Hala Kasim Salameh
WHAT HAPPENED
Hala Kasim Salameh, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen and college student from St. Louis, Missouri, was detained by Israeli forces on Friday, December 16, 2022, at a checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank. According to Al Jazeera and KSDK, Salameh — who was born in the West Bank and carried a U.S. passport, a Palestinian ID, and an Israeli-issued entry permit obtained days earlier — was traveling with her mother, sister, and aunt to visit holy sites in Jerusalem. After the family was turned away at the checkpoint without explanation, she attempted to cross again and was arrested. She was held over the weekend at Neve Tirtza women's prison in Ramla, Israel, and released after a court hearing on Monday, December 19. The U.S. State Department said it was aware of the detention of an American citizen and that her safety was its top priority but declined further comment.
TESTIMONY
“My sister's dream was to enter Jerusalem. She believed it was her right as a Palestinian.” — Ahlam Salameh, sister of Hala Salameh
SOURCES
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
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