SA activist on Global Sumud Flotilla details Israel detention

A South African activist who was detained by Israeli forces while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla has detailed physical abuse, psychological warfare and deprivation of basic needs that she and others were subjected to.

Humanitarian leader and activist Professor Zaheera Soomar, who was in detention for six days, says there were several moments during her time at sea and in jail where she thought she may be brutalized or killed.

Professor Soomar was on the Flotilla for 18 days and in jail for six and says it was the solidarity among those on the mission that actually got her through the journey.

“So, there was a mix of kind of them using very just aggressive force with you, the way they handled you. You know, they pushed you, they pulled you, they tied your arms. They blindfolded you. They pressed my neck many times. They forced you to bend down. There was an element of just very aggressive behavior in one way. Then there was an element of, you know, psychological warfare. So, they would stick guns in your face and they would aim, they would aim lasers at you and they would taunt you with armed guards and with dogs and they would just they would try and break you from a mental perspective.”