"Nine dead isn't accurate.-
There are many more missing. I believe that figure will rise".
3 June 2010
Still wearing her grey Israeli prison uniform, Sarah Colborne, PSC's director of campaigns and operations, flew back to London this morning, to tell the world of the horror that took place on board the Marvi Marmara.
Addressing a press conference in central London, with the Palestinian flag in front of her, Sarah said:
'On Sunday 30th May, we set sail for Gaza. At 11pm, Israeli naval boats were detected on the radar and later sighted. A decision was made to move further back into international waters and further from Israel. We started broadcasting from the deck. It was difficult because Israel was cutting off the satellite signal.
'An emergency medical room was assembled. We were told to put life jackets on to prepare for any possible attack. At 2am, I went to sleep. I woke up at 4, and went up to the deck where I went outside. I saw small dinghies bristling with guns and the Israeli military speeding towards the ship. Helicopters then appeared. Gas and sound bombs were used. At 4.30, I heard gunshots.
'The first passenger was fatally injured. He was brought to the back of the deck below. He was shot in the head. I saw him. He was in a very bad way, and he subsequently died. The captain announced that live ammunition was being used and to stop resisting this act of piracy, and to go downstairs and sit down.
'At 5.15, we started to broadcast out of the tannoy for help for the injured. We asked the Israelis to stop the attacks and to help the injured. Instead, the saloon remained surrounded by soldiers targeting individuals with laser sights. I could see the red of the laser sights sweeping over people's heads.
We wrote 'SOS Need medical assistance, people are dying, urgent', and the Palestininan-Israeli Knesset member took that to the back of the boat, where soliders were pointing guns at her and told her to go back. The message was brought up again to the back by a British citizen and she was also told to go back.
'At 7am, the first critical person was allowed out, and he was delivered into Israeli hands. An attempt was made to send medics with the critically injured people. Instead, they were cuffed and put on deck and they weren't allowed to accompany those critically injured people to hospital. I saw four dead bodies laid out on the floor of the saloon.
'At 7.30, we were moved out of the saloon and cuffed with cable ties. All our phones and cameras were removed. We were made to sit and kneel on the decks. The sun was strong and people were dehydrated. I requested water for people on the upper deck, where I was.
'[After being taken from the boat] we were processed at Ashdod. I had my memory card from my camera in my shoe. That was taken, and I haven't had it back. We were taken to Beer Sheva prison. We were denied consular access - he came to the prison on Monday, but was denied access. He was allowed in on Tuesday afternoon, but wasn't allowed to see everyone. Some British citizens weren't allowed to see their consular representative.
'This was simply an attempt by Israel to prevent humanitarian aid getting to Gaza. Israel has added piracy and an attack on an international aid boat in international waters, and the murder of international civilians, to its list of crimes against humanity.
Nine dead isn't accurate.
There are many more missing. I believe that figure will rise. 'We hope the horrific deaths of the people on board won't be in vain. We hope this will be a wake-up call. The siege on Gaza must end. It is inhumane and immoral. Israel has been used to acting with impunity against international law. That must now end.'
Watch Sara Colborne Press Conference Here
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