Ashura is a time of remembrance, sacrifice and reflection.
Today, on the 10th day of Muharram, we are reminded of Imam Hussain's unwavering commitment to truth and dignity. His timeless legacy reminds us of the enduring values of faith, service to one another, and the belief that justice is always worth fighting for.
Our City’s strength comes from the many faith traditions that shape it — and our shared struggle against injustice and oppression.
May we carry these values forward as we continue building a more just City for every New Yorker.
After a week in Israeli custody, flotilla activist Saif Abu Keshek has been deported to Greece. He recorded a defiant message after arriving in Athens, urging supporters to keep mobilising for Palestine.
Manter a prisão do cidadão brasileiro Thiago Ávila, integrante da flotilha “Global Sumud”, é uma ação injustificável do governo de Israel, causa grande preocupação e deve ser condenada por todos. A detenção dos ativistas da flotilha em águas internacionais já havia representado uma séria afronta ao direito internacional. Por isso, nosso governo, juntamente com o da Espanha, que também teve um cidadão detido, exige que eles recebam plena garantia de segurança e sejam imediatamente soltos.
We call for the release of activists #Saif Abu Keshek and #Thiago Avila who's arbitrary detention has been extended by an Israeli court after the unlawful interception of the #GlobalSumudFlotilla vessels in international waters last week.
The two activists were participating in a peaceful solidarity mission aiming to break Israel's unlawful blockade of the #Gaza Strip and deliver aid to Palestinians struggling to survive under Israel’s genocide and unlawful occupation.
They are at great risk of human rights abuses, including torture and other ill-treatment given @amnesty's previous documentation of the abuse inflicted on flotilla activists detained in October 2025 at the hands of the Israeli authorities
It is especially concerning that Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian-Spanish-Swedish national, is being detained on suspicion of affiliation with a terrorist organization given Israel's discriminatory laws and persistent record of harassment and oppression of Palestinians under Israel’s system of apartheid. Israel must immediately release them and ensure they are protected while in custody.
Israel’s defiance of international law must end. The ICJ has been clear: Israel’s #occupation is unlawful and must be brought to an end. States must act now to restore some faith in international law by holding Israel accountable for its violations and crimes.
🚨New Testimonies Reveal Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya Stripped, Beaten, and Set Upon by Dogs in Israeli Detention
Three recently released Palestinian prisoners have provided harrowing testimony about the condition of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who has been held in Israeli detention since his arrest on December 27, 2024.
Released prisoner Ahmad Qaddas said he initially did not recognize Abu Safiya due to his physical deterioration. He described the doctor spending most of his time “sitting in a daze,” barely able to speak, while fellow prisoners could hear him screaming during beatings but were powerless to intervene — with those who tried to help facing tear gas raids.
A second witness, Hamza Abu Omeira, said Abu Safiya suffered constant vomiting, could not keep food down, and was denied medical care. He described seven consecutive days during which prisoners were shackled by both hands and feet. He said Abu Safiya was also reportedly forced to repeat degrading phrases about himself under torture.
A third released prisoner said he witnessed Abu Safiya being stripped, beaten after interrogation, and attacked by police dogs that “scratched him and knocked him to the ground.”
All three witnesses warned he faces imminent death if not released immediately. Abu Safiya is one of 737 medical workers arrested by Israel since the start of the war, according to Al Jazeera.
Source: Palestinian Information Center
Mother of detained Gaza flotilla activist Thiago Ávila dies without seeing her son freed
Teresa Regina de Ávila e Silva, the mother of detained activist Thiago Ávila, has passed away while her son remains held by the occupation following his abduction in international waters.
@HeidiBachram I filmed this video.
You are lying.
This is the order he received from the guards - to keep his hands in handcuffed position. I heard it myself.
I do not give you permission to use my video to spread Zionist propaganda. Delete it within one hour, or I will sue you.
Kolejny tort na 50-te urodziny Ben Gvira. To musiała być gruba impreza i Itamar dzisiaj może nie wykonywać swoich obowiązków czyli - musztry palestyńskich więźniów, przeglądu arabskich nieruchomości, wyburzeń palestyńskich domów oraz publicznych awantur na ulicach lub w Knesecie,
בית המשפט השלום באשקלון האריך הרגע את מעצרם של הפעילים טיאגו דה אבילה וסייף אבו קישק בחשד לחברות בארגון טרור ומגע עם סוכן זר.
