Some 60 Israelis in US custody in wake of September 11: report
( 2001-11-24 14:31 ) (7 )

About 60 Israeli youths traveling in the United States have been caught in the web of detentions initiated by federal law enforcement in the wake of the terrorist attacks September 11, the Washington Post reported Friday.

Both male and female Israelis in their mid to late 20's, most of whom have just completed their mandatory military service have been stopped in the weeks following the attacks, in states including New York, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and California.

Authorities have been unable to prove any links between those detained and terror acts, the daily reported. All been picked up on immigration violations, either having overstayed tourist visas or caught working illegally.

Neither the Immigration and Naturalization Service nor the Justice Department was available to comment Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

A spokesman for Israel's ambassador to Washington told AFP the embassy had been in contact with the detained youths' families, and noted that "all Israelis who come to the United States must respect the law + in the way we expect Americans to do when they come to Israel."