‘I was prepared for death’
Fauziah: We knew risks in challenging Israel’s military blockade
SEPANG: Despite being surrounded by three Israeli navy vessels before she could reach Gaza, Dr Fauziah Hasan said she was not scared.
She was onboard the ZaytounaOliva that was carrying 12 other women who sailed to Gaza from Barcelona on Sept 27 to challenge Israel’s military blockade.
“We were not scared because we received training on possible scenarios and we knew that we had a high chance of being detained by the Israeli navy,” said Dr Fauziah when met after arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport following her detention by Israeli authorities for 22 hours.
She said she did not feel that her life was in danger.
“When I accepted the nomination (to go), I knew that death was the worst that could happen. I was prepared for that,” she said.
Although the pro-Palestinian group, called Women’s Boat To Gaza (WBG), and the two journalists with them did not reach their destination, Dr Fauziah said the mission achieved its purpose.
“It opened the eyes of many around the world on what is happening in Gaza and what issues they are facing.
“Through all this awareness worldwide, this mission also brought hope and encouragement to the people in Gaza, that one day they may get their freedom,” she said.
She intends to continue advocating for Gaza’s freedom from Israel and will meet with the other WBG women in Stockholm in May to discuss future plans.
After being released by Israel, Dr Fauziah left Tel Aviv at 3.30am yesterday (Malaysian time) and landed in Bangkok at 2.55pm.
Her husband Prof Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali rushed to meet up with her in Bangkok and they came back to Malaysia together.
The obstetrics and gynaecology specialist has three children and six grandchildren, and she is a member of the Board of Trustees of Humanitarian Care Malaysia.
The Israeli navy on Oct 5 intercepted the Zaytouna-Oliva and detained the women for trying to breach its blockade of Gaza.
Two of them, Al Jazeera journalist Mina Harballou and photographer Hoda Rakhme, were deported immediately. The remaining women, including Dr Fauziah, were deported on Thursday.
Also with them was 1976 Nobel peace laureate Mairead MacGuire from northern Ireland and US Army Col (rtd) Mary Ann Wright.