Campaign demands release of Palestinian-American student held in West Bank

The Institute for Middle East Understanding on Thursday launched a campaign urging US senators to press for the release of Sama Safi, a Palestinian-American student detained by Israeli forces during a predawn raid on her West Bank home earlier this week. The advocacy group warned that "her life is in danger" and demanded the US government "act now for her immediate and safe release," urging Americans to contact their representatives.

Israeli soldiers entered the family residence around 3 a.m. on June 2, forcibly removed Safi and transferred her first to Ofer prison and later to an interrogation center in Jerusalem, according to the advocacy group. The campaign and Safi’s relatives have stated she suffers from a chronic condition requiring daily medication, warning that her continued detention endangers her safety.

US government response

The US State Department confirmed Thursday that it was aware of Safi’s detention, with a spokesperson stating that the administration "takes its commitment to assist Americans abroad seriously" and is monitoring the situation. The official added that the department would offer no further comment due to "privacy considerations," according to Anadolu.

Wave of arrests targeting students

Safi was detained alongside three other female students from Birzeit University near Ramallah, Amani Sarahneh, media officer for the Palestinian Prisoners' Society, told Anadolu earlier this week. Sarahneh noted that Israeli authorities have intensified arrests of university students since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, with Palestinian figures indicating that around 23,000 Palestinians have been detained in the occupied territory during that period.