Palestinian Anglican Layan Nasir Released After Eight-Month Detention

The release of Layan Nasir, a prominent Anglican Palestinian woman, has been met with widespread relief and celebration among Christian communities. Her detention by Israeli authorities was marked by ambiguity, sparking international attention and concern.

Layan Nasir, associated with St Peter’s Anglican Church in Birzeit located in the occupied West Bank, faced her first arrest in 2021. She was accused of affiliating with the Democratic Progressive Student Pole (DPSP), a left-wing organization outlawed by Israel. Although initially detained for two months, she was subsequently released on bail. The case seemed trapped in legal uncertainty and never reached trial.

Nasir’s ordeal continued when she was taken into administrative detention again in April 2024. The detention, lasting eight months, was justified by claims of her posing a security threat, yet no formal charges were filed.

In 2025, Nasir found herself imprisoned once more under vague circumstances. After enduring another eight-month period in detention, she has now been freed.

Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, shared the sentiment of joy on Facebook, describing her release as “joyful news”.

The Very Rev. Richard Sewell, Dean of St George’s College in Jerusalem, provided more insight to Church Times, recounting how Nasir likened the prison environment to “a cemetery for the living”. Her concerns for fellow inmates remain strong, despite her newfound freedom.

Sewell also described the atmosphere surrounding her release, noting, “There were blaring car horns along with singing and chanting, creating a joyful atmosphere. She looked so thin, having suffered greatly in prison, but Layan’s smile was infectious and everyone experienced an explosion of joy and relief.”

Nasir’s arrest has previously attracted criticism from Anglican leaders, who argued that it lacked “any legal or moral justification”.