DEPARTMENT OF UNFORCED ERRORS: Mayor Zohran Mamdani held an annual Puerto Rican heritage event today at Gracie Mansion that underscored a growing tiff.

The afternoon celebration was pared-down. Prominent leaders never received an invite or declined to attend. And Nuyoricans were initially told it wasn’t going to happen at all.

Roughly 200 people milled about the ornate entertaining room in the mayor’s official residence on the Upper East Side. A smattering of elected officials past and present were there, among them state Sens. Gustavo Rivera and Kristen Gonzalez and former Council members Rafael Salamanca and Carlina Rivera.

“New York City government has not done its part to serve Puerto Rican New Yorkers. Our City Hall is determined to change that,” Mamdani told the crowd, citing his administration’s plan to build municipal grocery stores in East Harlem and the Bronx.

The vibe, however, was a bit off.

In a matter of weeks, the mayor’s office has turned what’s normally a routine and low-stakes way of keeping in good stead with the Puerto Rican community into a self-inflicted political wound that comes as the democratic socialist tries more broadly to sweep out an old guard of Latino elected officials.

“There are people who are still upset about this,” said Erica González, former executive editor of El Diario La Prensa, the oldest, largest Spanish-language daily newspaper in the country. “It’s begging the question about what the treatment of the Puerto Rican community is going to be.”

Upon taking office, Mamdani created an outreach division called the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, which seeks to replicate the success of the volunteer army that helped propel him to victory (and in the process provide a taxpayer-funded boost to Mamdani’s reelection campaign). As POLITICO previously reported, the office also absorbed — and de-prioritized — several longstanding outreach divisions that help plan and execute events like today’s Gracie Mansion fiesta.

Earlier this month, a mass engagement representative told Puerto Rican leaders the annual event was not happening.

“In an effort to celebrate the National Puerto Rican Day in the company of as many working-class New Yorkers as possible, Mayor Mamdani and our administration are prioritizing his attendance at the 5th Ave Parade and the Knickerbocker Parade on June 14th instead of hosting an invitation-only reception,” Álvaro López, a former campaign staffer and DSA organizer who now works in the Office of Mass Engagement, wrote in an email.

Outrage inevitably followed. The mayor’s office quickly disavowed the email and said a reception was indeed in the works.

But at least some invitations didn’t go out until last week. Several prominent people weren’t contacted at all, and notable Puerto Rican political figures in the city — like former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito — were no-shows. On top of that, today’s midday event didn’t keep with the tradition of throwing a large-scale, invite-only evening bash ahead of Sunday’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Midtown. (The mayor’s office said heritage events will no longer feature a large tent in Gracie Mansion’s backyard). Some community leaders upset about the Mamdani snub held an alternative event Thursday evening in Brooklyn.

“It concerns me there is someone in the administration that thinks there’s some mythical, Downton Abbey class of Puerto Ricans that shows up to Gracie,” González said.

López, the Mass Engagement staffer whose email triggered much of the backlash, was on hand for Friday’s Gracie reception, tasked with checking in media at the front entrance. When a Playbook reporter arrived, López questioned why POLITICO should be allowed in. When asked why, López said he was only joking.

The dustup over the reception doesn’t seem to have affected Mamdani’s poll numbers with Latino voters. In a Data for Progress survey of New York City voters conducted May 20-26, nearly 60 percent of Latino respondents viewed the mayor either somewhat or very favorably.

The mayor is creating rifts elsewhere as well, though.

Mamdani endorsed a democratic socialist challenger to Rep. Adriano Espaillat in upper Manhattan and the Bronx, touching off a generational battle between older Dominican voters and younger, more affluent supporters of Darializa Avila Chevalier. And in Assemblymember Claire Valdez, Mamdani is betting against the chosen successor to Rep. Nydia Velázquez, one of the city’s most prominent Puerto Rican figures.

