Qutb Hendricks, seated next to Yusuf Rahman. Rahman shared his harrowing experience of detention in Durban on Saturday, recounting the brutal treatment he faced during the Gaza flotilla mission.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
SOUTH African Global Sumud Flotilla delegate, Yusuf Rahman spoke at an event at the Moses Mabhida Museum on Saturday.
His harrowing account of his experience was both deeply inspiring and disturbing.
This young man deserves a salute for his bravery and ability to translate words of solidarity with the Palestinians into concrete action. Yusuf sailed with several other South Africans towards Gaza- the aim was simple, the cause, humanitarian- break the illegal siege and deliver aid to the people of Gaza.
Of course, Yusuf’s vessel was intercepted, he and his comrades were captured in international waters by the Zionist occupation of Israel and subsequently tortured, beaten and made to bear extreme physical, psychological and emotional torture.
The vast majority of the South African public are unaware of the experiences of these individuals.
By Yusuf’s own account, they were beaten, starved and isolated. Elderly individuals who had broken ribs were beaten further upon asking for medicine.
Flash bombs, tasers, electrocution and hypothermia were other torture methods used by the occupation on civilians with naught but a clear humanitarian cause. Perhaps most disturbing of all, was Yusuf’s mention of South African citizens who were serving in the IDF who participated in the torture of their own countrymen. He mentioned hearing them converse in Afrikaans.
One soldier even commented on his nationality upon seeing his passport. I stand to be corrected, but why has our government not taken action against these individuals who are serving in the army of a foreign country?
Yusuf mentioned with some bitterness, the double standard of the South African government when it came to our stance on Palestine. Our country led the charge in taking Israel to the ICJ but still continues to supply the occupation with a sizeable amount of coal that powers the war machine that led to the torture of its own people.
Our country has taken a clear moral stance by taking Israel to the ICJ- we need to stand by it.
Yusuf addressed allegations that his voyage to Gaza was funded by the government, an allegation he firmly rejects. He stated that every cent towards his mission was privately sponsored.
In his address he also emphasised the need for us to start taking direct action against the occupation. The days of spreading awareness via social media posts are over. He emphasised that the fight for the liberation of Palestine was not a Muslim cause and that we need more diversity- people of other colours and races need to be aware that when the human rights of others are under attack, we are all under attack.
He touched on voting as well. South Africans need to make smart choices, we need a revolution in government, yes, but we cannot allow allies of Israel to take the helm of our great nation and allow what our forefathers gave their lives for to go in vain. Simply put, trading long term interests for short term gain will be a mistake we will live to regret.
Our country is vulnerable and there are signs of internal fractures- when a country cannot be corrupted from the outside, corrupt forces begin to destabilise it internally. The Xenophobic attacks, the rumbles of impeachment of our president, do not bode well for the future of the country. We need to remain united, brothers in arms. We must. Our survival depends on it.
Well done Yusuf- may God give you the strength to continue this fight. Amandla!
ZAYNAB KHAN
Durban