The family of Sami Hamdi, a British Muslim journalist detained by US authorities, has urgently called for the UK government to secure his immediate release, expressing frustration over its perceived inaction. Hamdi, the editor-in-chief of The International Interest, was detained by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport during a speaking tour in the US. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has labeled his detention as retaliation for his criticism of Israel, describing it as an ‘abduction.’
Hamdi’s wife, Soumaya, voiced her distress, stating that her husband was ‘abducted’ for advocating Palestinian rights. She emphasized his role as a devoted family man and urged the UK government to provide full consular support, which she claims has not yet been extended. ‘Sami is now being held captive thousands of miles away from our children, who miss their father dearly,’ she said. ‘We are increasingly concerned by the lack of action and communication from the UK government.’
Hamdi had recently spoken at a CAIR gala in Sacramento, where he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, and was scheduled to speak at another event in Florida. CAIR condemned his detention as a blatant attack on free speech, asserting that it was motivated by his criticism of Israeli policies. Meanwhile, Israel activist Amy Mekelburg, who claimed responsibility for Hamdi’s arrest, accused him of ‘legitimizing Jihadi networks,’ a claim echoed by Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security.
This incident occurs amid broader accusations of efforts to silence critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Human Rights Watch reported that over 3,000 students have been arrested in the US in 2024 for protesting against Israel’s military operations, labeling the Trump administration’s crackdown as ‘illegitimate and false.’ Hamdi’s case has reignited debates about free speech and the treatment of dissenting voices in the US and beyond.