Arrest of Palestinian Activist Ayman Ghrayeb Raises Concerns Over Crackdown on Documentation Work

On November 17, 2025, prominent Palestinian activist Ayman Ghrayeb arrived at the entrance of the village of Fasayil in the Jordan Valley to document what relatives describe as the ongoing displacement of Palestinian communities amid settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

According to reports, Israeli settlers blocked Ghrayeb’s access and called the army to the scene. He was detained for several hours before being taken to an undisclosed location. Both the Israeli army and police initially denied holding him, and his lawyers were only informed two days later that he was being detained at the Samra military base.

Detention Conditions and Administrative Detention

Family members and legal representatives state that during his detention, Ghrayeb was kept outdoors in handcuffs, deprived of food for several days, and subjected to severe physical assault requiring medical inspection.

Six days after his arrest, he was interrogated on vague suspicion of “incitement.” His attorney was reportedly notified in advance that he would be placed under administrative detention, a form of imprisonment without charge or trial based on undisclosed evidence.

Ghrayeb is now being held in Megiddo Prison, where multiple Palestinian detainees have reportedly died since October 2023.

Ayman Ghrayeb documents the aftermath of an Israeli settlers attack in Sinjil, occupied West Bank, April 23, 2025. (Oren Ziv)

A Target for His Field Documentation

Ayman Ghrayeb, a 42-year-old father of four from the town of Tammun, is widely known for documenting settler attacks, expulsions, and military abuses across the West Bank. He has often been one of the only activists present at sites of displacement, publishing videos and reports that reach journalists, diplomats, and human rights organizations.

Relatives argue that his arrest is intended to prevent documentation of events occurring in vulnerable communities, particularly in Area C of the West Bank.

Broader Pattern of Arrests Against Nonviolent Activists

Ghrayeb’s case is part of a wider pattern described by human rights lawyers and activists. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, Israel has expanded the use of administrative detention against Palestinian activists, allowing individuals to be held for extended periods without formal charges.

Attorney Riham Nasra, who represents multiple detainees, stated that thousands of Palestinians are currently being held under such orders in increasingly harsh prison conditions, with limited ability to challenge accusations due to classified evidence.

Another recent case includes activist Rabia Abu Naim, detained while coordinating volunteers for the olive harvest, who was issued an administrative detention order after only a brief interrogation.

Ongoing Impact on Communities Under Threat

Activists and residents emphasize that arrests of individuals like Ghrayeb are not only personal detentions, but also affect broader community efforts to remain on their land, document abuses, and resist displacement through nonviolent means.

As one activist noted, the targeting of those most connected to the ground is seen as an attempt to weaken community steadfastness and deter further documentation.

Read more here: https://www.972mag.com/ayman-ghrayeb-arrest-settlers/