WEST BANK — Sama Safi, a 20-year-old Palestinian American psychology student at Birzeit University, was arrested by Israeli soldiers at her family home on June 2. She is currently held in Israeli military detention without formal criminal charges.

The four detained students are being held at an Israeli detention and interrogation center in Jerusalem. Safi's next legal hearing is scheduled for Sunday.

Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel is representing Safi. Tsemel stated that the students were targeted after two other detained students provided the Israeli military with names of individuals allegedly involved in the Qutub student organization. Israel designates the Qutub student organization as affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which it considers a terrorist organization. Tsemel stated her client denies involvement with the Qutub student group. "I don't know how this information was extorted from them, probably by force. It's nonsense." Tsemel said. She also stated that the Qutub student organization is not illegal.

Safi's family stated she suffers from a chronic autoinflammatory disease that causes fevers and pain. They stated she is receiving some medication in detention but claim it is insufficient and inappropriate for her condition. She had recently begun regaining her health after being bedridden for months and receiving treatment abroad.

A U.S. embassy representative in Jerusalem visited Safi in detention recently and reported to her family that she appeared to be in good spirits and was receiving sufficient food. A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated the department monitors the situation when Americans are detained abroad and advocates for adequate medical care and consular access.

Selma Farsakh Ulm, Safi's cousin in the U.S., is organizing advocacy for her release with members of the campus Palestine solidarity movement. U.S. Senators Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Van Hollen, along with U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, have publicly supported advocacy efforts for Safi.