South Africa Recalls Envoy to Israel Over Flotilla Raid
June 03, 2010, 11:19 AM EDT
(Updates with comment from minister in fourth paragraph and Israeli Foreign Ministry comment in 10th paragraph.)
By Franz Wild
June 3 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel to protest a raid by Israeli naval forces on an aid shipment to the Gaza Strip in which nine people were killed.
“ This recent Israeli aggression of attacking the aid flotilla severely impacts on finding a lasting solution to the problems of the region,” Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said in an e-mailed statement today. South Africa’s embassy in Tel Aviv will remain open, he said.
The May 31 raid on the flotilla, which had attempted to breach an Israeli blockade of Gaza, has led to criticism of Israel and calls for it to lift restrictions on the flow of goods into the territory. The U.S. has said Israel and the Palestinians should accelerate peace talks.
“ This siege, which has brought untold hardships to the ordinary people of Gaza and made their lives nightmarish, is unconscionable and unsustainable,” Ebrahim said.
South Africa yesterday announced it would issue Israel with a “ demarche, ” its strongest form of protest, over the incident.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the blockade was “ counter-productive, unsustainable and wrong, ” and that it should end “immediately.” Israel must account for the events, he told reporters in New York. The UN Security Council has called for an investigation.
Turkey, which is home to many of the activists on the flotilla, recalled its ambassador to Israel and is considering military and economic sanctions against Israel, Hurriyet newspaper reported yesterday.
Protests
Some 3,500 protestors in Cape Town today called on the South Africa to sever ties with Israel, E-tv, which is based in the city, reported. A South African journalist who was aboard the targeted flotilla will return home tomorrow, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.
Israel was one of few countries to maintain relations with South Africa’s white minority government before 1994.
Israel said it felt “ regret and disappointment ” at South Africa’s decision. “Those who criticize Israel would be better advised to turn their criticism against the terror-supporting rioters from the flotilla, who have nothing to do with humaneness,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said in an e-mailed statement today.
Peristiwa sedih, lucu, pelik tersirat pengajaran buat aktivis kemanusiaan ke Gaza
(Catatan peristiwa sebelum dan selepas diserang komando Israel)
Empat bulan lalu, hampir setiap hari saya membaca petikan Surah Al‘Imran yang bermaksud: “Para syuhada dianggap hidup di sisi Allah dan sentiasa meminta izin daripada-Nya untuk balik ke dunia dan bertemu dengan pejuang yang masih hidup bagi mengirimkan pesanan supaya jangan takut serta sedih.”
Ketika ayat itu dibacakan setiap hari, sebenarnya saya masih menaruh harapan supaya dibenarkan menyertai misi itu dan Alhamdulillah, berkat izin-Nya, saya akhirnya mendapat kesempatan itu sebagai rombongan terakhir bersama beberapa rakan lain selepas lapan petugas sudah pun bertolak lebih awal ke Istanbul.
Pada 22 Mei, kami bersama dua wakil media Astro Awani, tiba di lapangan terbang di Istanbul dan terpaksa bergegas, berlari ke kaunter tiket untuk mendapatkan pesawat ke Antalya, sebuah pelabuhan di Selatan Turki.
Keadaan kelam-kabut itu semata-mata untuk mendapatkan pesawat domestik dan ketika itu mulut ini tidak berhenti berzikir dan berdoa supaya kami berpeluang dan dapat tiba ke destinasi tepat pada masanya kerana tidak mahu terlepas kumpulan rombongan dan akhirnya, melegakan apabila kami dapat masuk ke pesawat lima minit sebelum ia berlepas.
Dalam pesawat itu, saya duduk di sebelah jurukamera Astro Awani, Samsul Kamal Abdul Latip yang jelas kelihatan masih terpinga-pinga dan seakan belum tahu apa kemungkinan bakal dihadapi dalam misi ini sedangkan dalam pemikiran saya sudah terbayang beberapa perkara yang boleh berlaku termasuk diserang oleh tentera Israel.
Hanya doa yang mampu dipanjatkan semoga kami semua tabah menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan terutama apabila membayangkan kapal kami mungkin dibom, ditawan atau diheret sekiranya memasuki perairan Israel.
