Israeli lady who feared life in jail is pardoned by the UAE

A year after being found guilty on drug-related offenses, an Israeli lady was freed by the United Arab Emirates.

On Sunday, Fidaa Kiwan flew back home. President Isaac Herzog had asked for her freedom, and Israel described her amnesty as a “special gesture” in his honor.

In April 2021, Ms. Kiwan was detained for having cocaine and weed in her possession. On appeal, her original execution penalty was changed to life in jail.

In 2020, an agreement mediated by the US restored diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE.

When Ms. Kiwan, an Arab-Israeli photojournalist, was detained, she was in Dubai on business.

She was discovered with 500g of marijuana and 50g of cocaine, the prosecution claims. According to her, the cocaine wasn’t hers.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the president of the UAE, was encouraged to forgive her by President Herzog.

Following the release, Mr. Herzog praised the president of the UAE and sent him his best wishes for “a month of kindness and peace” during Ramadan.

The Abraham Accords, a deal mediated by the US, saw Israel normalize ties with a number of Arab nations.

Since then, relations between the UAE and Israel have improved, with commerce increasing and a surge in Israeli visitors to Dubai.

The UAE, a well-liked vacation spot, has a stringent anti-drugs policy. The UK Foreign Office issues a warning that even minor drug offenses can result in significant penalties or jail time.