Homeland Security Drops Opposition to Son of Hamas Political Asylum Request

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Homeland Security Drops Opposition to Son of Hamas Political Asylum Request

Contact: Beverly Rykerd, 719-440-2746

SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today in a hearing in United States immigration court in San Diego, prosecutors for Homeland Security chose not to oppose Mosab Hassan Yousef's application for political asylum in the United States. Yousef is the author of the "New York Times" bestselling book, "Son of Hamas," which details his life as a spy for the Shin Bet, Israel's security agency.

This change in heart by Homeland Security comes after Yousef recently gained support from prominent members of Congress, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Israeli Knesset, and a number of other prominent supporters.

The following is a statement from Mr. Yousef about the results of the hearing:

      "I came to the United States because I believe in liberty. The liberty that makes men great. The liberty that makes men free. America is great because of its commitment to the idea that all men are created equal and that freedom is his inalienable right. I wrote the book, Son of Hamas -- which the prosecution used to try to deport me today -- so that people in my country might be encouraged to think freely, and rise above their fear.

      "It was hard for me that statements made in the book might be used to take away my hope of freedom here in the United States, a country that inspires people around the world to pursue freedom.

      "But today, my faith in America is restored. I am very grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for carefully reviewing my case and choosing to withdraw it's opposition to granting me asylum. Thank you for recognizing that my actions in associating with terrorists in Hamas was purely to bring them to justice and save lives in my role as an operative for the Shin Bet.

      "I'm first of all thankful to God, to Jesus Christ, whose teachings changed my heart from hating my enemies, to loving my enemies, and whose ultimate sacrifice for my sake inspired me to risk everything.

      "And I'm so grateful for the many friends I've gained here who have, and continue to, show their faith in me and my desire to work for peace in the Middle East. You've prayed for me, you’ve stood up for me, and you've supported me through this journey. I could not continue on without you. Thank you Sarah Stern and Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET) for your efforts on my behalf. And thank you to my attorney, and to the congressmen and senators who spoke out on my behalf.

      "And I'm especially grateful for my friend, and former Shin Bet handler, Gonen Ben-Itzhak, who revealed his true identity, and traveled here at the risk of his own freedom and safety, to testify on my behalf. Thank you Gonen, my brother.

      "Whatever happens from here, I will continue to fight -- for freedom for my beloved Palestinian brothers and sisters in Palestine, and for peace in the Middle East.
      Thank you."