Over 40 US Lawmakers Urge Secretary Rubio to Act for Release of American Detained by Israel

More than 40 US members of Congress have signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to press for the release of Sama Safi, a 20-year-old American citizen detained by Israeli forces since June. The lawmakers, led by Representative Rashida Tlaib, warned that the health of the Palestinian American student is deteriorating under “harsh conditions” while in Israeli custody.

The letter states: “Every day Sama remains wrongfully detained under these inhumane conditions, she is at increasing risk of irreparable, life-threatening consequences. Her life is in danger under your watch. We urge you to act quickly and use every tool at your disposal to secure Sama Safi’s immediate release so she can receive urgent medical care and return to her family, her education, her life, and the freedom that any 20-year-old deserves.”

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, and dozens of House members also signed the letter. Israeli forces detained Safi, a Birzeit University student, from her home in the West Bank during a pre-dawn raid nearly three months ago and have held her without charges. Safi is one of four young women arrested in a crackdown on protests against Israel’s occupation in June.

In the letter to Secretary Rubio, the lawmakers highlighted that Safi suffers from familial Mediterranean fever, a genetic disorder causing fevers and inflammation, but has not received regular medication. The Palestinian American detainee has also been moved between multiple detention facilities. The letter described: “She has recounted repeated verbal abuse, being held in painful positions, and the appearance of a fast-spreading infectious skin condition, rats, and mattresses smelling of feces.”

The US State Department said it does not comment on lawmakers’ letters and declined to discuss details of Safi’s case citing privacy. A State Department spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the administration of President Donald Trump “has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens” and asserted they are “monitoring the situation” and will “support Americans detained abroad with access to adequate medical care, humane treatment, and regular consular visits.”

Raed Jarrar, advocacy director for the US-based group DAWN, argued that Safi’s detention should trigger suspension of military aid to Israel under Washington’s regulations, including the Leahy Law. He said: “Sama Safi is an American citizen. Her government has abandoned her. It is the State Department’s job to fight for her release, but they are refusing to do that job. US law requires more than advocacy. Under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Leahy Law, prolonged detention without charges is a gross violation of human rights, and Washington must cut all military aid to the Israeli units responsible for her detention.”

Earlier this month, the Israeli military told Florida’s WMNF radio that they had arrested four female “suspects” in the West Bank after “inciting hostile terrorist activities and other terrorism-related activities.”