Huwaida Arraf
WHAT HAPPENED
Huwaida Arraf, a 49-year-old human rights attorney born in Detroit, Michigan, and a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was detained on July 26, 2025, when Israeli naval forces boarded the Gaza-bound aid ship Handala in international waters roughly 40 nautical miles off the coast. Arraf, a co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, was among 21 activists seized as the vessel, which was carrying baby formula, food and medicine, attempted to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza. The Handala was towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where, according to Adalah, Arraf and fellow dual national Bob Suberi were transferred to police custody and interrogated before being released without charge; because they held Israeli citizenship, they could not be deported like the foreign crew. Arraf then joined Adalah's legal team representing the remaining detainees. She condemned the raid as unlawful, describing it as Israeli piracy in international waters.
TESTIMONY
“We are sailing lawfully in international waters, where you have no jurisdiction.” — Huwaida Arraf, human rights attorney aboard the Handala
SOURCES
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
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