Di Antalya, kami ditempatkan di sebuah kompleks sukan selama empat hari iaitu sejak 23 hingga 27 Mei kerana terpaksa menunggu rombongan dari Eropah dan sepanjang tempoh itu, semua sukarelawan terpaksa tidur bertilamkan lantai di ruang terbuka.
Subuh pertama kami di kompleks itu, azan dilaungkan oleh sukarelawan dari Malaysia untuk mengajak semuanya bersembahyang jemaah kerana sebelumnya dilihat kebanyakan orang hanya solat sendirian dan ia juga menjadi detik pemula di mana semuanya bersatu, malah saya sendiri berkesempatan menyampaikan kuliah Subuh dalam bahasa Arab di depan semua orang.
Masih saya ingat, ketika kuliah itu, saya membacakan sepotong ayat – “Hasbunallah Wanikmal Wakil” yang bermaksud memadailah Allah sebagai wakil kami. Ayat itu juga yang dilihat sentiasa disebut di mulut, menjadi zikir ramai orang termasuk mereka dari negara lain sepanjang memijakkan kami di kapal Mavi Marmara.
Masih jelas terbayang di mata saya, begitu ramai masyarakat dari serata dunia termasuk Eropah yang datang sendiri ke kompleks sukan itu dan merayu mahu turut serta dalam rombongan itu tetapi khabarnya hanya sebahagian dibenarkan.
Sebenarnya, banyak kisah menarik untuk dikongsi bersama sepanjang kami di kompleks sukan itu termasuk jeritan seorang warga tua dari Turki ketika dikatakan rombongan itu bakal ditangguh lagi – “ Tiga tahun pun akan kami tunggu! ”
Di kompleks sukan itu, sempat juga saya berbual dengan anak, Syaima Amatullah, menerusi laman facebook dan dia ada bertanya – “ Abah takut tak ? ” dan jawab saya ketika itu – “Bukankah abah selalu baca ayat dari Surah Al-Imran.” Kenyataan saya itu dipanjangkan anak saya kepada hampir semua rakannya dalam laman web itu.
Tanggal 27 Mei, bermulalah perjalanan jihad kami apabila dibawa menaiki bas yang diiring polis serta disambut meriah oleh ribuan penduduk bandar Antalya dengan memenuhi tepi jalan, melambai serta mengibarkan bendera Turki dan Palestin, selain sebahagiannya membunyikan hon, riuh rendah sama seperti suasana ketika majlis perkahwinan di negara itu.
Terpegun seketika apabila tiba di kapal Mavi Marmara kerana berbeza sekali dengan gambar yang saya lihat. Tak sangka rupa-rupanya kapal setinggi empat setengah tingkat itu begitu besar. Pemeriksaan kastam untuk masuk ke kapal begitu ketat sehinggakan kabel pengecas telefon bimbit tiga pin turut dirampas kerana dilihat berbeza dengan kabel dari negara lain yang hanya ada dua pin.
Masuk saja dalam kapal, saya bersama beberapa rakan lain membuat sujud syukur. Sebahagian yang lain kelihatan masih terpaku kerana seakan tidak percaya akhirnya dapat memijakkan kaki di kapal itu. Ketika itu, ada seorang ahli tarikat berusia 84 tahun berkata - “ Aku ke sini untuk turut serta dalam perjuangan Palestin. Apa guna sekadar berzikir jika tidak berjuang bersama. ”
Kami diberi makan ala kadar. Sebenarnya jika tak diberi makan pun tak apa sebab tak langsung rasa lapar. Kami makan sekadar untuk mengelakkan lemah dan tidur pun sekadar untuk memastikan badan bertenaga.
Perjalanan kami terhenti di Cyprus pada 28 hingga 30 Mei kerana menunggu kapal lain untuk menyertai konvoi. Sepanjang tiga hari itu, pelbagai aktiviti dijalankan termasuk ceramah oleh ulama di dalam kapal. Apabila kapal bergerak kembali, satu amaran sudah diberi pada malam 30 Mei kerana mereka nampak ada lampu berkelip di udara yang disyaki helikopter.
Kami juga nampak seakan ada lampu kapal lain bagaikan cuba menghampiri. Ketika itu kami diminta berkumpul dalam kumpulan 15 orang dan dibekalkan jaket keselamatan serta satu topeng gas untuk dikongsi sesama ahli kumpulan.
