Yaakov Harari, a 21-year-old Israeli-Argentine citizen, was released last night from prison in Venezuela after more than a year of being held in prison - and landed in Israel today (Tuesday).
Harari was held by the Maduro regime in very difficult conditions, without due process and without medical treatment, alongside other local and foreign prisoners. Throughout his imprisonment, the Department for Israelis Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied and cared for Yaakov Harari and was in constant contact with his family.
Since there are no diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Israel, the Foreign Ministry worked, inter alia through the Israeli Embassy in Colombia, with foreign embassies and diplomatic officials in a number of countries friendly to Israel, in order to allow visits to Harari in prison, to maintain contact with him, and to assist him throughout his imprisonment.
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Among other things, photos of his grandson were sent to him through the same diplomatic sources in order to maintain human contact and provide moral support.
Harari's case was raised in political talks, and various diplomatic channels were used with several countries to promote his release. The Coordinator for Prisoners of War and Missing Persons in the Prime Minister's Office, Gal Hirsch, also worked with international channels to promote the issue.
Last night, Harari's family was informed of his release, and the excitement was great.
Harari was flown last night on a direct flight from Caracas to Rome, where he received close escort from the Israeli embassy staff in Italy, and from there he continued on his way to Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Harari and his daughters, Yael and Ya'ara, immediately after his landing. Netanyahu congratulated the family and wished Harari a return to a normal life.
""I wished Yaakov health and a speedy recovery after the nightmare they went through," the Prime Minister said.
Harari's daughters expressed their appreciation to the State of Israel, the Jewish community in Caracas, and the state's envoys for the relentless effort to bring their father home.
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry thanked the American government and the governments of Germany, Austria, and Italy for the crucial assistance they provided to Israel in the restitution process.
