Ilan Grapel lands in Israel
US-Israeli national Ilan Grapel returns home after four months in Cairo’s custody. Total of 25 Egyptians incarcerated in Israel cross over to Egypt
Shortly after arriving in Israel Grapel and his mother met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his chambers in Jerusalem. Congressman Gary Ackerman told Grapel Netanyahu had promised him in June he would do everything in his power to bring him home. Grapel, in turn, replied that that is what helped through the tough times.
The US State Department issued a statement welcoming Grapel’s release.
“The United States welcomes the release of Ilan Grapel, who we have worked hard to bring home since his June detention in Egypt. We thank the Governments of Egypt and Israel for their roles in reuniting him with his family. The Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty is a vital element of regional peace and stability, and we strongly support both countries’ sustained commitment to its provisions.”