Jam 1 pagi, keadaan kembali tenang kerana tiada lagi tanda kapal berhampiran, namun kami diminta tidur di luar untuk bersedia terhadap sebarang kemungkinan. Jam 3 pagi, kami dikejutkan dengan sorakan takbir lantaran kumpulan di belakang kapal melihat ada sekumpulan ikan lumba-lumba mengiringi kapal.
Episod serangan bermula sejurus selepas solat Subuh yang ketika itu dirasakan Subuh terakhir kami. Kelihatan beberapa bot menghampiri kami dan helikopter yang berlegar melemparkan bom asap pemedih mata, namun peliknya ia langsung tidak menjejaskan kami kerana tiap kali bom dilempar, ketika itu juga angin akan bertiup kencang menolak asap.
Meskipun keadaan huru-hara dan seakan tidak terkawal, kebanyakan kami tidak terasa gentar. Saya sendiri ditembak di bahu kanan dengan peluru getah tetapi sakitnya hanya sekejap. Malah, ketika ditawan, beberapa kali saya dipijak dan ditendang oleh komando Israel dengan kuat, namun tak pula terasa sakit atau ada kesan lebam.
Selepas ditawan dan diikat dengan tali kabel selama lebih 15 jam, ada di kalangan kami yang berpuasa, namun tidak pula terasa lapar atau lemah. Ketika itu kami hanya ingat Allah. Kekejaman komando Israel bukan sekadar tak beri makan minum, malah tak juga benarkan ke tandas sehingga ada yang terkencing dalam seluar.
Air pun hanya diberi sebotol untuk dikongsi beramai-ramai. Itupun dalam keadaan tangan diikat. Bayangkan betapa kuatnya talian persaudaraan di kalangan kami, meskipun ada yang berlainan agama apabila sesama kami menuang air ke mulut rakan yang lain bersilih ganti.
Di Ashdod, pelabuhan di Israel, kami tidak lagi menerima layanan seburuk di kapal kerana ketika itu kami diuruskan oleh pegawai dari Kementerian Dalam Negeri Israel yang nyata terpaksa melayan dengan baik lantaran sudah menerima tekanan dari kedutaan lain.
Dibawa ke penjara yang masih baru, kami ditempatkan dalam sel besar dengan empat orang sebilik. Ketika itu, sesuatu yang sangat melegakan apabila kami dapat mandi dan membersihkan diri. Tidak berapa lama ditahan kerana akhirnya kami dibebaskan selepas dikunjungi wakil kedutaan Jordan yang memang ditugaskan untuk membebaskan sukarelawan Malaysia dan Indonesia.
Teringat lagi bagaimana berani sekali seorang Ahli Parlimen Kuwait ketika menaiki bas untuk ke Jordan. Sempat dia turun semula ke tangga dan menjerit minta dia dibawa kembali ke sel dengan alasan tidak mahu dibebaskan. Jelas sekali dia seakan mencabar pegawai Israel.
Lucu pula melihat akhirnya pegawai Israel itu pula yang merayu meminta dia naik semula ke dalam bas. Itu semua akibat tekanan kuat yang diberikan kedutaan negara lain yang begitu ramai berkumpul di situ.
Masih sebak di hati ini apabila mengenangkan rakan dari Turki yang tak dibebaskan ketika kami sudah menaiki bas kerana kedutaan mereka belum tiba. Salah seorang warga Turki ada memanggil saya, memeluk dan menangis sambil menawarkan duit poket kerana beranggapan semua barang termasuk dompet saya sudah dirampas.
Sejak dibebaskan pada jam 4.30 petang, Subuh keesokan harinya baru kami sampai di sempadan Israel – Jordan, dan sesuatu yang sangat mengujakan apabila terpandang bendera Malaysia dikibarkan. Ketika itu terasa betapa pemimpin negara kita begitu mengambil berat, malah ketika kami menghubungi Perdana Menteri yang berada di Laos pada jam 2 pagi, beliau masih berdaya menjawab telefon dan menitip pesan kepada kami.
Orang pertama yang saya hubungi sejurus tiba di Jordan dan diberi hadiah sebuah telefon bimbit jenama Nokia dengan kredit panggilan sebanyak sembilan dinar ialah isteri yang kedengaran masih tenang meskipun dalam beberapa laman web sudah beranggapan saya sudah tiada.
Banyak sebenarnya pengajaran yang diperoleh daripada semua kejadian ini di mana ia pasti menguatkan iman kami selain sedar kita hanya insan kerdil yang sudah diaturkan Allah nasibnya serta bersatu seluruh bangsa dunia untuk menentang kekejaman Israel.
(Penulis, bekas Pensyarah UTM yang juga Pengerusi Aqsa Syarif adalah antara 10 sukarelawan Malaysia dalam misi keamanan bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza melalui kapal yang diserang Israel baru-baru ini).
ALLAH itu Maha Berkuasa. Kunfayakun, jika dikata jadi, pasti akan berlaku. Kuasa Allah juga jelas ditunjukkan ketika kejadian serangan komando Israel ke atas kapal Mavi Marmara Ahad lalu yang disaksikan bukan seorang malah hampir kebanyakan sukarelawan Malaysia yang turut serta dalam misi bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza itu.
Timbalan Presiden Yayasan Amal, Jamuliddin Ilias cukup terpegun apabila melihat sekumpulan ikan lumba-lumba berenang laju mengiringi kapal itu sejam sebelum serangan dimulakan seakan memberi tanda sesuatu yang buruk sedang hampir di belakang mereka.
“ Sepanjang perjalanan, ada juga kami memancing, tetapi jangankan dapat ikan, bayangnya juga tiada, tetapi entah dari mana datangnya, tiba-tiba sekumpulan ikan lumba-lumba ada di belakang kapal mengiringi kami. Ia bagai satu tanda.
“ Banyak sebenarnya kejadian pelik yang dapat dilihat sepanjang insiden itu. Antaranya, angin kuat yang muncul tiba-tiba setiap kali komando Israel membaling bom asap pemedih mata. Banyak yang mereka lontar tetapi satu pun tak jejaskan kami. Tak ada seorangpun cedera atau pedih mata.
“ Tiap kali bom itu meletup, ada angin kuat menolak asap ke arah lain. Beberapa orang di kalangan kami pula boleh dengan selamba mengutip bom kosong itu umpama mengutip bertih jagung dan membuangnya ke laut. Tak langsung terasa gentar, ” katanya.
Menurut Pengerusi Aqsa Syarif, Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, pula ia disifatkan sebagai bantuan Allah yang mengirimkan tenteranya untuk menghulurkan bantuan. Malah, kejadian ikan lumba-lumba itu juga membuktikan kekuasaan Allah.
Jamuliddin menyambung ceritanya dengan berkongsi satu senario pelik dan lucu di mana ramai tentera Israel yang lari dan tak berani menghampiri beberapa sukarelawan yang hanya mempertahankan diri menggunakan botol air mineral.
“ Bukannya berbahaya pun. Sekadar baling botol mineral ke bot mereka. Kelam kabut mereka lari. Apabila mereka berpatah balik, kami mengacah dengan tangan kosong, itupun mereka cuba mengelak.
“ Paling tidak boleh dilupakan, ketika kami semua sudah ditawan, ada beberapa rakan lain yang cedera parah diangkut dengan pengusung ke helikopter dan melalui kami. Terharu rasanya kerana meskipun kecederaan mereka sangat parah, tiada langsung tanda kesakitan di wajah mereka.
“ Malah mereka masih tersenyum dan melambai gembira ke arah kami. Salah seorang daripadanya dikhabarkan sudah meninggal dunia,” katanya.
Doktor perubatan dari Haluan Malaysia, Dr Arba’ai Shawal, pula masih jelas terbayang bau wangi umpama kasturi yang dihidu dari tiga jenazah sukarelawan Turki sebelum beliau melangkah keluar dari Mavi Marmara.
“ Saya pernah ke gua di mana menjadi tempat nabi disembunyikan ketika perang Uhud yang baunya masih kuat sehingga kini. Bau tiga jenazah itu memang sama dengan bau itu. Sebak di hati saya kerana wajah mereka juga tidak seperti baru menempuh kesakitan. Nampak seakan tersenyum, ” katanya.
Burung layang-layang di tengah laut dan hinggap di atas kapal pastinya pelik. Ini kerana burung itu selalunya terbang berkawan dan tidak ada di tengah laut. Namun, ia disaksikan sukarelawan Malaysia dari Muslim Care Malaysia, Halim Muhamad Redzuan beberapa jam sebelum serangan udara dilancarkan tentera Israel.
