jonah valdez
@jonahmv.bsky.social
journalist @theintercept.com send tips: (signal) @jonahmv.05 (proton email) jonah.valdez@theintercept.com
https://theintercept.com/staff/jonahvaldez/
https://theintercept.com/staff/jonahvaldez/
The IDF in the ICE and CBP in occupied in Los Angeles,
West Bank, California
Palestine
🤝
assaulting children
West Bank, California
Palestine
🤝
assaulting children
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The IDF in the ICE and CBP in occupied in Los Angeles,
West Bank, California
Palestine
🤝
assaulting children
West Bank, California
Palestine
🤝
assaulting children
Mohammed's family has been sensitive not to frame the case as an Israel-Palestine issue as they lobby a pro-Israel U.S. govt. But the lack of results from the U.S. illustrates limitations of the expected privileges U.S. citizenship affords, particularly if you are Palestinian @theintercept.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Mohammed's family has been sensitive not to frame the case as an Israel-Palestine issue as they lobby a pro-Israel U.S. govt. But the lack of results from the U.S. illustrates limitations of the expected privileges U.S. citizenship affords, particularly if you are Palestinian @theintercept.com
Prisoner advocates I spoke to described Israel's policy of childhood detention as a way to collectively punish whole families and an entire generation of Palestinian children. This underscores the idea that Mohammed's case+his cousins' killing aren't coincidence but a result of intentional policy:
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Prisoner advocates I spoke to described Israel's policy of childhood detention as a way to collectively punish whole families and an entire generation of Palestinian children. This underscores the idea that Mohammed's case+his cousins' killing aren't coincidence but a result of intentional policy:
Also, Mohammed's family have yet to tell him about the killing of his cousin, Sayfollah Musallet, 20, who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July. The two were close and were planning to run their family's ice cream shop together in Tampa this summer:
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Also, Mohammed's family have yet to tell him about the killing of his cousin, Sayfollah Musallet, 20, who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July. The two were close and were planning to run their family's ice cream shop together in Tampa this summer:
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
It's worth noting that the official figure for how many Palestinian children remain in Israeli custody (360, based on Israeli Prison Service reporting) likely does not reflect the reality of childhood detention, and is likely an undercount. I explain why here:
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
It's worth noting that the official figure for how many Palestinian children remain in Israeli custody (360, based on Israeli Prison Service reporting) likely does not reflect the reality of childhood detention, and is likely an undercount. I explain why here:
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
theintercept.com/2025/10/26/m...
The U.S.-Israeli deal also installs a Trump and Tony Blair-led board that would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, which experts I spoke to poignantly described as the following:
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/t...
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/t...
October 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The U.S.-Israeli deal also installs a Trump and Tony Blair-led board that would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, which experts I spoke to poignantly described as the following:
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/t...
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/t...
My latest: As the United Nations convened in NYC this week, 10 new countries recognized Palestine as a state. Despite this, these 5 nations still ship WEAPONS TO ISRAEL, funding the genocide in Gaza. Critics called this a "performance of justice."
@theintercept.com
theintercept.com/2025/09/25/p...
@theintercept.com
theintercept.com/2025/09/25/p...
September 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
My latest: As the United Nations convened in NYC this week, 10 new countries recognized Palestine as a state. Despite this, these 5 nations still ship WEAPONS TO ISRAEL, funding the genocide in Gaza. Critics called this a "performance of justice."
@theintercept.com
theintercept.com/2025/09/25/p...
@theintercept.com
theintercept.com/2025/09/25/p...
My latest:
—More human rights groups declared Israel's war on Gaza a Genocide
—UK/France/Can prepare to recognize Palestinian statehood
—A majority of Senate Dems voted AGAINST an Israel arms deal
—60% of Americans disapprove of Israel's offensive
But what does this mean for Palestinians in Gaza?
—More human rights groups declared Israel's war on Gaza a Genocide
—UK/France/Can prepare to recognize Palestinian statehood
—A majority of Senate Dems voted AGAINST an Israel arms deal
—60% of Americans disapprove of Israel's offensive
But what does this mean for Palestinians in Gaza?
August 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
My latest:
—More human rights groups declared Israel's war on Gaza a Genocide
—UK/France/Can prepare to recognize Palestinian statehood
—A majority of Senate Dems voted AGAINST an Israel arms deal
—60% of Americans disapprove of Israel's offensive
But what does this mean for Palestinians in Gaza?
—More human rights groups declared Israel's war on Gaza a Genocide
—UK/France/Can prepare to recognize Palestinian statehood
—A majority of Senate Dems voted AGAINST an Israel arms deal
—60% of Americans disapprove of Israel's offensive
But what does this mean for Palestinians in Gaza?
BREAKING from downtown LA courtroom: a federal judge has ordered the RELEASE of 20-yr-old Adrian Martinez on bond, 3 days after he was violently arrested by a horde of federal agents on 6/17/25 in a Walmart parking lot in Pico Rivera during an immigration raid. @theintercept.com
June 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
BREAKING from downtown LA courtroom: a federal judge has ordered the RELEASE of 20-yr-old Adrian Martinez on bond, 3 days after he was violently arrested by a horde of federal agents on 6/17/25 in a Walmart parking lot in Pico Rivera during an immigration raid. @theintercept.com
Massive #ICEoutofLA action today in downtown Los Angeles as ICE raids continue, one day after Trump announces deployment of National Guard and threatens to deploy the military.
