Malaysian Activist Recounts Zionist Brutality After Freedom Flotilla Detention
SEPANG, Oct 12: Prof. Emeritus Dr. Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali has described the harrowing ordeal he endured at the hands of Israeli soldiers during his recent detention by the Zionist regime, after the Freedom Flotilla Coalition x Thousand Madleens to Gaza (FFC x TMTG) humanitarian mission was intercepted in international waters.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival at KL International Airport on Sunday (Oct 12), Dr. Mohd Alauddin, who led the Malaysian delegation, said he was tied, dragged for about 200 meters, and forced to kneel for an hour by two Israeli soldiers.
“Two Israeli soldiers caught me, twisted my arms behind my back, and dragged me for about 200 metres. Then they ordered me to kneel. My arms were pulled so far back I thought they might break,” he said, describing it as “the harshest treatment” he faced apart from being confined “in a place that could only be described as a pen.”
The FFC x TMTG mission comprised about 150 activists from 25 countries, sailing on nine humanitarian vessels, including Conscience and Umm Saad. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli naval forces less than 120 nautical miles from Gaza on Wednesday (Oct 8).
Following their arrest, the activists were taken to Ashdod Port and later transferred to Ketziot Prison in Israel’s Negev Desert.
The Malaysian contingent aboard Conscience included Dr. Mohd Alauddin, Dr. Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr. Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr. Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi, Prof. Dr. Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr. Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil. Another Malaysian, Dr. Maziah Muhammad, was aboard Umm Saad.
The group departed Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight at 1.40am and landed safely in Kuala Lumpur at 4.01pm on Sunday.
Prof. Dr. Mohd Afandi Salleh, speaking on behalf of the delegation, said their participation was driven by humanitarian conviction, not heroism.
“We are not heroes. We are just ordinary activists standing against the Zionist regime’s oppression. What happened to us in international waters was a blatant violation of international law,” he said.
He added that Israel’s actions have once again exposed its disregard for human rights and global norms, reinforcing the need for continued international solidarity with Palestine.
Meanwhile, Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chairman Prof. Datuk Seri Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha said the flotilla’s mission remains a success, even without reaching Gaza.
“The moment the world paid attention to Gaza’s suffering, the mission’s goal was achieved. Israel can detain ships and imprison activists, but they cannot break the spirit of global solidarity,” he said.
He reaffirmed Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle, saying the humanitarian movement will continue “through all possible means on land, in diplomacy, and at sea.”