“Ia mungkin nampak seperti tidak ada apa-apa petanda tetapi bagi saya ia cukup pelik dan luar biasa. Apatah lagi, ia muncul beberapa ketika sebelum serangan udara dilancarkan,” katanya.
Mustapa Mansor dari Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia pula menyifatkan tidak ada apa yang lebih menyentuh perasaannya dan di luar kebiasaan apabila melihat beberapa Ahli Parlimen dari pelbagai negara sanggup tidur di lantai bersama sukarelawan lain sebagai tanda bersatu berjihad untuk penduduk Palestin
Sweden ports to block Israel ships, goods in response to Gaza flotilla takeover
Week-long ban is initiated by Swedish Port Workers Union, who says act is reaction to the ' unprecedented criminal attack on the peaceful ship convoy.
'
By The Associated Press and DPA
Swedish dockworkers will launch a weeklong blockade of Israeli ships and goods arriving in the Nordic nation to protest Monday's attack on a Gaza-destined aid flotilla.
Nine activists died after Israeli troops intercepted the convoy.
Swedish Port Workers Union spokesman Peter Annerback says workers will refuse to handle Israeli goods and ships during the June 15-24 blockade. The union has some 1,500 members and supports Ship to Gaza, which took part in the flotilla.
It says the reason for the blockade is "the unprecedented criminal attack on the peaceful ship convoy. "
It was unclear Saturday how much the blockade would affect trade between the two countries since the union still needs to identify cargos with Israeli origin.
Earlier Saturday, thousands of Australian demonstrators flocked to Sydney's Town Hall Saturday to protest Israel's lethal raid on a flotilla headed for Gaza last week.
An Israeli flag was burnt as demonstrators mostly from Sydney's large Turkish and Lebanese communities railed against the Jewish state.
Huseyin Erbis, 28, told Australia's AAP news agency that Israel deserved international censure for the blockade of Gaza and its effect on Palestinians.
" They criticize the Muslims but really our prophet was always kind to the Jewish people, " he said.
The Sydney protest was replicated in cities around Australia.
Anti-U.S., Israel demonstrations had also taken palce in several New Zealand cities, as Pro-Palestinian protestors set fire to flags of
Israel and the United States.
The throwing of shoes has become a symbol of opposition to US and Israeli policy in the Middle East, following the example of an Iraqi journalist who threw one at then-president George W Bush during a press conference in December 2008.
" The sole of the shoe is dirty and holding it up that to a person or a place is an insult, " John Minto, protest leader of the Global Peace and Justice organisation, told reporters.
He said it was the Middle East equivalent of the biggest traditional insult of New Zealand's indigenous Maoris - baring the buttocks
Up to 300 protestors marched through Auckland urging the government to expel Israel's ambassador in protest at last week's action by Israeli forces against a peace flotilla en route to Gaza.
Similar demonstrations were reported in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Gaza tensions force spectator ban at Israel-Sweden tennis match
Anti-Israel demonstrations expected in Swedish city of Malmo as Israel, Sweden face off in Davis Cup.
By The Associated Press
A Davis Cup tennis match between Sweden and Israel will go ahead without spectators after an attempt to move the venue to Stockholm fell through, organizers said Tuesday.
They cited security concerns for the closed-door policy in the city of Malmo because anti-Israeli demonstrations are expected during the best-of-five series on March 6-8. But the volley of words between the two Swedish cities, which comes after the United Arab Emirates stopped an Israeli player attending a tennis tournament in Dubai, has an unmistakable political dimension.
Malmo, Sweden's third largest city, has a left-leaning local government and a large Muslim minority. Its leaders have strongly criticized Israel over the Gaza invasion, and some have called for the Davis Cup match to be dropped altogether.
Stockholm, on the other hand, has a center-right majority that is more pro-Israeli. The Swedish capital on Monday offered to step in as an alternative venue, saying it was better prepared to guarantee security for the match.
The idea was dropped, however, when Stockholm officials realized they wouldn't be able to get organized in time for the Israeli team's Sunday arrival, said Madeleine Sjostedt, Stockholm's vice mayor in charge of culture and sports.
" I'm very disappointed. We worked intensely with this for a few days but had to give up, " she said, adding that Malmo's decision was political.
