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Hadi Azmi

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.
Among those detained and deported by Israeli authorities was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose participation drew international media attention.
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.
Anwar strongly condemned the second interception. “The act of detaining a humanitarian ship carrying aid for the people of Gaza is inhumane and violates the basic principles of human rights and universal human dignity,” he wrote on social media on Wednesday.
“I demand that all Malaysian activists and volunteers be released immediately, given appropriate protection, and not be harmed during their detention.”
He vowed that his government “will do its utmost to protect the lives of every Malaysian child involved in this humanitarian mission and will liaise with partner countries and international organisations to facilitate their release as soon as possible”.

At Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Tuesday night, the released Malaysians were met by crowds and a throng of media. Social media personality Farah Lee, visibly shaken, described how women in the group had been stripped of their hijabs by Israeli guards.
“Our right to practise our religion and belief was besmirched, our hijabs taken away, and we were humiliated with our heads uncovered,” Farah told the assembled crowd. Forced to improvise, she said she fashioned a T-shirt into a makeshift hijab, wearing it throughout the journey home.
“This is a symbol of the women of the Global Sumud Flotilla,” she said.
Aid mission
The flotilla’s mission was to deliver food, medicine and other essentials to Gaza, where nearly 70,000 Palestinians – most of them civilians – have lost their lives since the outbreak of war two years ago, alongside the destruction of entire cities and severe restrictions on aid.
A UN panel of experts last month labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.
“They have lived under genocide for two years now,” said Malaysian activist Nadir Al Nuri, who has family in Gaza. “They are still starving, they still need us and our support.”
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who greeted the delegation at the airport, defended the legality of the flotilla’s mission and dismissed criticism from detractors.
“They did not go to Israel; they wanted to go to Gaza but were surrounded by the Zionist regime’s forces and detained. So do not listen to divisive allegations,” he told reporters, also thanking the Turkish government for helping secure the Malaysians’ release.
Accounts of mistreatment began to emerge as the group transited through Istanbul. Malaysian singer Heliza Helmi, who took part in the flotilla, described being denied water and food for hours while their hands were bound behind their backs in sweltering conditions.
“The last time we drank was on October 1. After that, when we asked for water, they refused to give us any,” Heliza told Malaysian media on Monday. “In the end, we had to drink toilet water”.

Israeli authorities have denied the allegations, insisting that detainees were granted access to food, water, toilets and legal counsel.
“They were not denied access to legal counsel and all their legal rights were fully upheld,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement to Reuters.
Israel’s far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, meanwhile, accused the flotilla’s participants of being terrorists.
Yet testimonies from multiple flotilla members paint a grim picture. Heliza corroborated reports that Thunberg was dragged by her hair and forced to kiss the Israeli flag.
“It was truly horrible. They treated us like animals,” she said.


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Toilet water, snatched hijabs: Malaysian Gaza activists recount Israeli detention

Malaysians from the Global Sumud Flotilla prostrate in prayer upon arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

A Malaysian Global Sumud Flotilla activist hugs his mother after his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPA

Crew of Conscience, a Gaza-bound vessel which is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sit aboard the boat as they are intercepted by Israeli security forces on Wednesday. Photo: IHH/Reuters

Heliza Helmi (left) and Hazwani Helmi cry as they arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

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Malaysian entrepreneur and activist Rahim Azhari seen on board a vessel as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza. Photo: Instagram/rahimazhari

Ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are seen moored near a Greek island on Friday. Photo: AFP

A screengrab of a tracker on the Global Sumud Flotilla’s website showing the convoy’s progress towards Gaza as of Wednesday. Image: Global Sumud Flotilla

Malaysian entrepreneur and activist Rahim Azhari seen on board a vessel as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Photo: Instagram/rahimazhari

Greta Thunberg (right) and other crew members flash victory signs from their ship, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, on September 25. Photo: Reuters

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A screengrab from a live stream shows crew of a vessel that is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla raise their hands as they are surrounded by Israel Defence Forces on Thursday. Photo: Global Sumud Flotilla/Reuters

Screengrabs from some of the videos by detained Malaysians from the Global Sumud Flotilla. Photo: Reddit/Malaysia Community

Pro-flotilla and pro-Palestinian protesters in Italy block entrances to the port of Genoa as they take part in a rally after Israel began intercepting boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

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Malaysians who were part of a Gaza aid flotilla say they were humiliated and denied basic rights, forcing them to drink from a toilet


Malaysians who were part of a Gaza aid flotilla say they were humiliated and denied basic rights, forcing them to drink from a toilet.


Toilet water, snatched hijabs: Malaysian Gaza activists recount Israeli detention

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Malaysians who were part of a Gaza aid flotilla say they were humiliated and denied basic rights, forcing them to drink from a toilet

Malaysians who were part of a Gaza aid flotilla say they were humiliated and denied basic rights, forcing them to drink from a toilet