A Meriden mother and her 14-year-old son have reportedly been cleared to return home to Connecticut after there were barred from leaving Israel in mid-August, officials said.
Mahar Abdelghani said his wife, Intifada, and 14-year-old son, Musa, who are American citizens, were supposed to fly back to the United States on Aug. 14 after a trip to the West Bank to visit family members.
According to Abdelghani, Israeli authorities allegedly denied them departure from Ben Gurion Airport to fly back home to Connecticut because they’re Palestinian.
CT man is seeking help from U.S. officials after wife, teen son are stopped from leaving Israel
The Meriden resident, who moved to Connecticut from California in 2013, also alleges that his wife was searched unnecessarily over eight times by airport security staff and told to undress in front of male officers while being verbally degraded. In addition, he claims that security officials detained them for 12 hours after rejecting their U.S. passports and requesting Palestinian Authority passports despite the fact that they are U.S. citizens.
After Connecticut politicians stepped in to help, the mother and son have reportedly been cleared to fly home after nearly a month, officials said.
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, said that her team has worked around the clock with the U.S. Embassy on this issue, and, on Friday, penned a letter to the State Department along with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal seeking answers, according to a release from her office.
Hayes said she secured a meeting with Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., in her Washington, D.C. office. Together, they worked to find a solution, she said. As a result of the meeting, Hayes was able to reach a resolution and get confirmation that the security ban was lifted and the family could return home.
“I am incredibly relieved that the family is finalizing travel plans and Intifada Abdelghani and her son will soon be home,” Hayes said. “No American family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty they have faced. The ability to travel freely is fundamental for all U.S. citizens.”
Hayes said there were initial administrative delays after the news was first shared, but that she worked to resolve them. Hayes said her team is now working with the U.S. Embassy to coordinate the safe return of the Abdelghani family to the U.S.
“While we celebrate this outcome, this situation has highlighted serious concerns about the equitable treatment of all Americans abroad, and we will continue to seek answers to ensure no other family has to experience a similar ordeal,” Hayes said. “I am grateful for the tireless work of my staff, the cooperation of the Embassy, and the persistence of the Abdelghani family. We look forward to welcoming Intifada and her son back to Connecticut.”
Blumenthal called the news of the security ban being lifted gratifying.
“I am gratified that Israel is permitting the return to America of Intifada and her son Musa Abdelghani, two U.S. citizens who were detained unfortunately and unnecessarily,” Blumenthal said. “I spoke to high-ranking Israeli authorities about their case and joined Congresswoman Jahana Hayes in writing to the State Department. I wish Intifada and her son Musa a safe, speedy return to be reunited with Mahar.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
