Newcastle businessman Reaaz Moola (54) is among the South Africans who were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli authorities on Wednesday night, according to the Newcastle Advertiser.

“The interceptions took place in the Mediterranean Sea between 70–80 nautical miles off the Gazan coast. These are international waters where international law recognises high seas freedom of navigation for all vessels,” states Professor of International Law Donald Rothwell, in an article compiled for The Conversation.

“Israel has countered by arguing it has a maritime blockade which prohibits entry to Gaza by foreign vessels. Israel has also suggested the flotilla was supported by Hamas – an assertion the flotilla organisers have rejected.”

Humanitarian aid and global figures onboard

According to Moola’s wife, Zaheera, the flotilla comprised 44 repurposed boats, mostly fishing boats and trawlers, carrying humanitarian aid in the form of baby formula, non-perishable food items and medication to war-torn Gaza.

Aboard were about 500 activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson and tribal chief Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, and South African journalist and novelist Zukiswa Wanner.

Moola, who is a Newcastle cattle farmer and entrepreneur, is also dedicated to charity and humanitarian efforts both locally and abroad as chairman of the Muslim Welfare Committee.

“Humanitarian work has always been part of our lives,” said Zaheera. “…and Reaaz is always looking for ways to help other people.”

Why Moola joined the flotilla

Explaining her husband’s decision to join the flotilla, Zaheera added: “Palestine has always been close to our hearts. We were fortunate to visit a few years ago on a religious pilgrimage to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. We have been watching what’s happening in Gaza every day on social media. There are no words to describe what’s happening and Reaaz always says that if you are complacent for too long, you become complicit.”

She continued: “When Reaaz heard about the flotilla in August he immediately wondered how he could join. He found some information on Google and reached out to the organisers. The next day he received an email with an application form. Our daughter helped him with the administration. When he was interviewed to participate as a volunteer on the flotilla, organisers were impressed with his experience and maturity.”

All participants knew interception by Israeli authorities was not just possible, but very likely, and organisers felt that Reaaz’s calm demeanour would set others at ease if there were to be a hostile confrontation.

Final call before interception

Reaaz left for Tunisia on August 29 and received three days of training to enable him to perform his duties on the boat, which commenced on September 1.

Due to unforeseen delays, the flotilla only set sail from Tunisia in mid-September, with Reaaz onboard the Florida.

When Zaheera spoke to him at 18:00 on Wednesday night, he told her he saw Israeli navy ships approaching.

“He was calm and said he knew what to expect,” said Zaheera.

“I spoke to him again at 20:00. He called me to tell me that he could see them intercepting another boat and he believed his boat was going to be intercepted next … Then the call was cut.”

At the time of publishing, Zaheera had not heard anything further about her husband’s whereabouts.

South Africa and Israel respond

“From what I understand, the passengers on board the flotilla will be taken either to a holding cell or a prison at one of the Israeli ports. They will be asked to sign a document which admits that they broke the law in which case they will be immediately deported. However, they will not sign the document because they were not in Israeli water or on Israeli land when they were intercepted. The Israeli government will, thereafter, set up hearings or court cases for each of them and then they will be deported either to their home country or to the nearest transport hub,” Zaheera explained.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release of the detainees.

“South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel,” Ramaphosa said.

Zaheera added that her husband and the others who embarked on the trip are prepared to give their lives to get aid to Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor.

“To my husband, we are proud of you and we support you 100%. Come back to me and the kids safely. We pray for your safe return. Regardless of what happens, we will continue, as a family, to do what we can to make a difference.”

Deportations underway

The Witness reports that Israel said it would begin deportation proceedings for the activists aboard vessels from the Gaza aid flotilla, with organisers saying 39 of the flotilla’s boats had been halted.

The activists will be sent to Europe. The Israeli navy intercepted vessel after vessel at sea since Wednesday, after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade.

“None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts have succeeded in their attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade,” Israel’s foreign ministry said.

“One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”

Mandela and at least five other South Africans were onboard the flotilla of around 45 vessels aiming to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver aid, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also accused Israel of brutality in boarding the flotilla. “This attack by the Israeli government against civilians sailing in international waters has once again shown the madness of its genocidal leaders trying to hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza,” Erdogan said.

By yesterday, of the roughly 45 ships, over 30 had been intercepted or were assumed to have been intercepted, according to the flotilla’s tracking system. Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said vessels not yet intercepted were determined to continue.

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