In 2014, Odeh was sentenced to 18 months in prison for not revealing her criminal record when applying for a visa and asylum. However, the verdict in that case was overturned. Facing a second trial earlier this year, she reached a deal with the US government whereby she would not have to serve jail time, but would have to leave the country.
In April, Odeh was a speaker at a conference held by the anti-Israel “Jewish Voice for Peace” (JVP) organisation. JVP has continuously defended Odeh, lauding her as “a feminist leader in the Palestinian and Arab-American community in Chicago”, who “survived decades of Israeli and US government persecution and oppression”.
In a statement released by the Joffe family at the time of the conference, they described Jewish Voice for Peace as “another deeply misguided so-called ‘Jewish’ organisation.”
“She [Odeh] will soon be forgotten by her supporters who have so misguidedly championed her,” they said.
“But the memory of Edward and Leon will live on forever.”
