Welch Leads Eleven Senators in Demanding Trump Admin Secure Release of American High School Student Abducted and Held by Israeli Forces Without Charge  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led eleven of his Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration secure the release of Abdalkareem Issa Ahmed Safi, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen and high school student, currently detained at Israel’s notorious Ofer prison. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, the Senators emphasize that holding an American citizen for months without charge or due process is a violation of internationally recognized human rights, and call on the administration to directly engage with the Israeli government to secure Abdalkareem’s immediate release.  

The Senators requested a response from Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee no later than November 6, 2026, given the conditions of Abdalkareem’s arbitrary detention. Abdalkareem has reported being mistreated by Israeli military forces and has contracted scabies in Ofer prison. To date, the U.S. Embassy has not been allowed to bring Abdalkareem vitamins or medicine.  

Abdalkareem was abducted by Israeli forces around 3 a.m. on June 29, 2026, from his family home in the town of Jalazone, located in the occupied West Bank. He was detained just days before his 18th birthday, while in the middle of completing final high school exams.  

On July 2, 2026, Israeli authorities issued an administrative detention order against Abdalkareem based on secret information not disclosed to his lawyers or family. “Administrative detention” is an abusive procedure used by Israeli authorities in the Israeli military courts whereby thousands of Palestinian civilians are held without charge or trial and without a plan to bring them to trial. Israeli authorities base most administrative detention on claims of secret information that is never seen by Palestinian detainees. At the same time, Israeli settlers occupying homes adjacent to the Palestinian villages are granted civil trials with evidence and due process. Abdalkareem’s administrative detention order expires on October 28, 2026, but can be renewed indefinitely. 

“Abdalkareem’s arbitrary detention without due process is a violation of internationally recognized human rights. Ofer prison is the same facility where another American citizen, Mohammed Ibrahim, was previously held as a minor. While in detention he lost over a third of his body weight and contracted multiple illnesses, including scabies,” wrote the Senators. “On July 23, 2026, a congressional request was made to U.S. Consular Services for multivitamins and prophylactic scabies medication for Abdalkareem. On July 31, 2026, his father, Issa Safi, made a similar request. On September 23, 2026, we learned that Abdelkareem has now contracted scabies while in custody.” 

The Senators continued: “Since Abdalkareem’s detention, his father has repeatedly sought consular assistance and basic information about his son’s welfare. On July 5, 2026, he contacted the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizen Services, requesting immediate intervention. We understand that Embassy staff spoke with him the same day and, in a July 8, 2026, email, indicated that they had requested permission to visit Abdalkareem and were seeking information from Israeli authorities. Yet no further updates were provided until Issa followed up on July 21, 2026, expressing urgent concern about deteriorating health conditions inside Ofer prison, including widespread malnutrition and scabies outbreaks, which he feared would put his son at serious risk. After that inquiry Embassy staff confirmed that a visit had been scheduled.” 

“We understand that Embassy staff visited Abdalkareem at Ofer prison on July 23, 2026. During the visit, Abdalkareem reported being beaten during interrogation and expressed concern about missing his exams, which determine placement in university for Palestinian students. Further, he has been denied communication with his family and has had limited access to legal counsel,” the Senators continued. “We understand that the Embassy requested information from the Israeli authorities about whether Abdalkareem had been examined by medical staff upon his arrival and whether he was allowed access to the books required for his exams. In recent communications, Embassy officials informed the family that they have requested another visit, but that it would likely not occur until November.” 

On July 24, 2026, the Bureau of Consular Affairs responded to a congressional inquiry that the Department “will provide all appropriate consular services” to Abdalkareem, including “necessary medication or medical attention, working to ensure detained U.S. citizens receive fair and transparent treatment, including access to legal counsel, and facilitating authorized communication with their family or others.” 

The Senators concluded: “The State Department has repeatedly claimed that it ‘has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.’ We share that view and urge you to match rhetoric with action by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure Abdalkareem’s immediate release and ensure his administrative detention order is not renewed. We further request that you inform the relevant Israeli authorities that detaining an American citizen in an Israeli military prison, without being informed of the allegations against him and without any opportunity to contest his detention, is a violation of international law and unacceptable conduct by a close ally of the United States.” 

Joining Senator Welch on this letter are Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). 

Read and download the lawmakers’ full letter to Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee. 

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