Israel: Occupation, Piracy and More
The captain, Habib, replied: “This is the Zaytouna, Women’s Boat to Gaza. We are in international waters and heading to Gaza on a mission to bring hope to the people of the Strip. We will continue with our course.” An Israeli Zodiac boat with 25 soldiers on board came alongside the Zaytouna and ordered us to slow to 4 knots. They searched the boat and confiscated all of our passports along with other possessions. They demanded that our crew stop filming. Wright and Mairead Maguire, a Nobel Peace Laureate from Northern Ireland, recommended that we not be provoked by the Israeli soldiers’ actions, and above all that we not sign anything which might give legitimacy to their actions. I had been doing daily reports documenting our voyage since it started, but as our boat was towed to Ashdod, I realised my mission had ended.
When we reached Ashdod port, a female Israeli soldier told me in a local Arabic accent: “Great coverage Mina; you have kept us amused throughout the journey.” I wasn’t surprised as I knew the Israeli forces had been following us minute by minute. We were offered food and medical examinations, but we all refused. Then we were interrogated and asked to sign a document saying we had entered Israel illegally. Suddenly, another officer in uniform entered and ordered our release. A van was waiting for me outside to take me to the airport, but when I did not find my camera woman, Huda, I refused to get in. The driver warned me I would be shot if I did not obey the order, but I insisted. Then, Huda showed up without her camera. Again, I refused to get in without our equipment. The driver warned me once again. Finally, we were given the camera without the footage we had filmed documenting the voyage and the Israeli act of piracy.
We returned home, unable to grasp what had happened but still feeling the positive aura that had surrounded us since we set foot on the boat. Was our mission accomplished? The answer came from the Palestinians who waited for us with flowers at Heathrow Airport in London. I may not have been professionally satisfied, but Al Jazeera and its crews had proven once again that they tell the human story.
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