‘Stepping onto the boat,I was aware that interception was a possibility,’ says Hasnain
Looking at my friend beside me,I could see the pain etched across his face. He had just been hit by one of the rubber bullets sprayed in our direction by Israeli forces.
It certainly wasn’t going to be the last moment of violence inflicted on us after we were taken from our boat,held hostage and tortured – but even then I knew that no matter what we were going through it wasn’t a fraction of the trauma people in Palestine are going through.
I have always been involved with activism,but I had never planned to be part of the Global Sumud Flotilla,a convoy of vessels crossing the Mediterranean to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.
As a student at King’s College London,I’d followed their missions via the news and when a few of my friends had been involved in one last year,I decided to join their land crew team. After that,getting on a boat seemed the next inevitable step.
Our mission began when I flew out to Greece at the end of April and I underwent maritime training alongside other activists who came from all walks of life. We were taught how to care for one another and how to be safe in case of any accident.
After joining the flotilla land crew,going to sea seemed an inevitable step for Hasnain (Picture: Supplied)
The flotilla set sail on May 14 from Turkey (Picture: Supplied)However,the chances were low,considering all the vessels that we had – almost 50,with approximately 400 activists and civilians inside.It was on our fourth day at sea that I remember squinting my eyes and spotting a ship in the distance. At first,I was unsure whether it was an oil rig,a container ship or a livestock boat,but within minutes,as another came into view,it was clear they were Israeli military vessels moving toward us. Seconds later,speedboats were launched and quickly surrounded the flotilla. The forces yelled: ‘we will shoot if you do not comply with our instructions’.It was all documented in a video which was released by Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the world to see,showing all the flotilla attendees with their hands tied and their heads down. I’m actually in that video. Right after it shows an activist being dragged down,there’s someone with their hand down. That’s me. After four days in the prison,we were forced to sign papers to be deported to Turkey. When I arrived back in the UK,I realised how blessed I was to have such a strong support system.But at the same time it feels like a double-edged sword,as I know that the people I was trying to help have no support system,no alternative.
Hasnain says he doesn’t regret being part of the flotilla (Picture: Supplied)Despite everything,some of our aims were met. While not all the aid reached the shore of Gaza,some of the boats had wrapped items which were actually let into the sea a couple of days after we were deported,which did eventually reach them. So,do I think we were successful? Absolutely. Not only were the people of Gaza able to get something,but the like-mindedness of that beautiful space while we were in the flotilla reminded me of the beauty in trusting others to commit to a cause. I know some people must wonder if I regret it – but I don’t. All of us in this mission gave our humanitarian aims a shot,and I will always be grateful for that perseverance and sense of community that I will never find anywhere else. Metro has been unable to verify Hasnain’s allegations and is yet to hear back from the IDF after reaching out for comment.In a statement to the BBC,Israel’s prison service said: ‘All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law,with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff.‘Medical care is provided according to professional medical judgment,and in accordance with ministry of health guidelines.‘The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: ‘IDF orders require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels,and there are clear and established procedures in this regard.‘No specific incidents of deviation from these binding procedures are known within the IDF. Any concrete complaints submitted to the IDF on the matter will be examined thoroughly.‘As told to Bella Steiner.
