SEPANG: The nine Malaysians detained by Israeli forces have returned home to an emotional welcome from hundreds of family members, friends and supporters.
The group, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza humanitarian mission, was deported to Turkiye before flying home from Istanbul.
They were greeted with tears, hugs and cheers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal One as supporters dressed in red, green and black chanted and waved Palestinian flags.
The nine Malaysians were Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi, Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Dr Maziah Muhammad, Norsham Abu Bakar and Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.
A representative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented new mobile phones to the group, who had thrown theirs into the sea during the Israeli interception.
The mission involved about 150 activists from 25 countries aboard nine vessels in an effort to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chairman Datuk Seri Prof Dr Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha expressed gratitude to Anwar and the Turkish authorities for securing their release.
“A mission does not have to reach Gaza to be considered successful, as the world’s eyes are now focused on the plight of Gazans,” he said.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, representing the government, also thanked the Malaysian diplomatic mission in Turkiye for their assistance.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Fauziah, on her second mission to Palestine, said Israeli forces were more aggressive this time.
“The extensive publicity surrounding the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla earlier may have protected us from greater aggression during our arrest,” she said.
Syafik’s mother, Rodziah Abdullah, 72, said she fully supported her son’s decision to join the mission.
“If he wants to go again, I’ll still give him my blessing. He’s deeply committed to his work and his cause,” she said.
The group’s vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces on Oct 8, less than 120 nautical miles from Gaza.
Wisma Putra later confirmed that the Malaysians had been safely evacuated to Istanbul before returning home.
