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14h ago

Meriden Mother and Teen Say They’re Blocked From Leaving Israel as Calls for U.S. Action Grow

The case is fueling questions about Israel’s compliance with Visa Waiver reciprocity for Palestinian-heritage American travelers.

Intifada Abdelghani and 14-year-old son Musa, who are American citizens, were supposed to fly back to the United States on Aug. 14. after a routine trip to the West Bank to visit family members. But Abdelghani said Israeli authorities denied them departure from Ben Gurion Airport to fly back home to Connecticut because they’re Palestinian.

Overview

  • Intifada Abdelghani and her 14-year-old son Musa, both U.S. citizens from Meriden, say Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion Airport rejected their passports and demanded Palestinian Authority documents on Aug. 14, stopping their departure.
  • They report being detained and interrogated for roughly 12 to 13 hours, and the mother says she was repeatedly searched and told to undress in front of male officers, which the family describes as degrading.
  • The pair remains in the West Bank, and Musa says he has missed the start of school and wants to return to Connecticut.
  • The family has sought assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and from Rep. Jahana Hayes and Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal; the embassy says protecting U.S. citizens is a priority and, according to the Courant, advised hiring a lawyer.
  • CAIR-CT is assisting and questioning Israel’s adherence to equal-treatment obligations under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, while Connecticut lawmakers voice concern and the Israeli Embassy has not provided a response.