Palestinian prisoners who were released in a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas arrive to the town of Beitunia, on January 20, 2025. (Flash90)
Hussam Shaheen is a convicted terrorist freed on February 1 as part of an exchange in which Israel released prisoners in return for live and deceased hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas massacre.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Two Palestinian terrorists are scheduled to address the Detroit People’s Conference for Palestine later this month, including one released in a February hostage deal and a former Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) official.
Organizers announced on Instagram that attendees at the August 29–31 event would hear from Hussam Shaheen, a convicted terrorist freed on February 1 as part of an exchange in which Israel released prisoners in return for live and deceased hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas massacre.
Once a Fatah youth leader, Shaheen later created an al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade cell in Jerusalem’s Jebl Mukaber neighborhood
It was discovered that Shaheen had recruited two terrorists into the group and had given them weapons for two failed attacks in Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities said he recruited members and provided weapons for failed attacks in the city.
Arrested in 2004, he was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
While in prison, Shaheen wrote books about his experiences that led to his incarceration, and he is traveling to Michigan to discuss his writings.
Another featured speaker is Omar Assaf, a veteran DFLP terrorist now coordinating the Palestinian Popular Conference.
The group openly praised the October 7 assault, calling on Palestinians to intensify confrontation with Israel, end security cooperation, and mobilize “all forces” to destroy the Jewish state.
The Detroit gathering will also host American anti-Israel groups such as the United States Palestinian Community Network and Jewish Voice for Peace, alongside activists Mahmoud Khalil and Linda Sarsour.
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib are also slated to appear, marking Tlaib’s second consecutive participation.
Last year’s conference drew controversy for featuring Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) figures and relatives of convicted terrorists.
Panelists repeatedly praised perpetrators of deadly attacks and glorified the October 7 massacre.
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