📸 for @theintercept.com
📸 for @theintercept.com
June 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Massive #ICEoutofLA action today in downtown Los Angeles as ICE raids continue, one day after Trump announces deployment of National Guard and threatens to deploy the military.
📸 for @theintercept.com
📸 for @theintercept.com
In dual state and federal lawsuits, Dr. Marya alleges the University of California and UCSF officials discriminated against her and violated her free speech rights.
June 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
In dual state and federal lawsuits, Dr. Marya alleges the University of California and UCSF officials discriminated against her and violated her free speech rights.
Dr. Noor Abdalla, wife of Mahmoud Khalil, gave birth to their first child on Monday, according to a new statement. Khalil remains jailed in Louisiana — ICE rejected a temporary release request.
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud."
@theintercept.com
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud."
@theintercept.com
April 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Dr. Noor Abdalla, wife of Mahmoud Khalil, gave birth to their first child on Monday, according to a new statement. Khalil remains jailed in Louisiana — ICE rejected a temporary release request.
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud."
@theintercept.com
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud."
@theintercept.com
BREAKING: Immigration Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Mahmoud Khalil is deportable. Context: the only "evidence" the govt. presented is a 1.5-page letter from
@secrubio.govpeeps.us that accuses Khalil of “antisemitism” without further analysis.
Full statement from attorneys:
@theintercept.com
@secrubio.govpeeps.us that accuses Khalil of “antisemitism” without further analysis.
Full statement from attorneys:
@theintercept.com
April 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
BREAKING: Immigration Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Mahmoud Khalil is deportable. Context: the only "evidence" the govt. presented is a 1.5-page letter from
@secrubio.govpeeps.us that accuses Khalil of “antisemitism” without further analysis.
Full statement from attorneys:
@theintercept.com
@secrubio.govpeeps.us that accuses Khalil of “antisemitism” without further analysis.
Full statement from attorneys:
@theintercept.com
Recent examples (see below): justifications for this week's IDF killing of Palestinian American 14-year-old boy Amer Rabee, and in late March, the violent arrest of filmmaker Hamdan Billal.
The same "terror" language is also used in justifying Israel's genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza.
The same "terror" language is also used in justifying Israel's genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza.
April 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Recent examples (see below): justifications for this week's IDF killing of Palestinian American 14-year-old boy Amer Rabee, and in late March, the violent arrest of filmmaker Hamdan Billal.
The same "terror" language is also used in justifying Israel's genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza.
The same "terror" language is also used in justifying Israel's genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza.
Even though the new DHS "antisemitism" policy is about language, it's also more than a "free speech" issue: its use of "terrorism" here mirrors the Israeli military's "terrorist" labeling to justify the killings/arrests of Palestinians defending their homes in the West Bank.
April 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Even though the new DHS "antisemitism" policy is about language, it's also more than a "free speech" issue: its use of "terrorism" here mirrors the Israeli military's "terrorist" labeling to justify the killings/arrests of Palestinians defending their homes in the West Bank.
NEW: A federal judge has DENIED the government's request to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk's case to Louisiana and will instead be heard in Vermont. Rümeysa was jailed there when her atty filed a petition for her release. ICE secretly shuttled her between FOUR locations.
@theintercept.com
@theintercept.com
April 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
NEW: A federal judge has DENIED the government's request to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk's case to Louisiana and will instead be heard in Vermont. Rümeysa was jailed there when her atty filed a petition for her release. ICE secretly shuttled her between FOUR locations.
@theintercept.com
@theintercept.com
Statement from detained student Rümeysa Öztürk dictated to her attorneys while jailed at the South Louisiana ICE facility:
“Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me”
@theintercept.com
“Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me”
@theintercept.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Statement from detained student Rümeysa Öztürk dictated to her attorneys while jailed at the South Louisiana ICE facility:
“Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me”
@theintercept.com
“Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me”
@theintercept.com
Update: Hamdan Ballal has been released from IDF custody
March 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Update: Hamdan Ballal has been released from IDF custody
BREAKING on pro-Palestine activist
/Cornell student Momodou Taal’s case:
DOJ claimed today that the State Dept revoked Taal’s student visa on March 14, due to “disruptive protests” and “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.” ICE had asked Taal to turn himself in. @theintercept.com
/Cornell student Momodou Taal’s case:
DOJ claimed today that the State Dept revoked Taal’s student visa on March 14, due to “disruptive protests” and “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.” ICE had asked Taal to turn himself in. @theintercept.com
March 23, 2025 at 1:34 AM
BREAKING on pro-Palestine activist
/Cornell student Momodou Taal’s case:
DOJ claimed today that the State Dept revoked Taal’s student visa on March 14, due to “disruptive protests” and “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.” ICE had asked Taal to turn himself in. @theintercept.com
/Cornell student Momodou Taal’s case:
DOJ claimed today that the State Dept revoked Taal’s student visa on March 14, due to “disruptive protests” and “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.” ICE had asked Taal to turn himself in. @theintercept.com
Ongoing issues with NYT coverage of Gaza:
this plays right into Israeli govt narrative that "Hamas chose war," that bombings were an inevitable consequence of Hamas' refusal. When in REALITY it's Israel who keeps changing terms ALREADY AGREED TO. This is not an "accusation" by Hamas, this is FACT.
