9/5/07 - Israeli Government Prevents Lakeland Children From Flying Home
Mother, Three Children Return, Seven More Stuck in Palestine

The Lakeland family was separated on Aug. 18 at an Israeli airport as they attempted to return home from a summer visiting relatives in Palestine. Although Wedad Yacoub is a naturalized U.S. citizen and all her children were born in America, Israeli officials would not allow them to board the flight.

Wedad Yacoub was forced to choose between remaining in Palestine with 10 of her 11 children or return with the three youngest children, leaving the other seven behind. The eleventh child was back home in Lakeland.