Open Letter to the Chief of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs regarding the arrest of Sheikh Ekrima Sabri

August 2, 2024

Dear US Embassy Representative,

This morning, it came to our attention that Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, retired Al Aqsa leader, was once more taken from his home and arrested. Multiple press sources have reported for months the Israeli allegations that the Imam is guilty of incitement. Sheikh Sabri has been continuously harassed, detained and threatened with eviction notices for well over a year. The actions by the government of Israel today are due to new allegations that he incited violence due to his eulogy for Haniyeh, Hamas leader who was murdered by Israel in Iran. New reports further state that the IDF and Ministry of Interior will conduct an investigation by evaluating his comments and determine a course of action.

We write to you as members of two Christian delegations, made up of Presbyterians and ecumenical partners, who traveled to the region in February and in May of this year. Our February delegation had the privilege of meeting with George Noll and others at the Embassy in Jerusalem. On that trip, Sheikh Erima Sabri hosted us in his home, sharing with us the current situation as we enjoyed refreshments in his living room. With good humor he recounted how the Israeli authorities regularly arrest him on charges of incitement, and them let him go, finding nothing to merit keeping him incarcerated. We consider Sheikh Erima Sabri a friend and colleague and partner in seeking a peaceful end to the violence that surrounds him and his community.

With this latest arrest he is also reportedly being barred from Jerusalem. We find the repeated harassment uncalled for, but this latest action by the Israeli authorities is even more egregious.

We urgently ask you to demand that the US Government conduct an investigation of its own. When our delegation visited with you in February, we spoke strongly and passionately about the abuses, the ongoing genocide, and the unjust and immoral acts against Palestinians and their land that is primarily reported from Gaza, but this is just one small example of how these sorts of colonialist, imperialist, and dictatorial moves continue unhindered throughout the region. Our bombs, our personnel, and our resources are enabling this to happen. With all this power, we also have the power to make it stop. Please urge our government to investigate and make their own assessments.

Sincerely and with appreciation for your service,

Christian Delegation Members