Family of Palestinian American Teen Held in Israel Demands Independent Health Check
TL/DR –
Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American boy, has been held in an Israeli prison since February under allegations of throwing rocks at settlers in the occupied West Bank. His family, who have no direct access to him, is pleading for an independent doctor’s assessment after alarming reports of his condition from a U.S. embassy official who noted weight loss and dark circles around his eyes. The family has accused the Trump administration of not doing enough to secure his release, despite allegations of human rights abuses in Israeli prisons, and they are requesting he be hospitalized and evaluated by a third party.
Demand for Independent Medical Assessment of Detained Palestinian-American Teenager
The family of Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian-American teenager detained in Israel since February, is calling for an independent doctor to evaluate his health condition following distressing reports about his prison situation. Mohammed’s Uncle, Zeyad Kadur, reported an official from the US embassy in Israel visited the detained 16-year-old last week at Ofer Prison and expressed concern over the teenager’s health, noting weight loss and dark circles under his eyes.
Concerns Over Slow Legal Proceedings
Despite US lawmakers and rights groups advocating for Mohammed’s release, Israel has denied this, and the Trump administration has been accused of insufficient action to secure his return. Accused by Israeli authorities of throwing rocks at settlers in the occupied West Bank – a charge he denies – Ibrahim’s case is progressing slowly through Israel’s military justice system. Rights advocates criticize this system, part of Israel’s apartheid regime, for its near-total conviction rate for Palestinian defendants.
Family’s Distress Over Lack of Access
Mohammed’s family are deeply troubled by their inability to visit or communicate with him while he is in Israeli prison, relying solely on US embassy updates. The teenager’s father reported earlier this year that Mohammed has suffered significant weight loss and contracted scabies, a contagious skin infection, during his detention. Kadur, Mohammed’s uncle, also expressed concern over the teenager’s mental health.
Mohammed’s Arrest and Subsequent Developments
Mohammed, hailing from Florida, was visiting Palestine when he was arrested, blindfolded, and beaten – an incident Kadur equates to a “kidnapping”. The US Department of State has not commented on the latest consular visit. When asked about Mohammed’s case during a trip to Israel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he had no news and would work through diplomatic channels, but had nothing to announce.
Demands for Political Will for Mohammed’s Release
Kadur asserted that Mohammed’s case requires political will from Washington for his freedom. The US has negotiated with international adversaries, including Venezuela, Russia, and North Korea, to free detained Americans, and Kadur believes this should be extended to secure Mohammed’s release from Israel, a significant US ally.
Comparison to Other Detention Cases
Highlighting the discrepancy between the US’s effort to free Edan Alexander, a US citizen volunteering for the Israeli army and taken prisoner during Hamas’s 2023 attacks on southern Israel, and Mohammed’s case, Kadur questioned why a 16-year-old accused of minor offenses has been kept in prison for nine months, while an adult voluntarily engaged in military service was able to secure his release. Kadur fears Mohammed’s Palestinian heritage may be influencing the US administration’s lack of action regarding his case.
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