US Judge Orders Release of Turkish Student Detained for Pro-Palestinian Activism

A U.S. federal judge ordered the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University detained following her pro-Palestinian activism and visa revocation, highlighting serious First Amendment concerns around free speech and academic freedom. Her detention, which led to health issues due to asthma attacks, sparked international outcry, with Turkish civil society groups and academic organizations demanding her release and condemning what they describe as a crackdown on peaceful pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses. The arrest is part of a broader pattern where over 1,000 international students have faced visa revocations or deportation for similar activism, raising alarms about suppression of political expression under increasing Israeli influence in the U.S. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner, former senior advisor to President Trump, has resumed advising the administration on Middle East policy, particularly efforts to expand the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations, despite ethical concerns due to his business ties in the region. Although Kushner's efforts do not anticipate immediate deals, they reflect ongoing U.S. engagement in regional diplomacy amidst the backdrop of heightened tensions related to Palestine. These developments underscore the intersection of U.S. domestic policy enforcement and foreign diplomacy concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.