Velázquez was among those who skipped Mamdani’s Friday afternoon event, vaguely telling Playbook she had “too many things” to do. But in a sign of her irritation with Mamdani, she questioned why he threw a FIFA soccer event in Gracie’s backyard Thursday evening, saying it seemed like the same sort of private party his office is saying they want to move away from.

“We have to be clear about what is the policy going forward,” she said. “Because otherwise people will feel: Why them and not us?” — Chris Sommerfeldt  and Joe Anuta

FROM CITY HALL

ZOMBIE DISASSEMBLING: Yet another member of former Mayor Eric Adams’ legally dubious Charter Revision Commission has resigned — putting the zombie-like panel on the brink of extinction.

Ismael Claudio, a Brooklyn pastor who acted as a faith adviser to Adams while he was still mayor, resigned from the commission Monday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss the issue.

Kayla Mamelak, Adams’ former press secretary who also sits on the commission, wouldn’t comment on Claudio’s resignation. Claudio couldn’t be reached for comment.

Charter revision commissions, which are convened by mayors to propose ballot referendum questions for local elections, can only legally operate if they have at least nine members. With Claudio out, Adams’ panel only has nine members — the bare minimum to live on.

Three other members, Robert Tucker, Fernando Mateo and Shams DaBaron, also resigned in the past few weeks. Another two appointees, Martin Connor and Alfred Curtis, never filed the requisite paperwork to join the commission in the first place.

At least one additional member, retired labor leader Denis Hughes, hasn’t shown up to any of the commission’s public hearings. Mamelak insisted he is still a member of the commission, though. Hughes couldn’t be reached for comment.

Ultimately, resignations may be the smallest problem for the panel, which Adams launched on his final day in office.

Mamdani ordered Adams’ commission disbanded in late May, using a new authority granted him by the state. Mamdani also launched his own Charter Revision Commission and tasked it with advancing ballot questions for November related to improving government efficiency.

Randy Mastro, Adams’ former first deputy mayor and the counsel for Adams’ commission, has insisted Mamdani’s nullification order wasn’t lawful and is forging ahead.

On the same day Mamdani ordered Adams’ commission disbanded, the panel voted to advance a November ballot question that would, if approved by voters, establish an open primary system in local elections. Under such a system, it would likely be harder for democratic socialists like Mamdani to be elected, as the pool of primary voters would be expanded to include more conservative voters — a wrinkle that has reinforced many observers’ belief that Adams created his commission to deliberately stymie his successor.

In addition to voting to advance that referendum question, Adams’ commission has continued to hold public hearings to consider more questions for the November ballot. Among the additional proposals they’re looking at is a ballot question to create new, unspecified initiatives aimed at combating antisemitism in New York.

It’s unclear how the Adams commission’s actions — including those already taken — would be impacted if enough members resign for the panel to be nullified by default.

Mamdani’s administration has maintained that nothing the Adams commission is doing holds legal relevance since the mayor killed it weeks ago. — Chris Sommerfeldt 

FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

PAC IT UP, PART I: A shadowy super PAC war has descended upon the Democratic primary to take on Rep. Mike Lawler.

Progressive Champions PAC, a group that filed with the Federal Election Commission last month and has yet to disclose its donors, has placed close to $1 million on a TV advertising buy attacking Democratic candidate Cait Conley in the final days of the campaign.

Democrats were quick to accuse the group of being backed by GOP interests, pointing to a bank it shares with another PAC with ties to Republicans that spent in other Democratic primaries across the country.

It’s not unheard of for the opposite party to get involved in a primary across the aisle in an attempt to elevate candidates they think will be easier to defeat in the general election.

The ad hits Conley, an Army veteran who has drawn the support of national groups, over Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The narrator states that she is “bankrolled by firms partnered with a major ICE contractor targeting immigrants” — a reference to reporting that firms she consulted for aided immigration enforcement. She has repeatedly denied this claim.

“True activists fought ICE’s atrocities, but Conley kept collecting,” the ad continues. “That’s not progressive, that’s profiteering.”

In a statement, Conley said that “Republicans are seriously underestimating NY-17 Democrats who will see through their political lies and deceit.”

The PAC didn’t respond to Playbook’s request for comment. Its site states that its mission is to “elect bold, progressive candidates up and down the ballot who will fight for working families, protect our democracy, and build a future that works for everyone.”

Conley is one of five candidates running for the Democratic nod. Her two most high-profile challengers are Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson, who like Conley is running as a moderate, and Tarrytown Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley, who has sought to claim the progressive lane. Some Democrats worry that a far-left candidate would make flipping the battleground seat more difficult in November.

Conley also placed some blame for the PAC attack on Davidson, who has public messaging on her site echoing a similar sentiment as the ad. Davidson also ran a spot hitting Conley on the immigration issue.

In response, Davidson in a statement said “Mike Lawler and Republican dark money groups have no place meddling in our Democratic primary. Full stop.” (Phillips-Staley also condemned the spending.)

Lawler hasn’t shied away from hitting his potential Democratic opponents throughout the primary. But on Friday, his campaign insisted it couldn’t be bothered by the messiness across the aisle.

“Frankly, we don’t care who survives this clown car primary because every single one of them supports raising taxes on working people, making New York a Sanctuary State, and doesn’t have an independent or bipartisan bone in their body,” Lawler campaign manager Ciro Riccardi said in a statement. — Madison Fernandez

PAC IT UP, PART II: There’s yet another super PAC in the high-dollar Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Guardrails Alliance, a super PAC that registered with the FEC last month, has made a six-figure ad buy in the race, according to the ad tracker AdImpact. Public filings with the Federal Communications Commission show that the ad will refer to Assemblymember Alex Bores and focus on artificial intelligence — making it the latest AI-related PAC in the race.

Bores’ work on landmark AI regulation in the state Legislature has attracted millions of dollars both in support of and against him amid his congressional bid. Think Big — a super PAC backed by leaders at OpenAI and the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, among others who claim such regulation stifles innovation — has targeted Bores with more than $6 million in spending, according to FEC filings. A handful of other PACs, many of which have ties to those in the tech industry who are friendlier to AI guardrails, have spent $8 million supporting him, per the FEC.

Super PAC spending has been a sore spot in the race. In the closing days of the campaign, Bores’ opponents have expressed frustration with the heavy super PAC spending in support of him. — Madison Fernandez

BERNIE COMES TO TOWN: Bernie Sanders, Vermont senator and democratic socialist forefather, is coming to New York on Thursday in a last-minute push to boost progressive congressional candidates.

The New York Times first reported the event is set to feature Assemblymember Claire Valdez, who is running in the open race to succeed Velázquez; Darializa Avila Chevalier, who’s challenging Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat; and former city Comptroller Brad Lander, who’s looking to unseat Rep. Dan Goldman. All three are endorsed by Mamdani, who is also expected to join the rally.

Sanders’ team confirmed the event to Playbook.

Sanders, who is wildly popular in New York, previously endorsed Valdez and Lander. Both Valdez and Avila Chevalier are members of the Democratic Socialists of America and are backed by the city chapter in their bids; the two cross-endorsed each other.

But Lander has tried to keep some distance, despite appearing in a joint advertisement with Mamdani’s congressional slate. When asked at a press conference earlier this week why he would appear in that ad with Avila Chevalier, who attended a pro-Palestinian rally the day after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in 2023 — the same rally Lander said he left the DSA over — he said it was an “opportunity to show New Yorkers that politics can be a team sport.” He also clarified that he has not endorsed candidates in any other congressional primaries.

Avila Chevalier told reporters last week that she went to that rally to “stand against” Israel engaging in “a response that is often disproportionate and creates a greater loss of life.” She added that she has “condemned Hamas” and does “not believe that celebrating the loss of anybody’s life is OK.”

Avila Chevalier’s profile has been heightened in recent weeks, following Mamdani’s endorsement. But with that has also come more scrutiny — particularly of her social media activity from the beginning of the decade. One such post criticized what she called Sanders’ “liberal Zionism.” But Avila Chevalier has repeatedly said that she has changed in the years since she made those posts and has accused Espaillat of relitigating old posts to distract from other issues in the race. — Jason Beeferman and Madison Fernandez

WORLD CUP WATCH

MOHAWK VALLEY MADNESS: When Bosnian refugees started arriving in Utica in the mid-1990s, it was a down-on-its-heels upstate Rust Belt city that had seen its population crater by roughly a third from a midcentury peak of just over 100,000 residents.

“I thought I came to another war zone when I came here,” said Hanka Grabovica, who arrived in the Mohawk Valley city in 2001 when she was 16 years old, citing the prevalence of boarded-up buildings and garbage on the streets. “Utica was pretty bad back then.”

Grabovica was part of a wave of Bosnian refugees who settled in Utica after fleeing the brutal war in their native country — and its messy aftermath — that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia. Exact figures are tough to pin down, but it’s believed that about 6,000 Bosnians now live in Utica — or nearly 10 percent of the total population.

The city’s unlikely emergence as an epicenter of Bosnian American culture will probably never be more prominently on display than this afternoon when Bosnia and Herzegovina faces Canada on the second day of the World Cup. It’s just the second time Bosnia has qualified for the tournament since it became an independent country in 1992.

The dramatic and unlikely way that the country punched its ticket to North America — knocking off four-time World Cup champion Italy via penalty kicks in a one-match playoff — has heightened the delirium among Bosnians from Sarajevo to St. Louis (the largest enclave of Bosnians in the U.S.) to Utica.

“Seeing this national team progress to the World Cup is definitely something amazing,” said Sandro Sehic, secretary of the Bosnian American Community Association of Utica, noting that many ethnic Serbians and Croatians who live in the country still refuse to play for the national team owing to lingering tensions from the war. “Bosnia is still struggling politically, socially. There are still so many problems that are still affecting the country.” Read more from Paul Demko in POLITICO  

IN OTHER NEWS

— GROCERY EXPANSION: City Council member Jennifer Gutiérrez introduced a bill to expand Mamdani’s city-owned grocery story plan and make it a permanent part of city government. (The City Reporter)

— WHO CALLS THE SHOTS: GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman called Gov. Kathy Hochul’s newly passed bill that requires children to be vaccinated for summer camp “un-American.” (Gothamist)

— BUG INVASION: Tick season is in full swing with a rare case of Lyme disease being detected in the Empire State for the first time. (CBS News)

Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.

Source link

A judge has told four ‘Filton 25’ anti-genocide activists, at Woolwich Crown Court today, 12 June 2026, that they will be sentenced as terrorists. The four had been tried for no terrorism offences and were formally acquitted of any violent intent. Former security services lawyer-turned-judge Jeremy Johnson refused to recuse himself from the case despite his obvious conflicts of interest. Johnson had banned lawyers and the press from informing the jury that they could acquit — and that the defendants were going to be sentenced under terror laws if convicted.

This decision will mean much longer prison time and draconian conditions imposed on the young activists for decades even after release. These could include having to register their phones with the authorities, report on any relationships and obtain permission to travel. Johnson claimed his decision was, in part, because the actionists had worn red jumpsuits and some employees of the Israeli death factory would have been upset by the action against their workplace.

Hundreds of lawyers, academics and others had warned that the sentencing plan would be a gross injustice with no lawful basis, but Johnson has gone ahead anyway. Human rights group Amnesty International has condemned Johnson and the government for the “grossly disproportionate” punishment, saying:

Amnesty opposes the use of terrorism powers in this case.

It is completely disproportionate to punish protesters for criminal damage as if they were terrorists, a sentence which stays with you for life.
The defendants in today’s case were sentenced as terrorists because prosecutors want to make an example of them.

Advertisement

Today’s decision shows how direct action protesters could be treated in the future. The use of terrorism laws against direct action protesters must end.

Together we must continue calling out the abuse of power and fighting for our right to protest.

Filton 25 — Heartbreaking and grotesque

The Good Law Project described Johnson’s decision as “grotesque”:

This grotesque distortion of the law tightens the screws on the public’s right to protest, placing more limits on our freedom to fight injustice.

The ‘Defend our Juries’ group called it “heartbreaking”:

BREAKING: Judge Johnson has confirmed the Filton Four will be sentenced based on a ‘terrorist connection’.

This heart breaking news comes despite the protestors never being charged or convicted of terror offences or violent intent. pic.twitter.com/SB1Sbse2ej

— Defend Our Juries (@DefendOurJuries) June 12, 2026

Keir Starmer’s war on UK rights to protect Israel from accountability for its crimes has turned Britain into a failed and terror state.

Anything to protect Israel from accountability for its crimes.

Featured image via the Canary

By Skwawkbox

Source link

Source link

Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, revealed that the United States denied his visa to attend the 2026 World Cup, despite his presence in Mexico City to participate in events for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Rajoub was unable to obtain a U.S. entry visa. This prevented him from attending World Cup matches and official functions in his capacity as head of the Palestinian FA—events that heads of national federations typically attend during the tournament.

Rajoub stated that football is supposed to be a tool for uniting people, not dividing them, arguing that barring accredited sports officials from attending the global event runs counter to the message the game seeks to promote.

Rajoub’s case emerges amid a broader crisis regarding U.S. entry visas during the 2026 World Cup, as several sports officials, referees, and journalists from various countries have faced similar difficulties despite having the necessary accreditations to attend the tournament.

In this context, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the existence of challenges related to visa procedures but emphasized that the organization does not have the authority to intervene in sovereign decisions regarding immigration and entry into host nations.

The exclusion of the Palestinian FA head from parts of the World Cup raises new questions about whether all accredited participants will be able to access the tournament, especially as FIFA promotes a message of inclusion and openness, describing the 2026 edition as the most expansive in World Cup history.

Featured image via Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

By Alaa Shamali

Source link

The nation’s conservative advocacy groups will be well represented at the Great American State Fair, a two-week-long exposition celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall that is blessed by President Donald Trump and his allies.

The fair is organized by Freedom 250, a nonprofit set up by the president and his allies to promote the country’s semiquincentennial. Freedom 250 has clashed with — and overshadowed — America250, a bipartisan organization chartered by Congress a decade ago to prepare for the country’s anniversary.

Conservative organizations featured at the fair, according to a release sent on Friday by Freedom 250, include America Prays, a coalition of evangelical and other religious groups that calls for weekly prayer for the United States of America; the American Principles Project, a prominent political advocacy organization; and the Association of Mature American Citizens, which pitches itself as a rival to the AARP.

Joining them is Hillsdale College, a small Christian liberal arts school known for its conservative bent, and Focus on the Family, a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ ministry that describes its mission as one dedicated to fostering “marriages that go the distance, equip parents to raise great kids and put Jesus Christ at the center of homes worldwide.”

Some Democrats have charged that Trump has taken the bipartisanship out of the monumental anniversary. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) in February said that the administration was working to “hijack the country’s 250th anniversary and sell access, hide his donors and rewrite history.” Also in February, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) launched a probe into Freedom 250’s fundraising practices.

The fair will run from June 25 to July 10, “and transform the National Mall into a living showcase of America’s past, present, and future,” organizers announced on Friday.

“PRAY.COM is honored to be participating in the Great American State Fair as an opportunity to connect with people from across the country,” Steve Gatena, founder and CEO of Pray.com — one of the lead organizers of America Prays — said in a statement. “Our mission is to grow faith and cultivate community through technology, and we look forward to sharing resources that support prayer, encouragement, and spiritual well-being.”

None of the other organizations immediately responded to requests for comment.

Painter Scott LoBaido, whose website promotes a print of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani blowing up Manhattan, will also be doing live art at the fair, according to the Friday release.

Organizers said more than 100 states and institutions will be represented with booths at the fair. The event is also drawing companies with no specific political affiliation, from C-SPAN to Meta and tractor company John Deere.

“Americans have been arguing at the dinner table for 250 years and somehow still showed up to the same Fourth of July party,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner said in a statement when asked about the conservative groups’ participation. “We’re not stopping now. The Great American State Fair, July 4 fireworks, the whole spectacular once-in-a-generation 250th anniversary blowout — it’s happening, and your neighbor with the opposing bumper sticker is going to be standing right next to you, probably enjoying it just as much. Freedom 250 is a celebration for America — which, last we checked, includes all of it. Every single star on that flag. See you there.”

But some states have chosen to sit out. At least six states — Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oregon — will officially not be sending anyone to the fair, NOTUS reported on Thursday. Freedom 250 is bringing in other institutions from those states, the outlet wrote.

In May, several musical artists dropped out of planned performances at the fair after learning of its ties to Trump, prompting the president to announce plans to hold a political rally instead, scheduled for June 24.

“It will be special at every level — A Rally to end all Rallies!” he wrote on Truth Social last week. “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”

Source link

It seems that Canadian star Jack Innanen will not be appearing in the second season of Heated Rivalry after all.

And let’s just say, the show’s always-rational fan community haven’t exactly taken the news well.

However, on Wednesday, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that this would not be happening after all, citing a “source close to production” who claimed that Jack was offered the chance to join the cast, but had to turn it down due to scheduling issues.

While at the moment, we only have this undisclosed “source” to go off, the news has still spread quickly throughout the Heated Rivalry fandom, with many voicing their disappointment at no longer having the prospect of Jack joining the show to look forward to…

Advertisement

NOOOO jesus was offered the role of god in the bible and turned it down ????

— vivi 🦈 (@sharkyfinss) June 10, 2026

what r the odds of the jack innanen sad news being fake so that when the casting announcement drops everyone’s liek omg!!!

— m 🏒 (@joondulac) June 10, 2026

jack innanen took one look at the fandom and decided it wasn’t worth deleting his entire media footprint over

— lu (@hudrated) June 10, 2026

HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for Jack Innanen and the Canadian broadcaster Crave for comment.

Advertisement

Heated Rivalry became an unexpected TV phenomenon when it premiered on Crave last year, making household names of its lead stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, and gaining an even bigger international audience when it was picked up by the streaming service HBO Max in the US.

Adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers young adult novel series, the show was quickly snapped up for a second season at the beginning of this year.

Filming on the new episodes is due to get underway later this year, ahead of its release in April 2027.

Showrunner Jacob Tierney told Variety in December 2025: “We understand that everybody’s goal is to not do two years between seasons. And at the same time, I don’t want to put out a rushed shitty second season just because the show is very popular.

“But we’re very aware that our creative partners are enthusiastic and don’t want to wait too long. We’re getting back to work!”

Advertisement

Season one of Heated Rivalry is available to stream on Sky and Now in the UK.

Source link

Aristotelis Chantzis has entered the 130th day of a hunger strike in defence of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika in central Athens, as concerns continue to grow over plans to evict residents and redevelop the historic neighbourhood.

The second hunger striker, Suzon Doppagne, who joined the protest in solidarity on 1 May, is approaching 50 days of her hunger strike. More members of the community, some of them with serious health problems, have also announced plans to join the hunger strike.

The protest comes in response to a redevelopment plan approved by the regional government of Attica in June 2025 that would lead to the eviction of the approximately 400 residents of the Prosfygika neighbourhood. Residents include families with children, refugees, older people, oncology patients and their relatives, and people participating in rehabilitation programs.

