As a Palestinian-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rashida Tlaib has urged for the release of both Israeli prisoners held by Hamas and unjustly detained Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Tlaib stressed the importance of freeing all innocent civilians, regardless of their religious or cultural identity. She also voiced worry regarding Palestinians who are being held by the Israeli government without any charges or due process.
Tlaib said that before October 7, there were 1,310 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. She also brought attention to the ongoing mistreatment of Palestinian children who are regularly removed from their homes and subjected to a separate military justice system within the country's apartheid policies.
U.S. congresswoman of Palestinian origin implored her colleagues to unite in demanding the liberation of Palestinian civilians who are being detained by Israel without any accusations or legal proceedings, underlining that neglecting this issue is a denial of acknowledging Palestinians as individuals deserving equal rights, autonomy, and basic human respect.
