On Tuesday, August 26, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization will hold a press conference at 12 p.m. at its Tampa office (8076 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL) to demand that the U.S. State Department and Florida’s elected officials call on the Israeli government to immediately release Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian American citizen from Florida who has been held without trial in an Israeli prison for more than six months.
A coalition of nearly 100 U.S. faith-based, human rights and civil rights organizations — including CAIR-Florida — has signed a letter urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to act immediately to secure the release of Florida teen Mohammed Ibrahim, a U.S. citizen who was unjustly imprisoned by the Israeli military at age 15 and remains detained at 16. The letter will be released Tuesday, Aug. 26, and will be available to the media at the news conference.
WHAT: Press Conference Calling for Release of Palestinian American Minor Detained by Israel
WHEN: Tuesday, August 26, at noon (12 p.m.)
WHERE: CAIR-Florida Tampa Office; 8076 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617
(Also streaming live on Instagram: @CAIRFlorida)
WHO:
- Family of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim
- CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director Hiba Rahim
- CAIR-Florida Policy Director Megan Amer
CONTACT: Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, Communications Director (305) 502-6749 |wruiz@cair.com ; Megan Amer, Policy Director (813)440-1028, m-amer@cair.com
CAIR-Florida and the Ibrahim family are urging immediate U.S. government intervention in the case. According to The Guardian, Mohammed was only 15 years old when Israeli forces raided his home in the occupied West Bank village of Silwad in February. He was reportedly blindfolded and handcuffed before being taken to Israel’s Megiddo Prison, known for Israel’s abuse of Palestinian children, specifically leading to malnutrition, illness, and death. The Israeli military is holding Mohammed in Israel’s notorious Ofer prison, a known place of abuse of Palestinian children. He is accused of throwing rocks – charges his family strongly denies.
READ MORE:
- Zeteo: US Teenager Has Been Locked in an Israeli Prison, With No Trial, for 6 Months. Where’s the Outrage?
- The Guardian: Family pleads for release of Palestinian American teen
- Middle East Eye: U.S. teenager illegally detained by Israel since February
- Arab News: Family asks U.S. government for help
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director Hiba Rahim said: “What kind of nation watches its own children be unjustly detained and does nothing? Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old American, was not arrested or charged—he was simply taken by Israeli forces. For nearly six months, he has withered in their prisons under a regime that calls itself our ally while denying him basic justice.
This is not isolated. Just weeks ago, his cousin, Sayfollah Musellet, a 20-year-old from Florida, was beaten to death by illegal Israeli settlers. Two sons from one family devastated by the same violent system, funded by our tax dollars and met with our government’s silence.
We call on President Trump and the State Department: If Mohammed’s life matters, act now. Demand his release today.”
The press conference will include renewed calls for U.S. officials to pressure Israeli authorities to secure the prompt release of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim.
About CAIR-Florida
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
En español: La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger las libertades civiles, empoderar a los musulmanes estadounidenses y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-FL Communications Director, (305) 502-6749 | wruiz@cair.com || Megan Amer, CAIR-FL Policy Director, (813)440-028 | m-amer@cair.com