The word “prosfygika” means “refugee settlement” and the community lives in a set of apartment blocks dating from the 1930s, when they provided housing for refugees from Asia Minor.

Supporters of the Community say they’ve seen no concrete rehousing guarantees. The case has increasingly drawn international attention from human rights organisations, legal experts, academics, and housing advocates.

Prosfygika delegation seeks international support

Recently, a delegation of the community went to Brussels, where they had meetings with over 20 members of the European Parliament. In a press conference on 4 June, Nikos Kolokotronis, a lawyer and member of the Committee for the Promotion and Defence of the Community and its Collective Memory, said that all MEPs committed to supporting the community and its struggle for justice.

This includes the submission of questions to the European Parliament, a joint announcement of their support for the Community and the prioritisation of this struggle, due to the urgency of the Hunger Strike.

They will emphasize that the EU-funded contract to evict the community relies on severe irregularities, such as a violation of the partnership principles.

On 27 April, Amnesty International called for the suspension of forced eviction plans and raised concerns regarding possible violations of fundamental and constitutionally protected human rights. Amnesty urged authorities to review the demands raised by the hunger strikers and residents in line with international human rights standards.

Additionally an official complaint has also been submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, who has reportedly taken up the case following concerns regarding potential human rights implications connected to the planned eviction process.

The Community of Squatted Prosfygika calls for participation in a demonstration in Syntagma Square, Athens at 12pm on 14 June and for national and international actions in solidarity with the struggle. In its statement the community declares:

We declare once again that this fight will continue to the end. From the first moment, we knew it was a struggle for life or death, dignity or submission, resistance or destruction.

The collective decision of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika and our two comrades who have decided to go beyond their limits, to fight until the end, with an understanding of the cost and unwavering faith in our victory.

Advertisement

Featured image via Save Prosfygika

By The Canary

Source link

Source link

Source link

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), in collaboration with the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), has written to the Metropolitan police asking them to assess the legal issues in relation to a London edition of the Great Israeli Real Estate event under the Serious Crime Act and if appropriate apply for a Serious Crime Prevention Order on 14 June.

ICJP previously issued a letter to the Met calling for an immediate investigation into the legality of the event and those associated with the event under UK domestic law, providing the Met with an overview of the event’s illegality.

The Great Israeli Real Estate event is one of a number of events aimed at marketing and facilitating the purchase of property in both illegal Israeli settlements located in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and cities within Israel.

According to promotional material, the event will feature consultants offering advice on property acquisitions, advertising properties as “your dream home” and providing support for:

important life planning needs in Israel, including burial services.

The Serious Crime Prevention Order letter serves as an urgent escalation in light of the imminence of the event and ICJP has stressed the time-sensitive nature of the situation.

This is yet another attempt to ensure the police uphold their obligations to investigate events of this nature without bias and take available legal measures accordingly.

Israeli property event demands urgent attention

The matters raised in the letter require immediate consideration of investigative steps, preservation of evidence, and assessment of whether preventative or enforcement action may be appropriate within the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

ICJP has raised grounds for concern of the event’s potential illegality under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 (ss. 327–329), the Fraud Act 2006 (s. 1), and the Serious Crime Act 2007.

As ICJP has previously noted, the UK government maintains that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are unlawful under international law.

The International Court of Justice’s July 2024 Advisory Opinion reinforced this position. It concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the territory is unlawful and that third states are under obligations not to recognise or assist in maintaining the resulting situation.

Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s public affairs and communications officer, said:

This order sets out further evidence of the serious concerns surrounding the illegality of this event, concerns we have already raised with the Metropolitan police.

Palestinian land is not for sale, and occupation is not a real estate opportunity.

Advertisement

This event seeks to profit from a settlement enterprise that the UK itself recognises as illegal under international law. We have provided the Met with the evidence. The responsibility now lies with the authorities to act and prevent this event from going ahead.

Featured image via Getty Images

By The Canary

Source link