US Democrats Urge Rubio to Help Secure Release of Palestinian-American Teen Held in Israeli Prison
More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers are calling on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to take action to secure the release of 16-year-old Palestinian-American Mohammed Ibrahim, who has been held in an Israeli prison for nearly eight months.
Ibrahim, a dual citizen of Palestine and the US, was arrested in February at his family's West Bank home when he was just 15 years old. Israeli forces allegedly took him into custody without warning, blindfolded, and handcuffed him. The lawmakers point out that Ibrahim has been denied all contact with the outside world except for visits from US embassy officials.
The letter, led by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost, urges Rubio to engage directly with the Israeli government to secure Ibrahim's swift release. They note that the Department of State has a "no higher priority" than ensuring the safety and security of US citizens abroad.
Ibrahim's detention has been marred by allegations of poor treatment, including being fed extremely insufficient meals and denied access to medical care. His weight has dropped significantly, and he has contracted scabies. The lawmakers express grave concern over his treatment and demand a response by November 3 detailing what efforts the Trump administration has made to secure his release.
The case has sparked outrage among human rights organizations, who have called for Ibrahim's immediate release. More than 100 US human rights groups sent a joint letter to Rubio demanding action on Ibrahim's case.
Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel this week for a 48-hour visit, during which he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lawmakers warn that the US government must take responsibility to prevent further tragedies like the death of Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old Palestinian who died six months after being detained for allegedly throwing rocks.
Ibrahim's family has been in touch only through US embassy staff and former detainees, and his court hearings have been repeatedly postponed. Israel's prison service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers are calling on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to take action to secure the release of 16-year-old Palestinian-American Mohammed Ibrahim, who has been held in an Israeli prison for nearly eight months.
Ibrahim, a dual citizen of Palestine and the US, was arrested in February at his family's West Bank home when he was just 15 years old. Israeli forces allegedly took him into custody without warning, blindfolded, and handcuffed him. The lawmakers point out that Ibrahim has been denied all contact with the outside world except for visits from US embassy officials.
The letter, led by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost, urges Rubio to engage directly with the Israeli government to secure Ibrahim's swift release. They note that the Department of State has a "no higher priority" than ensuring the safety and security of US citizens abroad.
Ibrahim's detention has been marred by allegations of poor treatment, including being fed extremely insufficient meals and denied access to medical care. His weight has dropped significantly, and he has contracted scabies. The lawmakers express grave concern over his treatment and demand a response by November 3 detailing what efforts the Trump administration has made to secure his release.
The case has sparked outrage among human rights organizations, who have called for Ibrahim's immediate release. More than 100 US human rights groups sent a joint letter to Rubio demanding action on Ibrahim's case.
Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel this week for a 48-hour visit, during which he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lawmakers warn that the US government must take responsibility to prevent further tragedies like the death of Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old Palestinian who died six months after being detained for allegedly throwing rocks.
Ibrahim's family has been in touch only through US embassy staff and former detainees, and his court hearings have been repeatedly postponed. Israel's prison service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr. 
he was 15 when he got arrested by israeli forces and now he's been held in a prison for almost 8 months?! that's so unfair 
his family has barely any contact with him and he's being treated poorly too - no proper food or medical care... it's like he's forgotten about human dignity 
and i'm so angry on his behalf 
these us democrats are right to call out marco rubio for not doing enough to help secure his release 
it's crazy that the trumps admin hasn't made any efforts yet, considering ibraheem is a dual citizen of palestine & the US... i just hope something gets done before november 3 and ibraheem can finally get out of there 
! I mean, 16 yrs old Mohammed Ibrahim is stuck in an Israeli prison for 8 months already... that's just not fair 
. His family can't even talk to him unless US embassy people are there... what about human rights, right? 
And the way he's being treated is awful - no good food, no medical care... poor kid's weight is dropping like crazy! 
. Marco Rubio needs to step in and help get this teen released ASAP 
. I mean, we're talking about a US citizen here... shouldn't we be protecting them? 
It's not just a Palestinian issue anymore; it's a human rights issue too 
.
Poor kid needs help, and fast 
. We need more ppl to care about these kinds of stories... otherwise we're just gonna keep seeing injustices like this keep happening 
his fam says he was just taken away from home w/o warning & hes been denied all contact w/ the outside world... poor kid!! 
! u no what's even worse? US dems r callin on marco rubio 2 help get him released ASAP!!! 
they're demandin action b4 nov 3 & alot of human rights orgs r comin 4 his rescue too... 
i just hope marco rubio gets the hint & saves this poor kid!!! 
and the fact that he hasn't even been able to see his family is just... ugh. 
so yeah, i guess the democrats should try anything at this point, but like, don't expect miracles or anything. 
... 16 years old in an Israeli prison? 
The US is all about the safety and security of its citizens abroad, but what about this young dude who's just trying to live his life? 
He's been through hell, from being blindfolded and handcuffed to not getting proper food or medical care... it's a nightmare scenario. 
... if the Trump administration can't even get it right, who will? 
It's time for some real action, not just empty promises or diplomatic visits 
And what about all those human rights groups that are going nuts over this? 
They're right to be outraged, for sure. This kid's got the whole world watching, and we gotta do better 
maybe he can use that time to make some real connections and figure out how to get his cousin released 
️
. the fact that he's been denied proper food and medical care is just heartbreaking 
.
. First off, why was he arrested at 15 without warnin'? That don't sit right with me. And now he's been held in an Israeli prison for like 8 months with no contact from the outside world? Sounds like a setup to me 
no one has any idea how he's doing or if he's even getting the basic necessities like food and water 
it's crazy that his family can only contact him through us embassy staff because of the awful conditions in the prison 
and the politicians who are doing nothing about it need to get their act together 
I mean, come on! 16 years old and already being held captive by the Israeli government? That's like me getting arrested at 15 and being stuck in a time-out room for life... just kidding 
but seriously, this kid's been through way too much already. He's lost weight, got scabies, and is basically living in a prison cell. And all because he was born to a Palestinian family? What's next, they're gonna make him pay taxes too? 
. Who knows, maybe he'll even teach them how to do the floss 
Poor guy needs some serious help ASAP. The fact that he's been denied basic human rights like food & medical care is just heartbreaking 
!