Malmo Mayor Ilmar Reepalu insisted the decision to bar spectators was solely based on security concerns. He noted that pro-Palestinian groups had disrupted a recent pro-Israel demonstration by throwing bottles, eggs and fireworks.
" It shows the tensions that exist after the conflict in Gaza, " Reepalu, of the left-leaning Social Democrats, told The Associated Press by telephone.
The Davis Cup match isn't the first sports event marred by political protests against Israel.
Israeli player Shahar Peer was denied a visa last week to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships, prompting the WTA to fine organizers a record $300,000. At the time, organizers said they feared fan anger over Israel's recent military offensive in Gaza would spill into riots if Peer were to play.
The United Arab Emirates later granted a permit to Israeli player Andy Ram to compete in this week's men's tournament.
In January, an Israeli basketball team fled to the changing room as hundreds of fist-pounding Turkish fans protested the violence in Gaza. A pro-Islamic group earlier set an Israeli flag on fire outside the arena.
The Israeli Tennis Federation lamented that the Malmo match would be played behind closed doors.
" It's terrible that they are trying to mix politics with sports, especially in an enlightened country like Sweden, " federation chairman Michael Klein said last week.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said it was up to local authorities to decide on the security arrangements for the match.
" If local authorities decide to prevent spectators from attending, what can I say? " Palmor said. " We leave it to local security authorities to do what they think is best. "
This will be the second time a Davis Cup match will be played in an empty arena in Sweden. In 1975, two years after a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet against the elected Chilean government of Salvador Allende, Sweden played Chile in Bastad and no spectators were allowed.
Ketua misi Life Line For Gaza (LL4G) Noorazman Mohd Samsuddin berkata penggunaan peluru getah adalah sebagai alasan semata-mata kerana terdapat bukti pihak Israel memang berniat membunuh pihak tertentu yang ada di atas Mavi Marmara.
Noorazman dan sebelas lagi sukarelawan Malaysia berada dalam kapal Mavi Marmara yang membawa bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza ketika diserang tentera Israel Isnin lepas.
Katanya, beliau dan tiga rakan aktivis - Abdul Halim Mohd Redzuan, Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus dan Jamuliddin Elias - turut ditembak dengan peluru getah dan mengenai masing-masing di bahagian kepala, belakang dan paha.
" Saya ada bukti yang mereka mempunyai niat untuk membunuh. Menggunakan peluru getah hanya sebagai alasan sahaja, " katanya dalam sidang akhbar di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur sejurus tiba di tanah air awal pagi ini.
" Mereka mempunyai senarai nama yang mereka mahu bunuh sebelum naik ke kapal.
" Kami telah menahan tiga anggota tentera dan apabila kami melakukan pemeriksaan, kami temui senarai nama berserta gambar orang yang mereka mahu bunuh.
" Sesetengah daripada mereka ialah tokoh Turki dan antarabangsa... tokoh-tokoh penting dunia. Kami tidak termasuk dalam senarai sebab itu kami tidak ditembak. Kami hanya orang biasa. Salah seorang media Turki yang ditembak memang ada di dalam senarai itu, " katanya.
Beliau berkata ketika serangan pada waktu Subuh itu, wakil media telah menunjukkan keberanian dengan terus merakamkan kejadian itu tanpa menghiraukan keselamatan mereka walupun ketika itu dihujani peluru.
" Ketika kami diserang selepas waktu solat Subuh, rakan media telah menunjuk keberanian dan kekuatan mereka tanpa menghiraukan perkara membahayakan mereka dengan peluru ketika itu seperti hujan.
" Mereka cuba merakam sebanyak mungkin untuk tujuan memberikan kesedaran dan maklumat kepada seluruh dunia."
Malah katanya seorang wartawan Indonesia yang dikenali sebagai Suria telah ditembak peluru hidup di dada kanannya.
Namun dalam keadaan kritikal itu beliau masih cuba mendapatkan maklumat-maklumat yang ada walaupun selepas itu maklumat itu telah dirampas.
Noorazaman amat mengharapkan bantuan media untuk menekan Israel bagi menyerahkan bantuan kemanusiaan itu kepada penduduk Gaza melalui Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB).
" Kita harapkan rakan media yang ada dapat terus membantu usaha kita untuk membebaskan penderitaan yang dialami rakyat Palestin ini. "
Sementara itu, Noorazman berkata mereka juga tidak menyangka dapat keluar dari Israel seawal ini.
