Over 100 groups urge Secretary Rubio to free detained US student in Israel

More than a hundred faith and civil-rights organisations have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to secure the immediate release of American psychology student Sama Safi, who has been held in an Israeli military prison for over two months.

A letter signed by more than 100 faith-based and civil-society organisations was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding that he fulfill the United States’ duty to protect its citizens abroad by obtaining the prompt release of Sama Safi. Safi, a 20-year-old American studying psychology at Birzeit University, was seized from her family’s West Bank home in a pre-dawn raid and later moved to the Damon military prison near Haifa, a transfer the groups say breaches Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Although accused of “hostile terrorist activity,” she has not faced formal charges and has been held for 77 days under conditions described as inhumane. Her chronic complex health issue, which includes fevers up to 105 °F and requires regular medication and quarterly injections abroad, is reportedly worsening due to lack of proper medical care. The signatories, among them the Institute for Middle East Understanding, the Council on American Islamic Relations, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Center for Constitutional Rights, also highlighted broader allegations of torture and neglect in Israeli prisons, citing recent reports of scabies outbreaks and overcrowding. The appeal underscores growing concern over the treatment of US citizens detained in the occupied territories.