Paveen: I was kicked and abused in prison

Paveen Yaqub

An Oldham council worker who was taken prisoner after pro-Palestinian aid boats were stormed by Israeli commandos says she was kicked and abused.

Paveen Yaqub was on board the Mavi Marmara where nine aid activists were killed last week.

The 39-year-old Oldham LIFT worker, whose family live in Abbeyhills, was taken to an Israeli prison after the aid flotilla was stormed, then deported to Turkey.

Reports from Turkey say she told local journalists the Israelis were kicking her legs to make her fall and mocking her in Hebrew.

Paveen, from Honley near Huddersfield, also said: “They were trying to take trophy pictures of me and they liked laughing in my face.

“They also searched me but I won’t go into that. They took pleasure in humiliating me.”

She described the experience as a nightmare and added: “We were terrorised for the last few days by the Israeli authorities. It was an insane situation. I’m exhausted.

“I haven’t slept for days. I was on hunger strike for the last few hours.”

She also alleged the Israeli authorities tried to force her to sign a document in Hebrew which she refused.

Paveen is expected to fly home from Istanbul via Manchester Airport on Wednesday or Thursday, according to her sister, Nosheen, from Skipton Street, Abbeyhills.

Paveen praised the Turkish government for its help, Nosheen added, and said: “Paveen said they are all shocked and upset, they are grieving for those who were killed and people are still missing.

“When they were taken by the Israeli government, some were beaten and separated.

“They are angry with the media coverage here, there hasn’t been enough, and they said there has been lie after lie by the Israeli Government.

“She said they had to go on hunger strike to get their first phone call to us.”


Boycott Israeli goods, Peace group urges
SADDLEWORTH Peace Movement is urging local people to boycott Israeli goods in protest at the continued blockade of Gaza.

Parish Councillor Ken Hulme said: “We are all relieved that local peace activist Paveen Yaqub is safe and well and will be returning home shortly.

“Like many others, we admire her courage and determination in her efforts to break the Israel blockade and bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

“She and her colleagues can be proud of what they have achieved.

“The appalling violence of the Israeli military response to the aid convoy has sparked widespread condemnation of the Israeli actions and a call from our own government as well as the United States secretary of state Hillary Clinton for the siege of Gaza to be lifted. This offers a glimmer of hope for the Middle East.

“The Israeli blockade of Gaza and the suffering caused to its innocent civilian population is not only an affront to civilised values it is also a source of immense danger to peace in the area.

“A just and lasting settlement for both the Israeli and Palestinian people has to be found. The implications of not doing so are too awful to contemplate — for all of us. Israeli has to be made to stop using violence and force as its first and seemingly only response to events.

“A peaceful way forward has to be found and we urge everyone to use their power as consumers to put pressure on the Israeli government by boycotting Israeli goods in local shops and supermarkets until the siege of Gaza is lifted.”