FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Palestinian peace activist Ayman Ghraieb held by Israeli secret police
On 17th November 2025, in al-Fasayil (Jordan Valley, West Bank), Palestinian peace activist Ayman Ghraieb was detained by the Israeli military at the request of illegal Israeli settlers present at the scene. He was detained for several hours, then arrested.
A source in Israeli security claims that Ayman is held by the Shin Bet – Israeli internal security service (equivalent of American FBI). the Red Cross and Ayman's lawyers have been unable to reach him despite repeated requests for information from the Israeli police and military.
Ayman is a nonviolent activist, documenting settler violence against Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley. This arrest is not isolated — settlers have repeatedly targeted Ayman in the Jordan Valley, calling the army on him multiple times to obstruct his peaceful work. Ayman's abduction follows the assignment of the far-right major general David Zini as the head of the Shin Bet, implying increasing political repression by the security service.
According to B’Tselem, there are 3,563 Palestinians held in administrative detention as of June 2025. In this context, securing Ayman’s release is vital. Human rights defenders like Ayman are at heightened risk of being drawn into a detention regime where legal safeguards are minimal and renewals can continue for months or years. Preventing him from being absorbed into this system is essential not only for his personal safety but for protecting the ability of Palestinian activists to continue documenting violations and supporting threatened communities.
Urgent diplomatic international intervention is needed to demand Ayman's immediate release.
For press inquiries:
Bilal Ghraieb, Ayman's brother
+970 59-997-4297
Mei Shahin, peace activist
+972 52-759-9755
Andrey X, activist
+972 533-222-469