Palestinian NGO Condemns Israeli Action On Zaytouna-Oliva

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM), a non-governmental organisation here, condemned the interception of female activists boat by the Israeli navy, describing it as an act of piracy in international waters. PCOM in a statement Thursday expressed its deep concern about the fate of 13 female activists, including the only Malaysian, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, who were travelling aboard the Zaytouna-Oliva sailboat towards Gaza. All 10 activists and three crew members, who were on a humanitarian mission dubbed Women's Boat to Gaza (WBG), were detained at 2.58 pm local time (9.58 pm Malaysian time) at Ashdod Port, Israel. "We hold Israel responsible to assure the safety of these activists," said the NGO. PCOM said although Dr Fauziah and her 12 noble mission-mates were blocked from reaching Gaza Strip, their message was well received and the Palestinians applauded their bravery and purposefulness. Dr Fauziah, together with the WBG humanitarian mission activists, decided to enter Gaza by sea after Israel closed and beseiged Gaza from the Egypt-Gaza border in Arafah. Their journey started on Sept 14 from Barcelona's Vell Port and they stopped at Ajaccio, France on Sept 19 after the first leg before sailing to Messina, Italy for the second leg. -- BERNAMA