Palestinian-American Teen Detained by Israel for Over Five Months Seeks Release
The family of Muhammad Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American detained by Israel for throwing rocks at soldiers, seeks US government assistance to secure his release.
LONDON: A Palestinian-American family is attempting to secure the release of their 16-year-old son, Muhammad Zaher Ibrahim, who has been detained by Israel for over five months.
The Guardian reported that Ibrahim was initially apprehended in February when he was 15 years old, at his family's home in the occupied West Bank.
He was accused by Israeli authorities of throwing rocks at soldiers.
Following his arrest, Ibrahim was blindfolded and handcuffed before being taken to Megiddo Prison in Israel.
According to his family, Ibrahim has lost a significant amount of weight while awaiting trial.
The family resides between their home in Silwad, West Bank, and Palm Bay, Florida.
Zaher Ibrahim reached out to his local Congressman Mike Haridopolos for assistance in securing his son's release.
In his letter, he described Megiddo Prison as notorious for its brutality and suffering, emphasizing the exhaustion of all local efforts and their need for support from US officials.
The State Department informed Haridopolos's office that the US Embassy in Israel is actively following standard procedures regarding Ibrahim's case.
A spokesperson for the department emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of US citizens abroad.
This case has drawn attention due to the previous alleged killing of Ibrahim's cousin, 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet, by Israeli settlers in July.
Musallet was a US citizen who visited relatives before his death.
The detention of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons remains a contentious issue, with hundreds currently held without charge or contact with their families.
According to Defense for Children International-Palestine, as of March 2023, there were 323 Palestinian children aged 12-17 in Israeli custody.
Between 2005 and 2010, 835 Palestinian children within the same age group were tried by Israeli military courts for stone-throwing, with only one being acquitted.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, a director at Defense for Children International-Palestine, highlighted the complete disconnection of these children from the outside world and the recent worsening of conditions in Israeli prisons since October 2023.
The family has received communication from the State Department indicating that embassy staff have visited Ibrahim in prison but were restricted by Israel's contact policies.
During these visits, concerns about his weight loss and treatment for scabies contracted in jail were noted.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed their efforts to provide consular assistance, including facilitating authorized communications with family members and ensuring access to necessary medical attention.
The Guardian reported that Ibrahim was initially apprehended in February when he was 15 years old, at his family's home in the occupied West Bank.
He was accused by Israeli authorities of throwing rocks at soldiers.
Following his arrest, Ibrahim was blindfolded and handcuffed before being taken to Megiddo Prison in Israel.
According to his family, Ibrahim has lost a significant amount of weight while awaiting trial.
The family resides between their home in Silwad, West Bank, and Palm Bay, Florida.
Zaher Ibrahim reached out to his local Congressman Mike Haridopolos for assistance in securing his son's release.
In his letter, he described Megiddo Prison as notorious for its brutality and suffering, emphasizing the exhaustion of all local efforts and their need for support from US officials.
The State Department informed Haridopolos's office that the US Embassy in Israel is actively following standard procedures regarding Ibrahim's case.
A spokesperson for the department emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of US citizens abroad.
This case has drawn attention due to the previous alleged killing of Ibrahim's cousin, 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet, by Israeli settlers in July.
Musallet was a US citizen who visited relatives before his death.
The detention of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons remains a contentious issue, with hundreds currently held without charge or contact with their families.
According to Defense for Children International-Palestine, as of March 2023, there were 323 Palestinian children aged 12-17 in Israeli custody.
Between 2005 and 2010, 835 Palestinian children within the same age group were tried by Israeli military courts for stone-throwing, with only one being acquitted.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, a director at Defense for Children International-Palestine, highlighted the complete disconnection of these children from the outside world and the recent worsening of conditions in Israeli prisons since October 2023.
The family has received communication from the State Department indicating that embassy staff have visited Ibrahim in prison but were restricted by Israel's contact policies.
During these visits, concerns about his weight loss and treatment for scabies contracted in jail were noted.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed their efforts to provide consular assistance, including facilitating authorized communications with family members and ensuring access to necessary medical attention.
