Malaysia Freedom Flotilla Delegates Undergo ‘Non-Violence’ Exercise

By Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohd Yusof

ISTANBUL, April 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian delegation of the “Break the Siege: Freedom Flotilla Mission to Gaza 2024” is attending a "non-violence" training today. It is one of the mandatory procedures before starting the mission.

Several delegations from other countries also participated, including Canada, Algeria, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand and Scotland.

According to the Board of Trustees of Humanitarian Care Malaysia Bhd (MyCARE), Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan, this exercise is to prepare participants to face all possibilities that may occur during the mission like threats and provocations from the Israeli military.

"This training will prepare participants by informing them on what they can do and cannot. The FFC (Freedom Flotilla Coalition) will simulate scenarios like being threatened by the Israeli army, having their ships seized, being kidnapped and arrested.

"Among the important lesson taught during the training is that we (participants) do not have to fight when arrested and to follow whatever instructions that are issued.”

Dr Fauziah said apart from these simulations, other important points were also emphasised. 

"If one is arrested, there will definitely be questions asked by the regime's soldiers and so on. For this reason, the exercise will also look into this aspect.

"In fact (based on past experiences), there were documents for detained participants to sign and these documents were in Hebrew.

"So, today's training will also focus on such situations and participants will be taught not to sign such documents.” 

The FFC previously confirmed that the three ships involved in the mission will start sailing on Wednesday (April 24) and it involves a 5,000-tonne cargo ship and two passenger ships that can accommodate more than 1,000 people.

These ships will carry urgent humanitarian aid, such as medical aid, food packs, clothing, shelter tents and several vehicles, including eight ambulances.

Nineteen Malaysians are taking part in the mission.

At a recent press conference, MyCARE chairman Dr Kamal Nasaruddin Mustapha said the 19 Malaysians consisted of doctors, humanitarian activists and media practitioners.

Among the media practitioners who are involved in the flotilla are broadcast journalist from the Malaysian National News Organisation (Bernama) Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohd Yusof and Bernama TV cameraman Mohammad Nulhakim Jailan.

Activists from 30 countries, including Malaysia, have gathered in Istanbul since April 18 to prepare for the mission.

-- BERNAMA