US Teen Freed, State Dept. Wonders What Took So Long
When 16-year-old Firas Ryad al-Nabali was liberated after nine months in Israeli military detention, allegedly tortured and malnourished according to The New Arab, Washington's response was a masterclass in performative concern. One might wonder if the US Embassy in Jerusalem even noticed he was missing until the press release was strategically drafted. This isn't an isolated incident; countless
Palestinian children face such conditions with far less attention. Remember when Senator Lindsey Graham threatened to cut US aid if Israel paused operations? (That was last year, in case you forgot.) Instead of demanding accountability, the State Department issues vaguely-worded statements about 'welfare concerns' while continuing to greenlight billions in military aid. Perhaps they're just
waiting for the next US election cycle before they recall that American citizens, even those with Palestinian heritage, are supposed to be protected. Or maybe they just haven't finished counting the latest AIPAC donation receipts.