Egypt and Israel swap prisoners
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Twenty-five Egyptians crossed from Israel into Egypt today in exchange for a US-Israeli citizen jailed in Cairo on suspicion of spying.
The Israeli-American was preparing to fly from Cairo to Israel.
Egypt arrested Ilan Grapel, 27, in June, setting off new concerns that Egypt-Israel relations would sour after the removal of President Hosni Mubarak.
Grapel was volunteering at a legal aid group in Cairo when he was arrested and accused of spying for Israel during the uprising that overthrew Mubarak in February. Israel denied the allegations.
All of the 25 were imprisoned on criminal charges, mostly drug-related. Israel said security prisoners were not included in the deal.
Three minors were the first to cross into Egypt. Interviewed by Egypt's state television, two of them said they were arrested after illegally crossing into Israel to sell contraband cigarettes.
Grapel made no secret of his Israeli background and entered Egypt under his real name. His Facebook page had photos of him in an Israeli military uniform. The arrest was ridiculed even in Egypt, where hostility toward Israel runs high.
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments