The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will host a press conference on Thursday, June 11, featuring Chicago residents who recently returned home after being kidnapped by Israeli forces while participating in the Global Sumud Freedom Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza.
The U.S. citizen activists will share firsthand accounts of the interception of their vessel, their kidnapping, and their efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians facing famine and genocidal conditions in Gaza.
WHAT: Press conference featuring Global Sumud Freedom Flotilla activists who recently returned home after being kidnapped by Israeli forces while participating in the humanitarian mission to Gaza.
WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 2026 — 11:00 a.m. CDT
LIVESTREAM: facebook.com/cairchicago
WHERE: CAIR-Chicago Azima Center, 17 N. State St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602
WHO:
- Isselmou, Freedom Flotilla Activist
- Suza, Freedom Flotilla Activist
- Farah Chalisa, Human Rights Attorney, INSAF Project Founder
- Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago
Isselmou and Suza were among hundreds of international activists aboard the flotilla when Israeli forces intercepted the vessel. During their detention, harrowing videos recorded by participants circulated widely on social media, drawing international attention and prompting calls for their release. Since then, reports have emerged detailing grave human rights violations, including allegations of torture, sexual violence, and other abuses, with no meaningful accountability to date.
The press conference comes amid growing calls for accountability regarding the treatment of U.S. citizens by Israeli military and security forces. Advocates point to a long list of Americans—including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, peace activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 80-year-old Omar Assad, human rights defender Rachel Corrie, Chicago resident Khammis Ayyad, Florida resident Sayfollah Musallet, and others—who were killed, injured, or kidnapped without resulting criminal indictments or publicly disclosed U.S. investigations. More recently, advocates have raised concerns regarding the detention of American citizen Sama Safi in the occupied West Bank.
CAIR-Chicago calls on Congress and the Administration to launch independent investigations into the treatment of American citizens participating in humanitarian missions, investigate attacks and deaths involving U.S. citizens by Israeli military forces or settlers, ensure that no foreign government receives an exemption from accountability when American lives are at stake, and end all unconditional military, diplomatic, and political support for a regime engaged in genocide.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Jordan Esparza-Kelley, CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator, 224-627-1032, j-esparzakelley@cair.com; Farah Chalisa, Human rights attorney & INSAF Project Founder, 224-392-7822, attorneychalisa@gmail.com