She should not have been detained.
Layan Nasir, a 23-year-old member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birzeit, was recently detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank, sparking deep concern among Anglican leaders. This isn’t Nasir’s first brush with detention, as she was previously arrested three years ago, allegedly due to her association with a student group Israel considers illegal.
The arrest prompted Archbishop Justin Welby, Bishop Christopher Chessun, and others to express their dismay on social media, calling for prayers for Nasir’s safety and swift release. Richard Sewell, the dean of St. George’s College in Jerusalem, also voiced shock at the situation.
According to Nasir’s family, Israeli troops apprehended her from her family home at 4 a.m. without presenting a warrant or explanation for her arrest. It wasn’t until several days later that they discovered she was being held at Damon Prison in Israel.
Nasir, a recent graduate in nutrition from Birzeit University who works for a Palestinian NGO, was previously detained in 2021 along with over 20 other students. They were accused of affiliating with the Progressive Democratic Student Pole (PDSP), a group linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israel has outlawed. Despite facing mistreatment during her previous detention, Nasir was released on bail after two months, while others received jail sentences.
Challenging Israel’s accusations, Nasir’s cousin, Tala Nasir, a Palestinian rights lawyer, argued that mere connections between student unions and off-campus organizations don’t inherently render them unlawful. Nasir’s case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of Palestinians by Israeli authorities and the difficulties faced by advocates for Palestinian rights in the region.