NY State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) says an American citizen is undergoing torture in a Palestinian prison. The Assemblyman met today with the family of Issam Akel, a 53-year-old Arab-American resident of Jerusalem and U.S. citizen. Akel was imprisoned by the Palestinian Authority after it was alleged that he sold property to Jews.

In a long meeting in Jerusalem this afternoon with Akel�s wife Maram, Hikind learned how Issam has been tortured in a PA prison for two months. �It was heartbreaking to see this gentle family, see up close the pain that they are experiencing by having their family torn apart,� said Hikind. �There are two young daughters, Natalie age 7, and Sila age 3. �I just want my husband back,� Maram cried to me. �My children just want their father back.�

Issam lived in America for 12 years. His four siblings and their families continue to reside in the U.S. �This is a proud Arab-American family,� said Hikind.

While the United States has officially demanded the immediate release of its citizen, Hikind is calling upon the UN and human rights groups to also demand the release.

�This is not Hamas, the recognized terror organization, that has directed this act against an Arab American,� said Hikind. �This is the Palestinian Authority�the so-called moderates�the official government of the Palestinians who have perpetrated this crime against a U.S. citizen.

�Imagine the outcry if Israel jailed a Jew for allegedly selling land to an Arab. Would human rights groups stand silent if this man was persecuted for selling land to a Black family or an Asian family? I�m calling on those who care about human rights�those groups who advocate for everyone else�to speak out about this heinous violation of human rights against an Arab-American who committed no crime!�

Hikind praised American Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and the Trump administration who condemned the PA for Akel�s kidnapping. He also thanked Yifa Segal, Director of the International Legal Forum in Jerusalem, who he said he will be working with to free Akel. �All of us must unite to free this innocent man,� said Hikind.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)