Another Palestinian-American Citizen Abused By Israel with Impunity

AMP Demands The Immediate Release of Abdalkareem Issa Ahmed Safi

American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) demands the immediate release of Abdalkareem Issa Ahmed Safi, an 18-year-old Palestinian-American citizen from Texas. In late June at approximately 3 A.M., Israeli Occupation Forces raided Abdalkareem’s home in Jalazone near Ramallah, where he is now imprisoned in Ofer Prison, a place where widespread abuses are well documented. Abdalkareem joins Sama Safi and Adam Karakrah as the third Palestinian-American citizen to be illegally detained by the IOF without charge or trial.

Abdalkareem’s kidnapping came amidst the backdrop of Israel's systematic targeting of Palestinian high-school students. Each year, as Palestinians prepare for their national high school exams in the early summer, the IOF conducts a series of dehumanizing raids meant to deny Palestinians the right to a dignified education and upend the Palestinian nuclear family.  Abdalkareem was a victim of this notorious practice that has impacted thousands of Palestinians since the inception of Israel’s occupation.

From Sayfollah Musallet, Rachel Corrie, to Shireen Abu Akleh, the systematic killing, abuse, and mistreatment of Palestinian-American citizens is a byproduct of the impunity afforded to Israel. Due to the lack of U.S. accountability over Israel’s genocide and apartheid, the IOF feels it can kidnap, torture, or kill Palestinians at a moment's notice. Hence, Abdalkareem’s kidnapping represents more than a simple detainment of an American citizen; it is emblematic of Israel's genocidal war on Palestinian existence.

Today, it is a detained Palestinian-American; tomorrow it could be a dead one. Too many American citizens have been mistreated by Israel without recourse. The time for accountability is now:

“AMP calls on the Trump administration and the U.S. State Department to immediately intervene and demand Abdalkareem’s release, along with the release of Sama Safi and Adam Karakah. The United States has an obligation to protect its citizens abroad, and Palestinian Americans must be afforded the same protection and urgency as any other American citizen across the world. The U.S. cannot continue providing Israel with unconditional political and military support while American citizens are detained, attacked, and killed with impunity. We will work tirelessly to demand justice and secure the release of all Palestinian-Americans held captive by Israel.” – Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, AMP Executive Director