" Kami rasa kami akan duduk di sana dalam sebulan, dua bulan atau mungkin setahun dua tahun lagi.
" Apatah lagi kami telah diputuskan hubungan (dengan dunia) luar dengan tidak dibenarkan menghubungi sesiapa. Kami hanya melihat kedutaan-kedutaan negara lain masuk ke dalam penjara.
" Kami tahu Kedutaan Malaysia tidak akan masuk kerana tidak ada hubungan diplomatik (dengan Israel)," kata ketua misi Life Line For Gaza (LL4G) Noorazman Mohd Samsuddin.
Kesemua 12 sukarelawan Malaysia yang selama pulang itu memanjatkan syukur kepada Tuhan dan berterima kasih kepada Kerajaan Malaysia dan Kerajaan Jordan yang berusaha membawa mereka keluar dari Israel secepat mungkin.
" Saya bagi pihak rakan-rakan juga mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Wisma Putra dan Kedutaan Malaysia di Jordan. Kami tidak sangka dapat keluar awal.
" Hero sebenarnya bukan kami. Wira yang sebenar adalah mereka yang berdoa, bersolat hajat dan berusaha untuk keluarkan kami. Kamulah sebenarnya wira-wira itu," kata ketua biro Palestin Haluan Malaysia itu.
“ All I saw in Israel was cowards with guns. ” These are the words of Ken O’Keefe, a former US Marine who was just deported from Israel after surviving the Mavi Marmara massacre.
In 2002, O’Keefe initiated what some would regard as a quixotic endeavor: an effort to prevent the war in Iraq by positioning Western volunteers as human shields at strategic sites in Iraq. The Truth Justice Peace action failed, but O’Keefe’s passion to follow the dictates of his own conscience has continued unabated.
This is part of a statement O’Keefe made upon arriving in Istanbul on Friday after his expulsion from Israel :
I remember being asked during the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq if I was a pacifist, I responded with a quote from Gandhi by saying I am not a passive anything. To the contrary I believe in action, and I also believe in self-defence, 100%, without reservation. I would be incapable of standing by while a tyrant murders my family, and the attack on the Mavi Marmara was like an attack on my Palestinian family. I am proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with those who refused to let a rogue Israeli military exert their will without a fight. And yes, we fought.
When I was asked, in the event of an Israeli attack on the Mavi Mamara, would I use the camera, or would I defend the ship? I enthusiastically committed to defence of the ship. Although I am also a huge supporter of non-violence, in fact I believe non-violence must always be the first option. Nonetheless I joined the defence of the Mavi Mamara understanding that violence could be used against us and that we may very well be compelled to use violence in self-defence.
I said this straight to Israeli agents, probably of Mossad or Shin Bet, and I say it again now, on the morning of the attack I was directly involved in the disarming of two Israeli Commandos. This was a forcible, non-negotiable, separation of weapons from commandos who had already murdered two brothers that I had seen that day. One brother with a bullet entering dead center in his forehead, in what appeared to be an execution. I knew the commandos were murdering when I removed a 9mm pistol from one of them. I had that gun in my hands and as an ex-US Marine with training in the use of guns it was completely within my power to use that gun on the commando who may have been the murderer of one of my brothers. But that is not what I, nor any other defender of the ship did. I took that weapon away, removed the bullets, proper lead bullets, separated them from the weapon and hid the gun. I did this in the hopes that we would repel the attack and submit this weapon as evidence in a criminal trial against Israeli authorities for mass murder.
I also helped to physically separate one commando from his assault rifle, which another brother apparently threw into the sea. I and hundreds of others know the truth that makes a mockery of the brave and moral Israeli military. We had in our full possession, three completely disarmed and helpless commandos. These boys were at our mercy, they were out of reach of their fellow murderers, inside the ship and surrounded by 100 or more men. I looked into the eyes of all three of these boys and I can tell you they had the fear of God in them. They looked at us as if we were them, and I have no doubt they did not believe there was any way they would survive that day. They looked like frightened children in the face of an abusive father.
