Trial is delayed again, and the Trump Administration continues to abandon a Florida teen in Israeli prison Dear Email, For over nine months, Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old American citizen from Florida, has been illegally imprisoned and tortured by Israel. Now, his trial has been postponed to December 15th, a deliberate delay that will force him to spend one day shy of ten months behind bars for an accusation of throwing stones, a charge he only "confessed" to after being beaten and extorted.  Mohammed was only 15 when he was blindfolded and taken by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) from his family's home in the occupied West Bank. According to Defense for Children International - Palestine, he has suffered “deplorable conditions,” including being “beaten with rifle butts” and subjected to “starvation” and medical neglect. Israel’s systematic torture has had a devastating effect, causing him to lose one-third of his body weight. He also contracted scabies in prison and was then thrown into isolation. For the entire duration of his detainment, his family in Florida has been completely denied contact with him, unable to speak to or see their son outside of a courtroom camera. Mohammed's case is a horrific injustice, but it is not an exception because of his American identity. Since October 7th, 2023, Israel has abducted over 18,500 Palestinians, including workers, doctors, journalists, and students. To date, at least 360 Palestinian children are detained without charge or trial in Israeli military prisons, facing the same system of torture and abuse. No child, Palestinian or American, should ever endure this. While Mohammed suffers, elected officials have failed him. His own representative, Mike Haridopolos, has not met with the family or made a single public statement demanding his release. And after the brutal, settler-led killing of Mohammed’s cousin, another American citizen named Sayfollah, Mike Huckabee promised the family he would fight for Mohammed's freedom, yet he has done nothing. Sayfollah is one of six U.S. citizens killed by Israeli forces or settlers since 2023. The State Department’s apathetic response to these cases is a glaring example of both the United States’ and Israel’s dehumanization of Palestinian life. Last weekend, advocates held seven statewide protests across Florida, sending a clear message that we see this injustice and we will not be silent. For every day Mohammed continues to be held in prison, we will apply more pressure. Take action now, and urge your loved ones to do the same. In solidarity, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action |
