Assalamu alaikum - US lawmakers call for answers on Palestinian‑American teen held in Israeli detention
Assalamu alaikum - A group of Democratic lawmakers has asked the US secretary of state to work for the release of a 16‑year‑old Palestinian‑American who has been held by Israeli military forces for eight months.
Mohammed Ibrahim was arrested in February during a raid on his family home near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The dual citizen was 15 at the time. Reports say he has lost a lot of weight and is facing health issues.
In a letter sent to the secretary of state and copied to the US ambassador in Israel, 27 senators and representatives said they are deeply concerned about how Mohammed is being treated. They reminded officials that the safety of US citizens abroad should be a top priority and urged direct engagement with the Israeli government to secure his release. They also asked for details on what steps the US government has taken and gave a deadline of Nov. 3 for a response.
The letter was led by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost, with other signatories including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Mohammed has been accused of throwing stones at Israeli settlers, which he denies. He was first held in Megiddo Prison and later moved to Ofer Prison. In testimony shared with Defense for Children International - Palestine, he described being bound and blindfolded at arrest and beaten with rifle butts during transport for questioning.
He also described very small daily meals - breakfast of a few pieces of bread and a spoonful of labneh, and lunch of a cup of rice, sausage and pieces of bread - and said he has lost significant weight and developed scabies.
Human rights groups have long criticized Israel for detaining Palestinian children and trying them in military courts rather than civilian ones. Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military law, and minors are often processed through those military systems.
May Allah grant ease and justice to the family and protect all children affected by conflict.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/