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AJP Action calls on the Trump administration and Congress to take the necessary steps to hold Israeli authorities accountable for this blatant violation of Shaden’s rights

Dear Email,

Yesterday, we called on Virginia residents to demand their members of Congress and Senators take action for Shaden Qous, a 27-year-old Afro-Palestinian American artist, student, and activist from East Jerusalem who was unjustly detained by Israeli forces. We are relieved to share that Shaden has been released on bail. 

In moments like these, demanding accountability and being relentless in our advocacy is a responsibility. Whether the victim is a U.S. citizen or not, it’s the least we can do, especially when our tax dollars continue to bankroll the occupation, apartheid system, and the rest of Israel’s human rights violations. Nonetheless, this fight is far from over.

Despite her release, Shaden is still facing politically motivated charges of “incitement” over her social media posts and remains entangled in Israel’s repressive legal system. Not only did Israeli forces raid her home, confiscate her personal belongings, and detain her arbitrarily, but they also denied her the fundamental right to attend her father’s funeral—a calculated act of cruelty and psychological torment.

Shaden’s case is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader pattern of systematic repression targeting Palestinians, including those with U.S. citizenship. The U.S. must stop disregarding these blatant violations of human rights.

AJP Action calls on the Trump administration and Congress to take immediate steps to hold Israeli authorities accountable and demand justice for Shaden, including:

• Ensuring all charges against her are entirely dismissed
• Holding Israel accountable for its ongoing practice of arbitrarily detaining Palestinians, including U.S. citizens
• Ending the flow of U.S. taxpayer dollars that fund Israel’s continued human rights abuses

Shaden may be out on bail, but justice has yet to be served. We will not stop fighting until every charge is dropped, and we will continue holding those responsible to account.

In solidarity,
Americans for Justice in Palestine Action

On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM AJP Action <[email protected]> wrote:

Israel detains U.S. citizen arbitrarily

Dear Email,

A U.S. citizen from Virginia, Shaden Qous, has been arbitrarily detained by Israeli forces since January 6, 2025, following five days of house arrest and a long, intense interrogation. Shaden, a 22-year-old Afro-Palestinian artist, activist, and law student, was forcibly taken from her home in East Jerusalem, had her belongings confiscated, and is now being held in Ofer Military Prison on charges of "incitement" over social media posts.

Adding to the cruelty of her detention, Israeli authorities denied her the right to mourn her father, who suddenly passed away last week. They deliberately delayed her release on bail until after his funeral, robbing her of the chance to say goodbye.

TAKE ACTION NOW

The U.S. government has a duty to protect its citizens from arbitrary imprisonment and mistreatment by a foreign government—especially one that receives billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars annually.

We need Virginia’s U.S. Representatives and Senators to take immediate action to demand Shaden’s release. Call and email your members of Congress today and urge them to demand Shaden’s immediate release. Every call and email matters. 

In solidarity,
Americans for Justice in Palestine Action

Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization advocating for legislation supporting the human rights of the Palestinian people and endorsing candidates for office who support those rights.

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