WASHINGTON — A Democratic congressional delegation urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to release African asylum seekers being detained in an Israeli prison.
“We hope that these detainees will be released before the Passover holiday and that durable solutions, including in Israel, can be found,” said the letter, which was orchestrated by Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
The US lawmakers insisted the issue was “a matter of our shared values” between the US and Israel. The letter was sent one day after they met with Netanyahu on Monday.
The missive was signed by California Reps. Adam Schiff and Jimmy Pancetta, Connecticut Reps. Jim Himes and Rosa DeLaura, Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, Texas Rep. Henry Cueller, Virginia Rep. Donald McEachi, and New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
The group also visited Jordan and Afghanistan while in the region this week.
House Democrats urge Netanyahu to release jailed asylum-seekers