Israeli Military Court Weighs Fate of U.S. Teen Accused of West Bank Stone-Throwing

An Israeli military court is considering the fate of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 17-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, who was arrested in February for allegedly throwing stones in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The court heard testimony from witnesses and reviewed evidence before adjourning to deliberate on a verdict. Ibrahim's family has maintained his innocence, and his mother, Muna Ibrahim, has stated that her son was asleep at the time of the alleged incident. In a statement, Muna Ibrahim expressed her concerns about the trial, saying, "We're worried that the court will not take into account the fact that Mohammed is a minor and that he was not given a fair chance to defend himself." Ibrahim's family has been living in the West Bank for several years, and his father, also named Mohammed, is a Palestinian-American who splits his time between the Tampa area and their home in the village of Al-Mazraa ash-Sharqiya. The incident occurred in February, when Israeli soldiers arrested Ibrahim, then 15, after allegedly spotting him throwing stones in the occupied West Bank. The soldiers reportedly woke him up from his bed and took him into custody. Ibrahim's family has maintained that he was asleep at the time and was not involved in any stone-throwing. The Israeli military court has been weighing the evidence and testimony in the case, with the prosecution presenting witnesses who claim to have seen Ibrahim throwing stones. However, Ibrahim's defense team has argued that the witnesses are unreliable and that the evidence against him is circumstantial. The case has drawn attention from human rights groups and the U.S. government, which has expressed concerns about the treatment of Palestinian-American citizens in the occupied West Bank. The U.S. State Department has called for Ibrahim's release, stating that he should be treated as a minor and given a fair trial. The Israeli military court is expected to deliver a verdict in the coming weeks, which will determine Ibrahim's fate. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. However, if acquitted, he will be released and allowed to return to his family in the United States. In a statement, an Israeli military spokesperson said, "The court will consider all the evidence and testimony presented in the case before making a decision." The spokesperson declined to comment further on the case, citing the ongoing trial. The case has sparked debate about the treatment of Palestinian-American citizens in the occupied West Bank and the role of the Israeli military court in trying civilians. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about the fairness of the trial and the potential for Ibrahim to receive a harsh sentence. As the court deliberates, Ibrahim's family remains hopeful that he will be acquitted and allowed to return home. In a statement, Muna Ibrahim said, "We just want Mohammed to come home and be with his family. We believe in his innocence, and we hope that the court will see that too."