Hobart woman Madeleine Habib has returned home to Tasmania after attempting to pass through the Gaza blockade.
Part of the international group Women's Boat to Gaza, the 13 pro-Palestine female activists were intercepted sailing to Gaza last week and detained for 24 hours before being deported.
Ms Habib described her interaction with the Israeli defence force as “peaceful”, and that the mission was largely symbolic.
“It is a symbol of hope, and for the people of Gaza, we’re the only chance that they have to break the blockade.
“Even though we weren’t successful in breaking the blockade, we did draw awareness to the plight of the people in Palestine,” she said.
Even though we weren’t successful in breaking the blockade, we did draw awareness to the plight of the people in Palestine.
- Hobart activist Madeleine Habib
Coordinated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Ms Habib said a previous mission in 2010 ended in an attack by the Israeli defence forces resulting in the death of 10 activists.
She said she made it clear to the defence force the protest would be non-violent.
A land, sea and air blockade on Gaza was put in place by Israel and Egypt in 2007.
