Palestinian Christian Student Natalie Abu Dayyeh Held in Israeli Prison Without Charges
Natalie Abu Dayyeh, a 21-year-old Christian Palestinian journalism student and national soccer team player, has been held at Damon Prison in Haifa since her arrest on June 2, 2026. No formal charges have been filed. Four Church of England bishops and Lutheran church leaders have called for her release.
Natalie Abu Dayyeh, a 21-year-old Christian Palestinian student at Birzeit University, has been held in an Israeli military prison since June 2, 2026, without formal charges, according to reports from Christianity Today and Premier Christian News.
Abu Dayyeh is a media and journalism student and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala. She has also played for the Palestinian national women's soccer team at both youth and senior levels.
Israeli forces arrested her during a pre-dawn raid on student housing near Birzeit University in the West Bank. Three other Palestinian women were arrested in the same operation. The Israeli military alleged the detainees were suspected of promoting terrorist activities, but no specific evidence has been publicly presented.
Her family says prosecutors have claimed she was involved with a student magazine linked to a group associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Her father, Samer Abu Dayyeh, denies the allegation.
Abu Dayyeh is currently held at Damon Prison in Haifa. Her family has been denied visits and phone contact. Her local pastor has also been unable to reach her. During court hearings, family members have been restricted to watching via video link, where they can see her handcuffed.
Four Church of England bishops and Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land have condemned her detention as a violation of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which requires that occupied people be detained within occupied territory.
A military court hearing was scheduled for September 23, 2026. Her legal counsel was reportedly attempting to negotiate a plea arrangement before that date.
Human rights groups note that Palestinian civilians in the West Bank are tried in military courts while Israeli settlers in the same region face civilian courts, creating a dual legal system that critics say lacks basic due process protections.
