In brief
In Florida, a family is grappling with grief following the violent death of 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet while simultaneously pleading for the release of his cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim. Detained for eight months in an Israeli prison for alleged resistance against settlers, advocates highlight concerns over his treatment and the lack of communication with his family. The U.S. State Department is urged to act on his behalf as the family fears for his health and safety in detention.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A Florida family already devastated by the violent death of 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet is now calling for U.S. leaders to intervene on behalf of his cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim. Ibrahim has been in an Israeli prison for eight months since his arrest earlier this year.
Since his arrest for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli settlers while visiting family in the West Bank, Mohammed's relatives and advocacy groups have been actively seeking his release. His uncle, Zeyad Kadur, expressed the emotional toll on the family, stating: This is about two American sisters, one who just buried her son and her older sister going to give her support... they’re going through this together..
Sayfollah Musallet's father, Kamel, described the persistent sorrow they experience. It’s been over three months and there’s not a day we don’t cry, he shared.
Mohammed's detention began in February when he was arrested in a family home in Ramallah, Israel. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, he faced abusive treatment during his arrest and subsequent interrogation.
Initially, I refrained from confessing, but the interrogator threatened that if I did not comply, he would instruct the soldiers to beat me, an affidavit from Mohammed revealed.
Concerns regarding his physical and mental health continue to grow as organizations advocate for his release and highlight the poor conditions in Israeli prisons. As the family remains in the dark about his situation, they rely on intermittent updates from the U.S. Embassy.
In the face of these challenges, over 100 civil rights organizations have joined the call for action, urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to intervene and secure Mohammed's release.
As the family navigates their immense grief and the uncertainty surrounding Mohammed, Kadur reflects on the disparities in treatment based on identity, questioning, If his name wasn’t Mohammed, would he still be there?
