Malaysians who joined a multinational flotilla seeking to break Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza have returned home with disturbing allegations of mistreatment in Israeli custody, including the confiscation of hijabs and being forced to drink toilet water.
The group of 34 Malaysians, ranging from musicians and actors to rappers and influencers, had joined hundreds of international activists in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail this summer on a humanitarian mission to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The flotilla, composed of more than 40 vessels and carrying 500 activists from 44 countries, was intercepted by Israeli forces on October 3 in international waters, some 50 nautical miles (93km) from Gaza’s devastated coastline.
The Malaysian contingent spent two days in custody, much to the outrage of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, before being handed over to Turkish officials for repatriation.
On Wednesday, more volunteers including Malaysian citizens were detained by Israeli forces after two ships – Conscience and Thousand Madleens – were intercepted en route to Gaza.
