Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan was speaking for herself and 12 other volunteers of the Women’s Boat to Gaza (WBG), which set out from Sicily last week in a symbolic attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
“We expected this to happen. So when it happened, we did not panic.
“We were all calm, breathing properly and ready for what was to come,” she told reporters on arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
Fauziah arrived safely in Malaysia at 7.50pm, welcomed home by about 200 NGO members and media personnel.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli army intercepted the WBG, and detained three crew members and 10 activists, including Fauziah.
Aside from Fauziah, the other activists were Madelaine Anne Habib (Australia), Synne Sofie Reksten (Norway), Emma Charlota Ringqvist (Sweden), Laureate Mairead MacGuire (Ireland), Marama Davidson (New Zealand), Jeannette Escanilla (Sweden), Mary Ann Wright (USA), Samira Douaifia (Algeria), Leign Ann Naidoo (South Africa), Sandra Barrilaro (Spain), Mina Harballou (England) and Hoda Rakhme (Russia).
Despite not reaching their destination, Fauziah said the mission was still a success.
“This mission has opened the eyes of many around the world on the issue of Gaza,” she said.
She felt that citizens of Gaza feel like the world is watching and are confident that they will one day be free from Israel’s clutches.