Sorrow still burns for boat massacre Paveen

CLOSE friend . . . Paveen at the grave of Furkan Dogan

A FORMER Oldham Council worker has made an emotional visit to the graves of friends who were killed when Israeli commandos stormed their flotilla delivering aid.



Paveen Yaqub (39) was on board the Mavi Marmara where nine activists were killed as they tried to deliver aid to Gaza in May.

She was taken to an Israeli prison after the boats were stormed, before being deported to Turkey.

Paveen, who quit her job as a co-ordinator this week, has just returned from a trip to Turkey where she visited the grave of her friend Furkan Dogan and others who lost their lives.

She also met with Furkan’s family so she could tell them about his last moments and visited Our Suleyman, who is still in a coma, in Ankara.

Paveen, from Honley near Huddersfield, said: “The trip was part of the healing process and I wanted to pay my respects to those that lost their lives.

“I was able to meet up with other people who survived the attack and it was good to see them as they know exactly what I went through and I don’t have to explain myself.

“I have given up my job at the council because the trip to Turkey helped me to realise what is really important.

“I have planned a fundraising event called The Truth Lay Bleeding in Manchester on Saturday to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinian people.

“Myself and Ken O’Keefe, who was also on board the Mavi Marmara will be sharing our stories in a bid to raise funds and awareness for the next mission.”

Paveen may be called to give evidence at a UN investigation into the flotilla attack and she is currently fundraising for a return humanitarian trip to Gaza.

She said: “I will carry on my work overseas.

“Preparations are already under way for the next convoy, which will be a sea flotilla and a road convoy, and I hope to take part in that and help break the siege.

“I am really glad I made the trip to Turkey. To see the families of those that lost their lives being so strong has given me the courage to carry on with the campaign and my efforts will continue.”