תבינו את הטירוף הזה: הצבא הישראלי השתלט על הסירה שלהם במים בינלאומיים ללא כל סמכות חוקית(אפילו לא לפי חוקי המשטר הישראלי) בזמן שהם במשט הומניטרי הרחק מכאן, והביאו אותם לאשקלון.
הם נבחרו בפינצטה בשביל ההצגה הזו.
זהו תחליתו של משפט פוליטי ממש מביך שמערכת המשפט כמובן מגבה.
למדינת ישראל אין שום סמכות אכיפה כזו במים בינלאומיים כלפי אזרחים זרים.
ישוחרר גטו עזה, ישוחררו כל האסירים הפוליטיים!
🚨Breaking:
The Israeli court just extended Thiago de Ávila’s arrest by 2 more days, after he was kidnapped by the Israeli army in international waters.
The hearing for Saif Abu Keshek is starting now.
I’m here at the court to show full support for the flotilla activists.
The terror state is trying to accuse the activists of membership in a terrorist organization - you can’t make this stuff up.
They are represented by @AdalahEnglish
Free Palestine🇵🇸✊
More than 200 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla who were seized at sea by Israeli forces and taken to the Greek island of Crete were released earlier today, with photos showing visible injuries including bruising, cuts, and swelling; participants say they were beaten and abused in custody.
🚨We are deeply concerned for the safety of activists #SaifAbuKeshek and #ThiagoAvila who are being taken to #Israel for questioning after being arbitrarily detained by the Israeli military after the unlawful interception of the #GlobalSumudFlotilla vessels in international waters.
🚨The two activists were participating in a peaceful solidarity mission aiming to break Israel's unlawful blockade of the #Gaza Strip and deliver aid to Palestinians struggling to survive under Israel’s genocide and unlawful occupation.
🚨They are at great risk of human rights abuses, including torture and other ill-treatment given @amnesty's previous documentation of the abuse inflicted on flotilla activists detained in October 2025 at the hands of the Israeli authorities
🚨It is especially concerning that Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian-Spanish-Swedish national, is being detained on suspicion of affiliation with a terrorist organization given Israel's discriminatory laws and persistent record of harassment and oppression of Palestinians under Israel’s system of apartheid. Israel must immediately release them and ensure they are protected while in custody.
🚨Israel’s defiance of international law must end. The ICJ has been clear: Israel’s #occupation is #unlawful and must be brought to an end. States must act now to restore some faith in international law by holding Israel accountable for its violations and crimes.
‼️ „Krzyki Saifa Abukeshka rozbrzmiewały po całym statku, gdy był torturowany w izolatce”.
@pl_globalsumud potwierdza doniesienia o torturach; domaga się natychmiastowej interwencji międzynarodowej w związku z transportem uprowadzonych cywilów przez izraelski statek w kierunku okupowanej Palestyny.
Zeznania naocznych świadków potwierdzają, że @SABUBCN był poddawany torturom na pokładzie izraelskiego statku wojskowego, podczas gdy władze europejskie nie zapobiegły temu bezprawnemu transportowi.
Bezpieczeństwo polskich obywateli biorących udział w inicjatywie Sumud Global Flotilla było przedmiotem rozmowy z chargé d’affaires Ambasady Izraela w Warszawie. Służba konsularna i dyplomatyczna pozostają w pełnej gotowości.
Wody międzynarodowe.
Ok. 600 mil od Gazy.
Stanowcze oburzenie to podstawa, tym bardziej, że Prokuratura w Gdańsku wszczęła śledztwo w sprawie poprzedniej flotylli oraz przesłuchała już pierwszych świadków.
❗️Polscy aktywiści Flotylli donoszą, że Izrael porwał 22 łodzie i ich załogi, w tym obywatelka Polski Magdalena Górska. Do zatrzymania miało dojść na wodach międzynarodowych w pobliżu Grecji. Potrzebujemy pilnej interwencji @MSZ_RP@radeksikorski w obronie naszej obywatelki!