improved later on. While imprisoned, Azzam listened to a transistor radio. He secretly listened to Israeli radio broadcasts when the guards were not present. Freed by Egypt After Shabak (Israel's internal security agency) head Avi Dichter had negotiated with his Egyptian counterparts, Azzam was released on December 5, 2004. In return, Israel freed six jailed Egyptian students who were accused of planning terrorist attacks. Azzam expressed gratitude to the government of Israel, and to Ariel Sharon in particular, telling him "I love you very much," Azzam said. "I told my brothers that if I don't get out when Ariel Sharon is prime minister, I never will. I am lucky to have been born in Israel and I'm proud of it." An official Israeli government press release stated, Prime Minister Sharon reiterated his deep gratitude to Egyptian President Mubarak and to Gen. Soliman and emphasized that this humanitarian gesture would make an additional contribution towards the deepening of bilateral relations. Later life Azzam returned to his home village of Maghar. In 2005, he lit the torch during the main ceremony of Israeli Independence Day. He found work as a branch manager for the Israeli company "Ace Buy-and-Build". Later, he found work as a maintenance man in the Haifa oil refineries. He also participated in Survivor 10: V.I.P, the sixth season of the Israeli reality show Survivor. See also Ouda Tarabin Ilan Grapel affair Lavon Affair Moshe Marzouk Naama Issachar affair References 1962 births Living people Israeli Druze Arab citizens of Israel Egypt–Israel relations Survivor (Israeli TV series) contestants Textile workers