NEW YORK (CIVITAS) — Growing up in the West Bank, Leqaa Kordia faced the painful reality of being separated from her family in Gaza due to Israeli restrictions. Her only contact with her relatives was through calls from Gaza's beaches, allowing her to hear the laughter of her cousins and the sound of waves.
Tragedy struck as many of those relatives perished in the war that has ravaged the Gaza Strip. More than 200 days into her detention in Texas, Kordia reflects on her helplessness. Every day I feel powerless, unable to amplify my family's cries for help, she shared, revealing the depth of her uncertainty while incarcerated.
Having resided in New Jersey since 2016, Kordia was one of the first individuals arrested under the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While many activists have since been released, Kordia remains detained, largely unnoticed by the public eye, her case marred by mislabeling and a complex legal situation.
Her participation in protests against Israeli actions stemmed from her deep personal ties to Gaza, having lost over 170 family members to the ongoing violence. She initially turned to the streets as a way to help those suffering back home, believing her activism could create change.
However, her efforts have led to scrutiny by U.S. officials, who have mischaracterized her money transfers to family members as potential support for terrorism, adding another layer to her ongoing legal battle.
Despite a recent court ruling criticizing the unlawful targeting of protests, Kordia's fate remains uncertain as bureaucratic challenges persist. As she continues to await a resolution, Kordia remains determined to return to her loved ones and live a life in peace.
