The State of Palestine has been thrown into mourning with the passage of Fatima Mohamed Bernawi, a national freedom fighter.
Bernawi, who is half Nigeria and half Palestine died Thursday at the age of 83.
She was the first Palestinian detainee affiliated to the Fatah movement.
She was arrested on 10/19/1967, along with her mother.
Until her death on Thursday morning, she was a member of Fatah’s advisory council.
Announcing her death, the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Nigeria said the whole country has been thrown into mourning with the passage of Bernawi, who he described as a great nationalist.
The statement reads in part, “The State of Palestine mourns the great national freedom fighter, Fatima Mohamed Bernawi, who passed away this morning, Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the age of 83.
” Bernawi is considered one of the most important Palestinian leaders and is widely respected by all among the Palestinians society. Until her sad departure today, she was a member of Fatah’s advisory council.”
The freedom fighter Fatima Mohamed Bernawi was born in Jerusalem in 1939 to a Nigerian father, of origins from Borno State in northern Nigeria, and a Palestinian mother. Her father participated in the 1936 revolution. Fatima studied nursing and then joined as a fighter in the ranks of the Palestinian revolution since the early stages.
She was the first Palestinian detainee affiliated to the Fatah movement in the Israeli occupation prisons, as she was arrested on 10/19/1967, along with her mother who was also arrested for a month, and her sister for a year. She was sentenced to life in prison, and remained there until 11/11/1977, when she was released and deported outside Palestine.
In exile, Bernawi joined again in the ranks of the Palestinian revolution. After the establishment of the National Authority in 1994, she returned to the homeland and assumed the leadership of the Palestinian Women Police.
President Mahmoud Abbas awarded her the Military Order of the Star of Honor Medal in appreciation of her pioneer struggling role and sacrifices for her country, people and revolution.
