The case of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American detained in Israel for nearly six months without trial, has raised serious concerns about human rights and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Mohammed’s family denies allegations that he threw rocks at Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, and they are worried about his deteriorating health.
Mohammed’s father, Zaher Ibrahim, expressed fear for his son’s wellbeing, saying, “Of course, we have fear. When you can’t visit him and you can’t get a phone call from him, what do you know? We don’t know if he’s dead… There’s nothing we know.” The family has received reports that Mohammed is suffering from severe weight loss and scabies, a skin infection caused by mites that leads to extreme itching and rashes.
The US State Department has confirmed that it provides consular assistance to detained US citizens, including visits and medical attention. However, Mohammed’s family feels that the US government is not doing enough to protect its citizens from Israeli abuses. “It’s obvious we get swept under the rug. And as far as getting help or investigations or some type of justice, we don’t know,” said Zeyad Kadur, Mohammed’s uncle.
Mohammed’s case is not an isolated incident. According to Defense for Children International-Palestine, Israel detains approximately 700 Palestinian children annually. The organization has documented cases of children being held without charges or trial, and subjected to ill-treatment and torture. In March, 17-year-old detainee Walid Ahmad died in Megiddo Prison due to “prolonged malnutrition”, highlighting the dire conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli military has regularly carried out deadly raids and home demolitions across the West Bank, and settlers often attack Palestinian communities with impunity. This two-tiered system of justice, where settlers are rarely held accountable for their actions, has been criticized by human rights groups as a form of apartheid.
Mohammed’s family is urging the US government to secure his release and ensure his safety while in detention. His uncle, Kadur, emphasized that Mohammed is “just a child” who loves life and was looking forward to working at the family’s ice cream shop in Florida. “There’s not a law, there’s not a country, there’s not anywhere in the world where children are imprisoned and that country calls itself a democracy and doesn’t have visitations or phone calls, or any method – even letter writing – to [contact] the parents,” Kadur said.
The case of Mohammed Ibrahim highlights the need for greater accountability and protection of human rights in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the US continues to provide billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, it is essential to ensure that this aid is not used to perpetuate human rights abuses.