Sami Hamdi, British journalist detained by ‘merciless’ ICE says ‘there is a war on freedom of speech’
A British journalist has claimed US immigration officials are waging a “war on free speech” when he returned home to the UK after more than two weeks in detention.
Sami Hamdi, 34, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International airport on October 26 after traveling to America for a speaking tour.
He said he was left in “utter agony” while being detained in a crowded area with between 80 and 90 inmates, and that his family and supporters had been pushing for his release after his health deteriorated.
Mr Hamdi, who lives in London, was released by ICE and returned to the UK on Thursday.
he said Independent He said his detention marked “a war on free speech” for both Americans and British.
“I don’t think this was an attack on me,” he said in his first full interview after his release. “It was an attack on Americans in general.”
The founder of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence firm, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military action in Gaza. The UN recently concluded after a two-year investigation and the deaths of more than 69,000 people that the state was committing genocide against Palestinians. Israel called the report “inaccurate and distorted”.
But Mr. Hamdi said his words were considered a threat by establishment figures unhappy with the public’s growing hostility toward Israel.
“Their concern wasn’t about my speech, the concern was that American public opinion had actually changed,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in America in the last three years. I’ve been to every state except New Hampshire. Americans are listening.”
He praised the American people for their courage and commitment to freedom and said he was “treated very well” while visiting the United States.
“This is a war on the freedom of British and American citizens because they learn the truth in freedom, and when they learn the truth they turn away from Israel,” he said.
“This is the land of the brave. They defiantly oppose these restrictions.”
Mr. Hamdi said that during his detention, he witnessed numerous people being detained by ICE for almost a year, including a 70-year-old man and a former professor who fled persecution.
He also detailed the deterioration in his health as he was left in “solid agony” after a day or more in custody.
Mr. Hamdi said relations between ICE officials and inmates were strained as he witnessed difficult conditions with 80 to 90 people in a single room where he was forced to stay.
“It’s a battle of wills. You feel like ICE is being ruthless about this,” he said. “There is cruelty in this.”
But he said he was conscious of his “privilege” and the high profile that led to his release.
“Nothing that has happened to me, nothing that has happened to me compares to genocide,” he added. “When I remembered the photos of Sidra with her legs blown off, or the photos of Hind Rajab with 320 bullets fired into her car, or the ‘soul of my soul’ Reem, I didn’t dare to complain about my situation.”
U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said: “Sami Hamdi, an illegal alien and terrorist sympathizer who cheered for Hamas following the terrorist attack on October 7, has requested voluntary departure, and ICE is happy to arrange for his removal from this country.
“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country. This is just common sense.”
