Sama Safi release urged by 100 US groups

More than 100 US organisations have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to act urgently to secure the release of Palestinian-American student Sama Safi, who has been detained in Israel for more than two months.

Israeli forces arrested Safi, a 20-year-old psychology student from the occupied West Bank, on June 2 at her family home in Birzeit, north of Ramallah. She was arrested with two other students and a university graduate.

Safi has been charged with membership in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israeli authorities classify as a terrorist organisation. Her lawyer, Leah Tsemel, told AFP that Safi denies the allegation.

The letter from US organisations quoted Safi as saying she was subjected to verbal abuse, blindfolded and shackled during detention. Tsemel said Safi has a chronic health condition that requires regular treatment in Rome and that she is seeking release on bail. The lawyer said she expected a court response in the coming days.

Safi is being held in Damon Prison in northern Israel. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group says the prison holds more than 90 Palestinian women detainees, including pregnant women and minors. The group said Monday that at least 10 Palestinian female prisoners at Damon had contracted scabies and warned that the disease could spread because of unsanitary conditions.

The Israeli Prison Service has repeatedly said all detainees are held according to the law, that their rights are protected and that its staff operate under continuous judicial oversight. Asked about Safi’s detention, it said inquiries should be directed to relevant security and judicial authorities.