Palestinian terrorist Zakaria Zubeidi claims life of terror 'ultimately futile' in NYT interview

The interview, which the outlet describes as "his first major interview as a free man," describes Zubeidi as "emblematic" of a "sense of hopelessness that imbues Palestinian life."

However, Zubeidi claimed that his life as a terror leader proved "ultimately futile" in helping to found a Palestinian state. "We have to reconsider our tools...we tried cultural resistance...we tried the rifle, we tried shooting. There's no solution." Zubeidi said.

The report claims that Zubeidi was re-arrested in 2019 after "breaking the terms of his amnesty," however, Israel's Government Press Office refuted this, stating that Zubeidi was sent back to prison after "his involvement in a series of shooting attacks against buses," with a rap sheet which included "Attempted murder; Contact with a hostile organization; and Conspiracy to murder."

Zubeidi instituted a jail break and was recaptured within six days while awaiting trial in 2021.

"It was impossible for me to be imprisoned and not seek freedom," he said. "The prisoner who does not think about escaping prison does not deserve freedom."

Zubeidi, who was found guilty of terrorism by an Israeli court in 2019, told Sky News that he blames the international community for Israel’s continued presence in the West Bank. The released terrorist admitted to being involved in a bombing attack in 2002, which killed six people.

"My life is worthless without freedom," he said, speaking in Ramallah. "Freedom has no price. But the world that has denied me my freedom - particularly Britain, France, and the United States - must return what they have taken from me and my children."

"They are the ones who need to reconsider their mistakes, not me. They are the ones who have wronged us, and they should think about rectifying the harm they have caused to me and my children."

"Zakaria Zubaidi, you were released in an agreement for the release of Israeli hostages - one mistake, and you are going to meet old friends. We will not accept support for terrorism."

Zakaria Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Zubeidi was born in 1976 in Jenin to a family of nine.

From a young age, he was involved in conflicts with the Israeli military, including being shot by soldiers after throwing stones at civilian vehicles, which he claimed caused him a lasting limp.

At 14, he was imprisoned for six months and later sentenced to four and a half years for throwing a Molotov cocktail. While serving his first sentence, he was recruited by Fatah. After his release, he joined the Palestinian police, worked as a builder in Tel Aviv, and drove trucks in Jenin.

Following the death of his mother by IDF gunfire and his brother's death during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, he turned to terrorism, joining Fatah's terrorist groups and fighting against the Israeli army during the operation.

Eventually, he joined AAMB. He was then responsible for a series of terrorist attacks, including many in the Samaria region, such as shooting at Israeli vehicles and, eventually, a suicide bombing at a Likud branch in Beit She'an, where six people were killed.