Terror in detention: Global Sumud Flotilla activist exposes Israeli abuse

Dr Fatima Hendricks, one of the six South Africans who were abducted by Israel in international waters when they attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) expressed no regret on endeavouring on the dangerous mission.

Speaking from the OR Tambo International Airport shortly after arriving, Hendricks said while the journey was not easy, it was imperative.

"Each one of us were very clear and not afraid. These are Zionist occupation forces that know nothing but brutal violence. They came into our room and attacked two women," she said. "We had rifles pointed at our foreheads, backed against the room."

Along with Nkosi Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Carrie Shelver, Zaheera Soomar, and Reaz Moola, she was taken to Ketzi'ot Prison, a high-security facility located in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.

Hendricks reiterated that the group's objective was to deliver aid to Gaza and was not violent.

"We are a direct non-violent movement. We were 10 or 12 women in a cell and yet, they responded to us with this type of brutal violence. They were given instructions not to harm us, but they used every means of intimidation."

She said the soldiers forcibly took her hijab which she has worn since she was 11 years old.

"I'm wearing a t-shirt on my head because there is a manifestation of anti-Muslim hatred. They refused to let women wear hijab."

A breast cancer survivor, Hendricks said she was mocked by the Israeli soldiers for not having breasts. "The mockery that the Israelis enforce on the Palestinians, who we don't see, which we will never hear from. We only witnessed what they wrote on the walls of that prison," she said.

She described the walls as being blood-splattered with writings from previous prisoners. "We knew we were going to get out, yet the Palestinian detainees have no end date.

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