But they did not face an enemy as ruthless as they. Instead the woman provided basic first aid, and ultimately they were released, battered and bruised for sure, but alive. Able to live another day. Able to feel the sun over head and the embrace of loved ones. Unlike those they murdered. Despite mourning the loss of our brothers, feeling rage towards these boys, we let them go. The Israeli prostitutes of propaganda can spew all of their disgusting bile all they wish, the commandos are the murders, we are the defenders, and yet we fought. We fought not just for our lives, not just for our cargo, not just for the people of Palestine, we fought in the name of justice and humanity. We were right to do so, in every way.
While in Israeli custody I, along with everyone else was subjected to endless abuse and flagrant acts of disrespect. Women and elderly were physically and mentally assaulted. Access to food and water and toilets was denied. Dogs were used against us, we ourselves were treated like dogs. We were exposed to direct sun in stress positions while hand cuffed to the point of losing circulation of blood in our hands. We were lied to incessantly, in fact I am awed at the routineness and comfort in their ability to lie, it is remarkable really. We were abused in just about every way imaginable and I myself was beaten and choked to the point of blacking out… and I was beaten again while in my cell.
In all this what I saw more than anything else were cowards… and yet I also see my brothers. Because no matter how vile and wrong the Israeli agents and government are, they are still my brothers and sisters and for now I only have pity for them. Because they are relinquishing the most precious thing a human being has, their humanity.
In conclusion; I would like to challenge every endorser of Gandhi, every person who thinks they understand him, who acknowledges him as one of the great souls of our time (which is just about every western leader), I challenge you in the form of a question. Please explain how we, the defenders of the Mavi Marmara, are not the modern example of Gandhi’s essence? But first read the words of Gandhi himself.
“ I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence…. I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should, in a cowardly manner, become or remain a helpless witness to her own dishonour. ” – Gandhi
And lastly I have one more challenge. I challenge any critic of merit, publicly, to debate me on a large stage over our actions that day. I would especially love to debate with any Israeli leader who accuses us of wrongdoing, it would be my tremendous pleasure to face off with you. All I saw in Israel was cowards with guns, so I am ripe to see you in a new context. I want to debate with you on the largest stage possible. Take that as an open challenge and let us see just how brave Israeli leaders are.
I doubt that there is a single Israeli official who would have the guts to take up O’Keefe’s challenge. Instead, the IDF has issued a laughable claim :
Ken O’Keefe (Born 1969), an American and British citizen, is a radical anti-Israel activist and operative of the Hamas Terror organization. He attempted to enter the Gaza Strip in order to form and train a commando unit for the Palestinian terror organization.
The IDF spelled his name correctly and the year he was born — thereafter, the errors and deceptions follow. O’Keefe renounced his US citizenship in March 2001. He is now an Irish and Palestinian citizen, though describes himself as “ in truth a world citizen. ”
If the IDF had a shred of evidence that O’Keefe was heading to Gaza to train a commando unit for Hamas, I guarantee he would not now be in Istanbul. He would be in an Israeli jail awaiting trial. (In an interview with Al Jazeera appearing below, he does indeed dismiss Israel’s claims.)
But when O’Keefe says that all he saw in Israel was “cowards with guns” he points to a fundamental truth that reveals the character of the Jewish state.
As a nation that revels in its willingness to crush its opponents, Israel operates with the mindset of every bully: it only feels convinced of its strength when facing a weak opponent.
Lacking the courage to hold its own among equals, Israel operates in a world defined by dominance and oppression.
Mavi Marmara : former US marine and crying Israeli commando
An interesting example has been published in Hurriyet. Ken O'Keefe, an Irish citizen, a former U.S. marine in the Gulf War, which recounts the struggle against the Israeli military on the deck of Mavi Marmara and then the mistreatment. He was well beaten on two occasions during his detention pending his deportation to Ankara.
He said they fought but "to defend our lives and freedom," but mainly to disarm the Israeli soldiers who had arrived by helicopter and stepped on the upper deck. He also acknowledges he snatched from the commandos the 9mm pistol they carried. But not to use it. " I took the gun intentionally, and I disarmed it. We have not used these weapons against Israeli commandos. (...) We have fought to defend our lives. " In a staircase, he neutralizes - with the help of other activists - three men of the commandos. " They lowered their arms in despair. (...) I saw the fear in their eyes. I looked into the eyes of three children as an angry father. They thought we were going to kill them. We released them. They were amazed "
Post time 4-6-2010 03:11 PM
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