Released from Iraq after 11 years, Jewish man heads to J’lem yeshiva

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Benjamin Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian who spent 11 years imprisoned in Iraq on a death sentence following a fatal self-defense incident, was released and is now traveling to Jerusalem to study at the Aish yeshiva. His release was secured through a traditional reconciliation agreement involving a $250,000 compensation to the victim’s family, underscoring international efforts to free prisoners held under politically sensitive circumstances.

Benjamin Hassin, a Jewish man imprisoned in Iraq for 11 years, was released from a prison in Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday and is now en route to Jerusalem, where he plans to study at the Aish yeshiva. Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian in his early 30s, was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and has lived in Israel and Canada before returning to Israel as a teenager.

In 2014, Hassin traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan to visit his grandparents and reportedly joined the Kurdish Peshmerga militia, which was engaged in defending its towns against ISIS. The following year, while attempting to leave the region, he was involved in an incident with a taxi driver who recognized him speaking Hebrew and threatened him upon realizing Hassin was Israeli. Hassin, who was armed, said he acted in self-defense and shot the driver, who died several days later. Hassin was subsequently arrested, charged with murder, and sentenced to death.

The details of Hassin’s detention surfaced publicly over a year after his arrest when Israel’s then-deputy minister for regional cooperation, Ayoub Kara, posted on social media about collaborating with Hassin’s father, Ilan Hassin, to secure his son’s release. Following this disclosure, various international Jewish organizations became involved in efforts to free him.

In November 2025, a sulha agreement—a traditional reconciliation process—was reached. The death sentence was annulled after $250,000 was raised at the request of Iraqi authorities to compensate the victim’s family. Prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz indicated the funds helped persuade the family to accept the settlement. Despite this development, Hassin remained imprisoned until his release this week.

The latest step toward his freedom is credited to former Israeli foreign ministry official Eyal Sisso and lawyer Alan Lowy, who reportedly made frequent trips to Sulaymaniyah to negotiate on Hassin’s behalf. Following his release, Hassin was recorded reciting the Jewish “Sheheyanu” prayer as he prepared to leave Iraq.

Hassin’s journey is expected to culminate in Jerusalem before Shabbat, where the Aish yeshiva will assist him in restarting his life after enduring torture, physical abuse, and severe mistreatment during his imprisonment. Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, emphasized the significance of Hassin’s desire to study Torah after such a prolonged ordeal, noting the Jewish commandment of Pidyon Shvu’im, which honors the redemption of captives, especially those persecuted for their faith or connection to Israel.

Rabbi Dovid Rosman, dean of the Aish Educational Institute, affirmed the community’s commitment to supporting Hassin. “He is inspired to study, to learn Torah, and we will be welcoming him with open arms,” Rosman said, highlighting the special care that Hassin will receive as he adjusts to life following his release.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.