Newcastle man among flotilla detainees in Israel
Newcastle businessman Reaaz Moola was on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. Read more here:
Newcastle businessman, Reaaz Moola (54), is among the South Africans who were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli authorities last night.
“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 he compiled for Conversation.com.
Israel responds
“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.”
Moola family speaks out
According to Reaaz’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 work 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.”
Explaining Reeaz’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 of the participants were aware that 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.
Reaaz left to Tunisia on August 29 and received three days 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 mid-September, with Reaaz on board the Florida.
When Zaheera spoke to Reaaz at 6pm Wednesday night (October 1) he told her he saw Israeli navy ships approaching the flotilla.
“He was calm and said he knew what to expect,” said Zaheera.
“I spoke to him again at 8pm. He called me to tell me that the 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 about Reaaz’s whereabouts yet.
“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.”
While President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release for the flotilla detainees who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid, Zaheera feels more needs to be done to raise awareness of the situation.
“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,” said Ramaphosa.
Zaheera said her husband and the others who embarked on this trip are prepared to give their lives to get this essential aid to Gaza and to open the humanitarian corridor to this war-ravaged area.
To her husband, she says, “We are proud of you and we support you one hundred per cent. 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.”
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