Palestinian Student Natalie Abudayyeh Detained by Israeli Military

On June 2, 2026, Israeli military forces arrested 21-year-old Birzeit University student Natalie Abudayyeh during a raid on an apartment building in Ramallah. According to reports, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained Abudayyeh alongside three other women, citing suspicions of involvement in activities related to terrorism. Specifically, prosecutors allege she participated in a student magazine committee linked to a group affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an organization designated as a terrorist entity by Israel.

Abudayyeh’s father, Samer, has publicly denied these allegations, describing his daughter as a focused student and former captain of the Palestinian national women’s soccer team who avoided political involvement. He maintains that his daughter has no ties to militant groups and emphasizes that he raised his children to pursue intellectual rather than violent forms of advocacy. As of late August, the family reported that Abudayyeh remained in custody, with legal counsel working to address the charges against her.