this plays right into Israeli govt narrative that "Hamas chose war," that bombings were an inevitable consequence of Hamas' refusal. When in REALITY it's Israel who keeps changing terms ALREADY AGREED TO. This is not an "accusation" by Hamas, this is FACT.
March 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Ongoing issues with NYT coverage of Gaza:
this plays right into Israeli govt narrative that "Hamas chose war," that bombings were an inevitable consequence of Hamas' refusal. When in REALITY it's Israel who keeps changing terms ALREADY AGREED TO. This is not an "accusation" by Hamas, this is FACT.
this plays right into Israeli govt narrative that "Hamas chose war," that bombings were an inevitable consequence of Hamas' refusal. When in REALITY it's Israel who keeps changing terms ALREADY AGREED TO. This is not an "accusation" by Hamas, this is FACT.
ICE TORTURING a New Hampshire man to give up green card at a Rhode Island airport:
stripped naked, forced into cold shower, interrogated, slept on mat in bright room, sleep deprivation, little food/water, denied access to depression/anxiety meds, then hospitalized.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
stripped naked, forced into cold shower, interrogated, slept on mat in bright room, sleep deprivation, little food/water, denied access to depression/anxiety meds, then hospitalized.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
March 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
ICE TORTURING a New Hampshire man to give up green card at a Rhode Island airport:
stripped naked, forced into cold shower, interrogated, slept on mat in bright room, sleep deprivation, little food/water, denied access to depression/anxiety meds, then hospitalized.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
stripped naked, forced into cold shower, interrogated, slept on mat in bright room, sleep deprivation, little food/water, denied access to depression/anxiety meds, then hospitalized.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
The complaint also cites @theintercept.com reporting by @natashalennard.bsky.social and @akelalacy.bsky.social who wrote about a Columbia University alumni group reporting pro-Palestinian student protesters to the ICE tip line for arrest and deportation:
theintercept.com/2025/02/15/c...
theintercept.com/2025/02/15/c...
March 14, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The complaint also cites @theintercept.com reporting by @natashalennard.bsky.social and @akelalacy.bsky.social who wrote about a Columbia University alumni group reporting pro-Palestinian student protesters to the ICE tip line for arrest and deportation:
theintercept.com/2025/02/15/c...
theintercept.com/2025/02/15/c...
And it offers more details on Mahmoud's arrest—ICE shackling him, driven from his apartment to a NYC jail then to a NJ jail then to JFK where he boarded a ✈️ to Louisiana—all with little explanation of where he was going.
Mahmoud compares the process to his friends' forced disappearances in Syria:
Mahmoud compares the process to his friends' forced disappearances in Syria:
March 14, 2025 at 6:48 AM
And it offers more details on Mahmoud's arrest—ICE shackling him, driven from his apartment to a NYC jail then to a NJ jail then to JFK where he boarded a ✈️ to Louisiana—all with little explanation of where he was going.
Mahmoud compares the process to his friends' forced disappearances in Syria:
Mahmoud compares the process to his friends' forced disappearances in Syria:
The complaint also lays out how the case affects Mahmoud's family:
He may now lose his new job which was supposed to help support his family financially AND provide health insurance for his wife who is due to give birth to their first child next month:
He may now lose his new job which was supposed to help support his family financially AND provide health insurance for his wife who is due to give birth to their first child next month:
March 14, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The complaint also lays out how the case affects Mahmoud's family:
He may now lose his new job which was supposed to help support his family financially AND provide health insurance for his wife who is due to give birth to their first child next month:
He may now lose his new job which was supposed to help support his family financially AND provide health insurance for his wife who is due to give birth to their first child next month:
The complaint also highlights the poor conditions Mahmoud has experienced since his arrest:
—deprived of his medications for an ulcer for 3 days.
—sleeping in "a bunker without a pillow or blanket" (google: "hieleras")
—no legal call with his attorneys for 4 days
—deprived of his medications for an ulcer for 3 days.
—sleeping in "a bunker without a pillow or blanket" (google: "hieleras")
—no legal call with his attorneys for 4 days
March 14, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The complaint also highlights the poor conditions Mahmoud has experienced since his arrest:
—deprived of his medications for an ulcer for 3 days.
—sleeping in "a bunker without a pillow or blanket" (google: "hieleras")
—no legal call with his attorneys for 4 days
—deprived of his medications for an ulcer for 3 days.
—sleeping in "a bunker without a pillow or blanket" (google: "hieleras")
—no legal call with his attorneys for 4 days