SHAH ALAM – Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission participant Rahmat Ikhsan, better known as PU Rahmat, has called on the public to continue boycotting Israel following the Zionist regime’s brutal treatment of detainees.
The independent preacher said they endured harsh conditions while being held at Ketziot Prison in Israel.
“It was extremely bad, terrible and we must continue to boycott Israel,” he told international media during an interview in Istanbul on Saturday.
At the same time, PU Rahmat expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government for its hospitality and support upon the arrival of the GSF participants in the country.
“Thank you to Türkiye for the good accommodation and support. We Malaysians love you, continue the fight for Palestine’s freedom,” he said briefly.
PU Rahmat, who was aboard the Estrella during the GSF voyage along with 22 other Malaysian volunteers, safely arrived in Istanbul on Saturday after being released by Israeli authorities.
They flew on Turkish Airlines flight TK6921 from Ramon Airport in Eilat, Israel and landed in Istanbul at 3.40pm local time.
Last Thursday, 23 Malaysian activists participating in the GSF mission were detained by Israeli forces after their ships were intercepted in international waters off Gaza.
Those detained included singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah (Hio); Nurfarahin Romli (Farah Lee) and Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); Zizi Kirana (Huga); Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil (Alma); Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiruddin and Rusyai Ramli (Sirius).
Also detained were Razali Awang (Inana); Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin or Ardell Aryana (Mikeno); PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Asmawi Mukhtar and Norazman Ishak (Estrella); Zainal Rashid and Ustaz Muhammad Abduliah (Fair Lady) as well as Muhammad Hareez Adzrami (Harogs) Muhd Haikal Lugman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif (Free Willy).
Israel now faces international condemnation over its assault on the humanitarian mission, in which its forces intercepted more than 40 aid vessels bound for Gaza and detained over 450 people on board.
The flotilla, launched in late August, represents the latest international effort to break Israel’s blockade and deliver aid to the people of Palestine.