For three harrowing weeks in August 2025, a Connecticut mother and her teenage son found themselves unexpectedly trapped in Israel, unable to board a flight home after a family visit to the West Bank. Their ordeal, which drew the attention of U.S. lawmakers and civil rights groups, has now ended with a resolution—but not without raising troubling questions about the treatment of American citizens abroad, especially those of Palestinian descent.
Intifada Abdelghani and her 14-year-old son, Musa, both U.S. citizens from Meriden, Connecticut, were scheduled to return to the United States on August 14 after what was supposed to be a routine trip to visit family. Instead, according to multiple reports including The Hartford Courant, Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion Airport denied them departure, citing their Palestinian heritage. The family alleges that what followed was not just a bureaucratic hurdle, but a deeply traumatic experience marked by prejudice, humiliation, and fear.
“We want to make sure that we’re treated like any other human,” said Mahar Abdelghani, Intifada’s husband, reflecting on the family’s ordeal. “She’s fortunate she has an American citizenship, an American passport. She was able to contact her representative. People she knows over there don’t have that opportunity and that breaks her heart.”
The Abdelghani family’s account of their time at the airport is chilling. Intifada was allegedly subjected to more than eight intrusive searches, including being told to undress in front of male officers and enduring verbal degradation. Both she and Musa were detained for 12 hours after Israeli officials rejected their U.S. passports and demanded Palestinian Authority documents, despite their clear American citizenship. According to Mahar, the experience left them rattled and anxious, with every moment before their eventual departure filled with uncertainty. “It’s very hard to explain, but it’s like finally being able to take a fresh breath of air because when you’re constantly thinking, only the worst goes through your mind,” he told reporters.
The family’s plight did not go unnoticed. U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Waterbury) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) intervened after learning of the situation. According to statements from their offices, Hayes and Blumenthal worked closely with the U.S. Embassy and secured a meeting with Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States. Their advocacy ultimately led to the lifting of the security ban on September 5, clearing the way for Intifada and Musa to return home.
“I am incredibly relieved that the family is finalizing travel plans and Intifada Abdelghani and her son will soon be home,” Congresswoman Hayes said in a statement. “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 acknowledged that there were initial administrative delays after the ban was lifted, but emphasized that her team had worked to resolve them and was now coordinating with the U.S. Embassy to ensure the family’s safe return.
Senator Blumenthal echoed these sentiments, expressing satisfaction that the ordeal was coming to a close. “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,” he 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.”
While the Abdelghani family’s immediate crisis appears to be resolved, their experience has ignited broader concerns about the treatment of Americans abroad—especially those holding dual identities or coming from backgrounds subject to increased scrutiny. “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 added. She credited the tireless work of her staff, the cooperation of the Embassy, and the persistence of the Abdelghani family for bringing about a resolution.
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) played a key role in supporting the family and advocating for their return. Farhan Memon, chairman of CAIR-CT, did not mince words about the trauma the family endured. “The pain and uncertainty this family has endured is unacceptable, and we are relieved that progress has been made. We commend Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Blumenthal for stepping in to help their constituents,” Memon said. He also placed the family’s ordeal in the context of broader regional suffering, noting, “We also cannot ignore that while the Abdelghani family suffered, their ordeal pales in comparison to the 64,000-plus deaths in Gaza and the daily terror of settler violence in the West Bank. These tragedies are inseparable from the policies our elected officials support.”
As of Friday, the family was working to finalize travel arrangements and hoped to return to Connecticut as soon as possible. Mahar Abdelghani expressed both relief and gratitude for the advocacy efforts that made their return possible. “I felt relieved,” he said. “When you’re thinking about your family under the conditions of what was happening, I was really worried.”
The episode has sparked a discussion about the rights of Americans traveling abroad and the responsibilities of the U.S. government to protect its citizens—regardless of their background. The incident also shines a light on the unique vulnerabilities faced by Palestinian Americans and others who may be subject to additional scrutiny or prejudice in certain international contexts. The family’s ability to reach out to their congressional representatives and secure intervention underscores the importance of advocacy and representation, but also highlights the limitations faced by those who lack such access.
For now, the Abdelghani family is focused on getting home and putting the ordeal behind them. But the questions raised by their experience—about justice, equity, and the treatment of Americans abroad—are likely to linger far longer than their layover in Tel Aviv. As Mahar Abdelghani put it, their experience is “a mere echo of what so many Palestinians endure each day.” For many, the hope is that this incident will prompt renewed efforts to ensure that all Americans, regardless of heritage, can travel freely and safely—and that no family will have to endure such fear and uncertainty again.
