The Palestinian dancer who was locked away
Lina Khattab, an 18-year-old dancer and university student, tells Al-Monitor about her ordeal when Israeli forces arrested her and says she hopes she can show the world the suffering of the Palestinians.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Lina Khattab is a journalism student at Birzeit University and a dancer in the El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe. Her release from an Israeli prison June 11 represented an important transitional phase of her life, as her experience in detention changed her personality and her perception of the future.
The Israeli military arrested Khattab, 18, on Dec. 13. After appearing in court 11 times, she was sentenced to prison for six months and a fine of $1,500 on Feb. 16.
Yet, prison did not break Khattab’s spirit. During her imprisonment, she learned Hebrew and silk bead embroidery from other prisoners. She has pieces of her work displayed in her living room. In return, she taught her fellow prisoners some dabke moves.
Khattab said she was arrested and was severely beaten and abused near Ofer prison, west of Ramallah.
