403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
US Congress Presses Rubio to Free Detained American Teen
(MENAFN) Forty members of Congress, among them six senators, called Tuesday for the immediate release of a 20-year-old American citizen detained in an Israeli military prison, pointing to what they described as her "severe chronic health condition."
The bipartisan group sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing for the release of Sama Safi, a student at Birzeit University who was reportedly seized from her family's residence in the occupied West Bank during military raids carried out overnight on June 2.
"You have a duty to secure the safety and security of US citizens abroad," the lawmakers wrote, calling on the State Department to act before Safi suffers "further irreparable harm." The letter framed the matter as a core US obligation, stating bluntly that her life is "at risk on your watch."
A health crisis, lawmakers say, is being ignored
According to the letter, Safi lives with Familial Mediterranean Fever, a complex chronic illness. The lawmakers said her condition has "rapidly deteriorated" behind bars, with physicians warning she could suffer "life-threatening damage to her internal organs" should her detention continue. Since being returned to custody on Aug. 16 — following a short medical furlough — Safi has "not once received her daily medication," the letter states, and has gone without any medical evaluation.
The legislators also laid out disturbing allegations of abuse, describing what they called a "de facto State policy of organized and widespread torture." Per their account, Safi was shackled and blindfolded and given no food or water during her first 24 hours in custody. The letter further cited "shackling and the throwing of gas and stun grenades" into cramped, poorly ventilated holding cells, adding that enforced "stress positions" left her with severe chest pain.
"These inhumane conditions and violence towards detainees are not unique to one facility," the lawmakers wrote, arguing the mistreatment reflects a broader pattern. They went further in condemning Safi's transfer from the West Bank to Damon military prison near Haifa, calling it a "blatant violation of the 4th Geneva Convention."
State Department response
Back in June, a spokesperson for the State Department told media that officials were "aware of the detention of an American in the West Bank." The spokesperson said the Trump administration takes seriously its duty to assist US citizens overseas and is "monitoring the situation," though declined to provide further specifics, citing privacy concerns.
Palestinian records indicate that roughly 23,000 people have been taken into custody in the occupied territory since the war in Gaza began.
The bipartisan group sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing for the release of Sama Safi, a student at Birzeit University who was reportedly seized from her family's residence in the occupied West Bank during military raids carried out overnight on June 2.
"You have a duty to secure the safety and security of US citizens abroad," the lawmakers wrote, calling on the State Department to act before Safi suffers "further irreparable harm." The letter framed the matter as a core US obligation, stating bluntly that her life is "at risk on your watch."
A health crisis, lawmakers say, is being ignored
According to the letter, Safi lives with Familial Mediterranean Fever, a complex chronic illness. The lawmakers said her condition has "rapidly deteriorated" behind bars, with physicians warning she could suffer "life-threatening damage to her internal organs" should her detention continue. Since being returned to custody on Aug. 16 — following a short medical furlough — Safi has "not once received her daily medication," the letter states, and has gone without any medical evaluation.
The legislators also laid out disturbing allegations of abuse, describing what they called a "de facto State policy of organized and widespread torture." Per their account, Safi was shackled and blindfolded and given no food or water during her first 24 hours in custody. The letter further cited "shackling and the throwing of gas and stun grenades" into cramped, poorly ventilated holding cells, adding that enforced "stress positions" left her with severe chest pain.
"These inhumane conditions and violence towards detainees are not unique to one facility," the lawmakers wrote, arguing the mistreatment reflects a broader pattern. They went further in condemning Safi's transfer from the West Bank to Damon military prison near Haifa, calling it a "blatant violation of the 4th Geneva Convention."
State Department response
Back in June, a spokesperson for the State Department told media that officials were "aware of the detention of an American in the West Bank." The spokesperson said the Trump administration takes seriously its duty to assist US citizens overseas and is "monitoring the situation," though declined to provide further specifics, citing privacy concerns.
Palestinian records indicate that roughly 23,000 people have been taken into custody in the occupied territory since the war in Gaza began.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment