: Israelis Arrest Two American Muslim Relief Workers

Israeli authorities have arrested two American Muslims affiliated with relief organizations, including a Muslim commentator who recently described by telephone and in e-mails the destruction he saw in Jenin. Riad Abdelkarim, a physician from Los Angeles and founder of the American Muslim children’s charity KinderUSA, along with KinderUSA President Ms. Dallal Muhammad, was detained Sunday while trying to return to the United States. “The past 36 hours have been an extremely difficult time for our family,” said Riad’s family in a statement. “Our greatest fear right now is for Riad’s safety, given Israel’s acknowledged policy of using ‘physical pressure‘ in questioning suspects, including American citizens.” Israeli authorities called Riad’s wife in California on Sunday and urged her to hire an attorney.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.