Psychological torture was more intense than physical abuse by Israeli forces: Shahidul Alam
Many of them went on a hunger strike during their detention under Israeli forces, he says
Renowned photographer and activist Shahidul Alam described his experiences at the hands of Israeli forces, saying that while there was some physical abuse, the psychological torture was far more intense and dehumanising.
Speaking at a press conference at Drik this afternoon (11 October), Shahidul recounted his detention after being captured at sea from the Gaza flotilla.
"Many of us went on a hunger strike during our detention under Israeli forces," he said.
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The activist said, "The Israeli forces seemed more afraid of us than the others. Their fear showed through in the way they treated us — through psychological torment rather than physical assault. I saw them torture two Turkish men right in front of me."
Struggle will continue until Palestine is liberated: Shahidul Alam on return
Shahidul further said, "Once we disembarked, they lined us up and detained us three at a time. There was a man named Ali wearing a shirt with the Palestinian flag; they forced him to take it off."
"The place where they made us sit had been urinated on. That was humiliating beyond words. The most painful moment was when they threw my passport to the ground — not once, but twice," he added.
Later, in jail, Shahidul said he met another Bangladeshi named Liakat from Sylhet.
Shahidul Alam returned to Dhaka this morning after being freed from illegal detention by occupying Israeli forces.
He was released by Israeli authorities on Friday (10 October) after joining a Free Palestine campaign.
Earlier yesterday, Shahidul Alam reached Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight around 2:30pm local time, where he was received by Bangladesh Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups, organises civilian maritime missions aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza to deliver vital humanitarian aid.
The ships carried over $110,000 worth of medical supplies, respiratory equipment and nutrition intended for hospitals struggling in Gaza, the coalition said.
However, the Israeli Defense Force intercepted the boats and detained those aboard.
The Guardian reported on 8 October that a new flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza was also intercepted by the Israeli military.
