Mistreatment and psychological intimidation: Activists share experiences after Israeli Flotilla ordeal

Last week, a humanitarian flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces, turning what was meant to be a peaceful mission of hope into a tense standoff.

Activists from over 40 countries, including a group of South Africans, hoped to break the blockade and create a permanent humanitarian corridor for Gaza.

Basheerah Soomar from the global organising committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) explained that as Israeli forces moved in, the mission turned chaotic, with boats detained and diverted.

Soomar, who was on a separate observer boat, described the harrowing experience, witnessing Israeli Navy vessels using water cannons and drones to target the flotilla.

"We knew interception was very, very likely and that maybe a few boats would make it to the Gaza shore and slip through, but we never expected that all of our boats would have an easy or safe passage."

Robert Martin, an Australian activist, shared his experience of being detained under similar circumstances, recounting stories of mistreatment and psychological intimidation,highlighting the extreme conditions faced by those detained.

"We are activists delivering food, medication and teddy bears in the hope of the world towards the Palestinians of Gaza, and they try and shatter that by carrying M16s and revolvers and all of these sorts of things to try and intimidate us and then stand over us. I also believe that we were gassed; to have a crew of 21 that had been at sea for a while to fall asleep for around 8 to 10 hours with machine guns pointed at them is unheard of."

Despite their ordeals, both Soomar and Martin expressed their unwavering commitment to the cause, stating that they will not be deterred and that the fight for Palestinian self-determinationand freedom continues.

To listen to Basheerah Soomar and Robert Martin in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click the audio below: