Local Leicester Man on Freedom Flotilla bound for Gaza Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al Aqsa
The Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) condemns in the strongest terms the hostile attack on the Gaza Freedom Fortilla by the Israeli armed forces. Unarmed volunteers who were bound for Gaza carrying much needed humanitarian aid were attacked using live fire, and 19 people have been reportedly killed. This is an act of absolute aggression by Israel, carried out in international waters where they had no jurisdiction to act.
Amongst the 500 international volunteers on board, 28 are British citizens one of whom is a local Leicester resident Ismail Adam Patel (Chair of NGO Friends of Al Aqsa), which is an affiliate of the FMO.
The FMO are supporting Friends of Al Aqsa and the wife and three children of Ismail Adam Patel at this extremely distressing and anxious time. No contact has been made with Ismail since late Sunday night, and watching the scenes on TV of the barbaric actions of the Israeli army only intensify the concern for his welfare felt by his family. I hope we can find out as soon as possible what has happened and that all people on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla along with Ismail are safe. The International Community must condemn Israel for this flagrant breach of international law, as has our Foreign Secretary who stated: Israel should address the serious concerns about the deterioration in the humanitarian and economic situation and about the effect on a generation on young Palestinians due to the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
I have spoken to the family of Ismail Patel, and his wife has already spoken to her local MP Edward Garnier who in his capacity as MP for Harborough and Oadby, and Solicitor General has personally assured that he will ascertain the situation of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and lend his support to the family of Ismail Adam Patel, said Suleman Nagdi, spokesperson for the Federation.
Local members of Leicesters community from diverse backgrounds will be visiting the family of Ismail Patel to offer their support and prayers for his safe return. The Federation of Muslim Organisation are liaising with various MPs like the Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby who told the members of the FMO and Friends of Al Aqsa that he is appalled at the indefensible Israeli attack on the humanitarian freedom flotilla adding that this is an act of unchecked aggression in international waters against volunteers whose only interest was in providing aid to the needy people of Gaza.
Suleman Nagdi
Public Relations Officer
Federation Muslim Organisations
07759 446555 |