeli strike, leaving Zubeidi to contemplate the failure of both violent and peaceful efforts for Palestinian statehood.

Zubeidi’s ambivalence toward his past choices reflects the complexity of the Palestinian struggle. While he had once believed that militant resistance was the way forward, his disillusionment led him to explore cultural and intellectual resistance as well. His time in prison and the events following his release only reinforced his sense of hopelessness, as both armed and peaceful tactics seemed to offer no path toward a solution. Yet, Zubeidi continues to search for answers, recently enrolling in a Ph.D. program at Birzeit University to study Israel in an effort to better understand the conflict's complexities.

One of the most notable episodes in Zubeidi’s life was his 2021 prison escape, which captured the imagination of Palestinians but ultimately led to his recapture. Zubeidi, along with five other prisoners, dug a tunnel from their cell to escape, but was caught days later. The escape became a symbol of Palestinian resistance, but for Zubeidi, it was a futile act that ultimately resulted in harsher conditions for Palestinian prisoners. He described the moment of freedom as fleeting but deeply emotional, only to realize that it brought no real change.

Zubeidi’s life has unfolded as a series of attempts to challenge Israel’s dominance through both violent and nonviolent means. Yet, he has come to believe that neither approach has succeeded, largely due to the Israeli government’s refusal to grant Palestinians genuine sovereignty. In his view, Israel remains an insurmountable obstacle to peace. Despite this, Zubeidi has not abandoned his quest for a solution, and his new academic pursuit suggests that he is seeking a deeper understanding of the conflict that has defined his life.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Ramshackle (adj, RAM-shak-ul) - Ramshackle describes things that are in a very bad condition and need to be repaired, or that are carelessly or loosely constructed.

Example: Toward the back of the property stood a ramshackle old shed.