Wits academic, activist and educationalist, Leigh Ann Naidoo has been detained by Israeli forces en route to Gaza with the Women’s Boat to Gaza. Wits academic, activist and Olympian, Leigh Ann Naidoo had been captured and detained by the Israeli military, according to a pre-recording video message.
While travelling aboard the Women’s Boat to Gaza, Naidoo, and 12 other female representatives from all over the world, were “intercepted and kidnapped” by the Israeli Defense Force.
“If you’re seeing this video we’ve been intercepted and kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces,” said Naidoo in the pre-recorded video.
“I want to put into an appeal into all my comrades, brothers, sisters, family in South Africa to put pressure on the South African government to insist that they release me as soon as possible.”
The Women’s Boat to Gaza, an initiative by the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition(FFC) departed on a peaceful mission eight days ago, in an effort to go against the siege of the Palestinian people of the Gaza strip.
Photo: Facebook
Pre-recorded SOS video messages circulated via the FFC and Women’s Boat to Gaza pages, in which all 13 women are appealing to the people in their respective countries to put pressure on government to act towards their immediate and safe release from Israel.
The Middle East Monitor, a publication focused on Palestinian coverage, reported earlier that the boat had been approaching Gaza shores and was due to arrive later on Wednesday, but Israeli navy had sent out threats of detaining the women. It was later reported that contact had been lost with The Zaytouna-Olive.
The Middle East Monitor reported that “Israeli naval forces captured the ship”.
The Israeli military said, “The Israeli Defense Force managed to quickly seize the ship without causing any injuries among passengers,” this is according to a statement reported by the Middle East Monitor.
Link to the petition for the safe release of Leigh Ann Naidoo
WATCH: SOS Message from SA Representative Leigh Ann Naidoo
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MIDDLE EAST MONITOR: Israeli navy seizes Gaza bound aid ship, October 5 2016
MEDIA REVIEW NET: Diary of SA Olympian Leigh-Ann Naidoo on The Women’s Boat to Gaza: Day 8 , October 5 2016
