A significant development occurred today when a Jewish man who had been incarcerated in Iraq for over a decade was finally released. This landmark moment was made possible through an extensive global collaboration aimed at securing his freedom.
Background on Benjamin Hassin
Benjamin Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian citizen now in his early 30s, was set free from a prison in Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday. His life journey began in Iraqi Kurdistan, where he was born. As a young child, he migrated first to Israel and then to Canada, eventually returning to Israel during his teenage years.
In 2014, Hassin took a trip to Kurdistan to visit his grandparents. During his stay, he reportedly joined local Kurdish Peshmerga forces, who were bravely defending their area from ISIS threats. However, his return to Israel in 2015 led to a catastrophic incident that would change his life indefinitely.
Incident Leading to Imprisonment
While attempting to leave Kurdistan, Hassin encountered a taxi driver who, upon overhearing him speak Hebrew, became aggressive and made lethal threats against him. Fearing for his life and armed for self-defense, Hassin claimed he shot the driver, who succumbed to his injuries days later. As a result, Hassin faced murder charges and was subsequently sentenced to death.
The details surrounding his imprisonment remained largely undisclosed for more than a year. It wasn’t until 2016 that the situation gained public attention, thanks to a video posted by then-Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara. In it, he revealed his close collaboration with Hassin’s father, Ilan, to secure Benjamin’s release. This announcement sparked international efforts from various Jewish organizations seeking justice for Hassin.
International Intervention for Release
The movement to rescue Hassin gained traction when major international Jewish groups joined to advocate for his freedom. In November 2025, a sulha agreement—an Arab traditional mediation—was reached, which led to the annulment of Hassin’s death sentence. Notably, $250,000 was raised upon the request of Iraqi authorities to persuade the victim’s family to drop charges. Alan Dershowitz, a notable attorney, confirmed that these funds played a crucial role in facilitating the agreement.
Despite these efforts, Hassin remained incarcerated until today, marking an end to his long ordeal that associated him with severe mistreatment, including reported torture and abuse during his imprisonment.
Looking Ahead
The successful release of Benjamin Hassin is credited to key figures such as former Israeli diplomat Eyal Sisso and lawyer Alan Lowy. The latter took regular trips to Sulaymaniyah to negotiate the terms of Hassin’s release. As of now, Hassin and Lowy are en route back to Israel, where the challenges of reintegration into society loom.
After being released, Hassin expressed gratitude by reciting the Jewish “Sheheyanu” prayer, signaling a moment of thankfulness and renewal. The Aish HaTorah Foundation has welcomed him into a program in Jerusalem, aiming to support his transition back into civilian life. Despite the vast trials he has faced, Hassin’s story illustrates resilience and the impact of international solidarity.