The case of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American detained by Israel, has sparked widespread calls for his release.
Mohammed’s family, advocacy groups, lawmakers, and community members are urging the US government to push Israel to free the teenager, who has been imprisoned without trial for over six months.
According to his family, Mohammed was arrested in February during an Israeli raid on his family’s home in the West Bank. He was accused of throwing stones at Israeli settlers, an accusation that he denies.
Since his arrest, Mohammed has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and contracted scabies, a skin infection that causes extreme itching and rashes across the body.
The case has gained attention in recent weeks, with Congress members and rights groups urging President Trump to push for Mohammed’s freedom.
On Tuesday, more than 100 advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), IfNotNow, A New Policy, and Pax Christi USA, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for Mohammed’s release.
“Mohammed is an American child with a community in Florida who cares about him deeply,” the letter said. “It is the responsibility of the US government to protect all American children, including Palestinian-Americans.”
Congresswoman Kathy Castor, who represents an area that includes the city of Tampa, has also called for Mohammed’s safe release.
“Mohammed is a child, an American citizen, and a Floridian,” Castor said in a statement. “I urge the Trump Administration to do everything in its power to obtain the release of Mohammed Ibrahim.”
Mohammed’s family has expressed dismay at the US government’s seeming unwillingness to protect its citizens from Israel. Zeyad Kadur, Mohammed’s uncle, drew a contrast between the teenager’s ongoing detention and the case of Israeli official Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, who was released on bond in the US and allowed to leave the country despite facing serious child sex crimes.
“Mohammed is accused of allegedly throwing a rock; an Israeli was arrested on paedophile charges in Las Vegas, and he flew back to Israel,” Kadur said. “Why does that double standard need to be there, even when a child is involved?”
The US Department of State has declined to comment in detail on Mohammed’s case, citing privacy concerns.
As Israel carries out a military assault in Gaza that leading rights groups have described as a genocide, its troops have also been stepping up their attacks in the West Bank. Settler violence has also been on the rise in the territory.
The cases of Mohammed and his cousin Sayfollah, who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July, show that US citizens are not spared, their families say.
“We hold this passport,” Leali Shalabi, Mohammed’s cousin, said. “We pay our taxes. But where is our protection?” Shalabi questioned Trump’s “America First” motto, saying that his backing of Israel undermines US interests. “When it’s people who look like us, we’re not being put first,” she said.
The case of Mohammed Ibrahim highlights the complexities and challenges faced by Palestinian-Americans who are caught in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the US government continues to provide billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, the case raises questions about the US government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, particularly those of Palestinian descent.
In conclusion, the detention of Mohammed Ibrahim by Israel has sparked widespread calls for his release.
As the US government continues to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is essential that it prioritizes the safety and well-being of its citizens, including Palestinian-Americans.
The case of Mohammed Ibrahim serves as a reminder of the need for greater accountability and transparency in the treatment of Palestinian-Americans by Israeli authorities.