Family of British journalist detained in US say UK has failed to help him

The family of a British Muslim journalist detained by US authorities since the weekend have called for the UK government to support his immediate release from detention, criticising it for "lack of action". 

Sami Hamdi was held by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agency at San Francisco international airport during a speaking tour in the US.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) has described the detention as retaliation for Hamdi's criticism of Israel, calling it an "abduction".

Hamdi's wife Soumaya said on Wednesday that he was "abducted" over his advocacy for Palestinian rights.

"He is now being held captive thousands of miles away from our children," she said, "who miss their father dearly and were looking forward to spending the school break with him. Sami is, above all, a family man who has a strong sense of justice."

'I urge the government of the United Kingdom to provide full consular support for Sami. It has yet to do so'

- Soumaya Hamdi, wife of Sami

She said: "I urge the government of the United Kingdom to provide full consular support for Sami. It has yet to do so.

"I also ask them to defend my husband and provide the protection and support that every British citizen deserves.

"So far, we are becoming increasingly concerned by their lack of action and communication and we hope this changes soon."

MEE has contacted the British Foreign Office for comment.

'Attack on free speech'

Hamdi had spoken at a Cair gala on Saturday in Sacramento, where he condemned Israel's genocide in Gaza.

He was scheduled to speak at another Cair event in Florida on Sunday.

“Detaining a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator during his speaking tour in the United States simply for daring to criticise the Israeli government’s actions is a blatant attack on free speech,” the Washington-based Cair said.

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Hamdi is the editor-in-chief of The International Interest, a publication focused on Middle East geopolitics, and is known for his outspoken criticism of US and Israeli policies.

Hamdi's wife said: "We are convinced that an error has been made and we believe that once officials understand my husband's background and advocacy, this matter will be redressed.

"Sami was on a speaking tour across North America when a politicised group of social media influencers targeted him for his support for Palestinian rights. They have mischaracterised my husband and his views in an effort to discredit and silence him."

Israel activist Amy Mekelburg, who took credit for Hamdi's arrest, accused the British journalist of "legitimising Jihadi networks".

"This is a major victory for America and a Major Blow to the Jihadi network in America! I’ve been fighting this relentlessly – and this morning, the system moved," she wrote on X.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), shared Mekelburg's message thanking the authorities for arresting Hamdi.

"Under President [Donald] Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country," she said. 

Hamdi's arrest comes amid growing accusations of concerted efforts to silence voices critical of the Israeli actions in Gaza and the western world's support for them.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in April that over 3,000 students had been arrested in the US in 2024 under the Biden administration for protesting against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

HRW called the Trump administration’s crackdown and justifications for the arrests and planned deportations "illegitimate and false".