Activists Recount Harrowing Experience With Zionist Forces, Appreciate Government’s Swift Action To Secure Their Release

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Several volunteers who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza shared their harrowing experiences of facing the Zionist regime’s soldiers during their detention last week.

Nurfarahin Romli, better known as Farah Lee, who was aboard the vessel Grande Blu, recounted her distressing experience of being detained and handcuffed while participating in the humanitarian mission to Palestine, calling on Malaysians to remain courageous and continue speaking up for the liberation of Palestine.

In her emotional address before thousands gathered during the ‘Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza: Gelombang Malaysia, Palestin Merdeka’ at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, here tonight, Farah Lee said they had protested after being denied drinking water throughout the day and refused to return to their cells until their basic needs were met.

“We told them we would not go back into the cell if the soldiers did not give us water,” she said, adding that the protest lasted nearly half an hour and she stood her ground to defend her companions.

Farah Lee also described how she was roughly forced into the cell by the authorities, but maintained her courage and conviction that they were on the true side.

“I was not afraid because I knew I was right… I was pulled, pushed and thrown into the cell… but I remained brave, I continued to look into the eyes of those Israeli soldiers,” she said.

Sharing a similar bitter experience, singer and humanitarian activist Zizi Kirana, whose real name is Nur Fazelah Mad Tahil, said she and her companion were detained by Israeli soldiers shortly after the GSF vessel she was on board was intercepted.

According to Zizi, she, who was on the vessel Huga, and fellow activist Ardell Aryana, who was aboard the Mikeno, were among the first individuals brought to the Port of Ashdod following the interception incident.

“I was left under the scorching sun for an hour and a half with my companion… our hijabs were pulled and removed, but we remained steadfast. In our hearts, we could only say ‘Ya Allah,’ because this is exactly what the women of Gaza go through,” she said.

She also recalled her experience at the Israeli immigration counter, where officers from the Zionist regime greeted them with cynical remarks.

“When they said, ‘Welcome to Israel, have you been to Israel before?’, I confidently replied, ‘You should open and read the first page of my passport, that you are not recognised in my country.’

“They immediately threw my passport and dragged me to the next table,” she said.

Zizi stressed that the ordeal did not weaken her spirit but instead strengthened her resolve to continue standing up for her brothers and sisters in Palestine.

Meanwhile, the activists also expressed their appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the MADANI government for their swift and diplomatic efforts in securing their release from Israeli detention.

Humanitarian activist Nur Hazwani Afiqah, who was on the vessel Hio with her sister, singer Heliza Helmi, said she was deeply moved that their group was released earlier than other international delegations detained by the Israeli regime.

“We were truly surprised because among those released early from prison was our group. It happened thanks to the strong support from the Malaysian government,” she said.

Nur Hazwani added that the swift release not only boosted the morale of all Malaysian activists involved but also reassured their families and Malaysians back home that their mission was never left unsupported.

Meanwhile, Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin, better known as Ardell Aryana, also extended her gratitude to the Prime Minister and all parties who continuously prayed for and supported them throughout the humanitarian voyage.

“The spirit we carried was actually the spirit of all of you. I am grateful to the Prime Minister for working tirelessly to secure our release, and to everyone who continues to support the struggle for Palestinian freedom,” she said.

A total of 23 Malaysian volunteers detained by Israeli forces during the GSF humanitarian mission to Gaza safely returned home last night, greeted with overwhelming emotion and gratitude at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.

-- BERNAMA