Toilet water, snatched hijabs: Malaysian Gaza activists recount Israeli detention

Malaysians who joined a multinational flotilla seeking to break Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza have returned home with disturbing allegations of mistreatment in Israeli custody, including the confiscation of hijabs and being forced to drink toilet water.

The group of 34 Malaysians, ranging from musicians and actors to rappers and influencers, had joined hundreds of international activists in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail this summer on a humanitarian mission to the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The flotilla, composed of more than 40 vessels and carrying 500 activists from 44 countries, was intercepted by Israeli forces on October 3 in international waters, some 50 nautical miles (93km) from Gaza’s devastated coastline.

Among those detained and deported by Israeli authorities was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose participation drew international media attention.

The Malaysian contingent spent two days in custody, much to the outrage of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, before being handed over to Turkish officials for repatriation.