Hackney Gaza activist returns and condemns Israeli blockade

Sarah Colborne, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

A Hackney woman who was part of the Palestinian aid flotilla stormed by Israeli troops this week described seeing a man dying on board the Mavi Marmara, on which at least nine activists were killed.

At a press conference held on Thursday in the TUC headquarters, Sarah Colborne, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, described how she had woken up at around 4:10am on Monday to see Israeli military boats speeding towards the ship.

“Helicopters then appeared,” she said. “We then had the first passenger fatally injured. He was brought to the back of the deck. He was shot in the head. I saw him. He was in a very bad way and he subsequently died. There were bullets flying all over the place.”

Ms Colborne said she hoped the deaths would bring wider recognition of Israel’s “crimes” in Gaza.

She said, “I hope this will not be in vain and that this will act as a wake-up call to governments including our own government. Israel has been used to acting with impunity and violating international law. That situation has to change now.”

The Israeli Embassy in London has claimed the activists on the Mavi Marmara attacked Israeli soldiers with clubs and knives – something those on board have disputed.

A statement released to the press by the embassy said Israel regretted the loss of life.