https://arab.news/zgspj
- Mohammed Ibrahim, 16, has been held for 8 months since a raid on his family’s home in the occupied West Bank
- Democratic senators and representatives write to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for action to secure release
LONDON: A group of Democratic lawmakers has written to the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, demanding the immediate release of a 16-year-old Palestinian-American who has been held in Israeli military detention for eight months.
Mohammed Ibrahim was taken by Israeli forces in February during a raid on his family home near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The dual citizen, who was 15 when he was detained, is said to have lost a significant amount of weight and be suffering health problems.
In their letter, a copy of which was sent to the US ambassador to Israel, the 27 senators and representatives said they had “grave concern” about the treatment of Ibrahim, The Guardian newspaper reported.
“As we have been told repeatedly, ‘the Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad,’” the lawmakers wrote. “We share that view and urge you to fulfill this responsibility by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure the swift release of this American boy.”
They also demanded to know what efforts were being made by the US government to secure Ibrahim’s release, and gave officials until Nov. 3 to respond.
The letter was led by senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, and representatives Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost. The other signatories included senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Ibrahim was accused of throwing stones at Israeli settlers, an allegation he denies. He was originally held in the notorious Megiddo Prison, before being transferred to Ofer Prison.
In testimony provided to Defense for Children International — Palestine and published his week, the teenager described how Israeli soldiers bound his hands behind his back and blindfolded him during the arrest. He said they beat him with the butts of their rifles while he was being transported for interrogation.
He described the two meager meals he receives each day, including a breakfast comprising small pieces of bread and a spoonful of labneh, and a lunch consisting of a cup of rice, sausage and pieces of bread. In addition to his considerable weight loss, Ibrahim had also contracted scabies.
Israel has long been criticized for detaining children and prosecuting them through military courts. Palestinians in the West Bank are subject to Israeli military law, and are usually tried in military rather than civilian courts.