Tasnim Barakat Odeh

‘I miss my mother's cooking’

Today at noon, I visited Damon Prison in the upper Carmel Mountains to meet with prisoner Tasnim Barakat Odeh (born 17 September 2003) from Anata/Jerusalem, a law student at Al-Quds University/Abu Dis.

She began by telling me about ‘the big raid,’ tear gas, shackles, shouting and beatings, and about her arrest on 12 December 2024 in Wadi al-Joz and about her martyred father's dream (he was martyred on 30 October 2022) of seeing her become a lawyer. She was due to graduate in January 2025, but this did not happen because of her arrest. She will soon realise his dream.

Tasnim is in Room 10 with Siham Abu Salem/Gaza, Bushra Qawariq, Walaa Houtri, Masa Ghazal and Samia Al-Jawda (she told me how she received the news of her father's death and I offered her my condolences).

"They are very strict with us. They only open the door to bring in food, and the guard accompanies the prisoner and rushes her all the time. They are always watching us, we don't wear skirts, the pressure is intense, there is foul language all the time, and the intelligence officers ask, 'Why don't you cause trouble with each other? Finally, they treated the mill and removed it after months of procrastination.

Serine delivers a message from the girls of Damoun: ‘O smiling face, O laughing eyes, I may have forgotten to drink coffee, but the laughter in your eyes will not be forgotten. My brothers and sisters, pillars of my heart, the prisoners of Damoun are shaken by longing. Do not forget us in your prayers.’

Say hello to my mother and tell her, ‘I am listening to the oath and all ears are listening to the girls' request for her.’ I miss eating her food, especially the sweet things, especially the ‘haliba,’ and her daughters Amina and Nour, and her brothers, Iyad and Nour: I miss hanging out with you." Her message to her family: Live each day and be happy for me.

Shaima and Maysa: I miss sitting at university, talking and chatting, and I miss studying for exams with you.

Sajoud (her sister): Mum, I trust you, take care of Lulu (her daughter, wishing her a happy birthday on 22 June). Take care and, God willing, I will be there for your delivery.

Aya (her sister): Pay attention to your studies and university, and God willing, you will finish your book.

She asked me to convey her greetings and longing to everyone who asks about her.

To you, my dear Tasnim, my warmest regards, and freedom to you and all the free women of Damoun.

Damoun/Haifa, 9 July 2025