Gaza activist from Leicester heading home after aid ship stormed by Israelis
A man held in Israel after he was taken from a Gaza aid ship stormed by commandos on Monday could be home today.
Nine people died but Ismail Patel, 47, from Oadby, was uninjured. He was due to fly from Tel Aviv to Turkey last night before boarding a plane to London.
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Ismail Patel
Today he was set to meet Foreign Office officials for a de-briefing session before rejoining his family.
Israel has thrown all of the 700 activists who were detained out of the country after deciding not to prosecute any of them.
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Mr Patel's brother Shockat, from Evington, Leicester, said: "We all feel very relieved, we just all want him home and we are waiting to speak to him.
"His wife and children are very happy he is unharmed."
Last night Shockat, 37, travelled with community leader Suleman Nagdi for an urgent meeting with MPs at the House of Commons.
Beforehand, Mr Nagdi, spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO), said: "The family are overwhelmed with the support they have received during this time.
"As soon as Ismail is back home, and after he has spent time with his family, then I'm sure he can tell us what happened.
"He is a very peaceful and calm individual who has an international standing on this issue – he is not an extremist in any way."
Mr Patel, an optician with practices in Leicester and Derby, founded the pro-Palestinian organisation the Friends of Al Aqsa about 15 years ago.
His nephew Muhammed Talha, 19, of north Evington, spoke to the Mercury from Delhi, India, where he is studying.
He said: "I'm so pleased my uncle is on his way back – he is a role model to me and many other people.
"Everyone cares so much about him because he cares so much about others, he is not a violent man at all."
Adie Mormech, of Earl Shilton, spent six days in an Israeli jail last year after warships intercepted the aid convoy he was travelling with.
The 32-year-old spoke to the Mercury from Gaza city and said: "I know when we were put in prison 11 months ago we were told we couldn't have any contact – but luckily we had an early visit from an ambassador who let us use his phone for a minute.
"It sounds as though this time the activists have been kept in more secure and isolated conditions.
"I've also heard there have been cameras on them all the time in jail."
Harborough MP Edward Garnier has been in contact with the Patel family throughout their ordeal, and said British officials had at first failed to locate Mr Patel at Be'er Sheva prison. After a second look, Mr Patel was found in the cells and sent to the airport.
Comments
by TH, London
Friday, June 04 2010, 3:22PM
“Iresha, I can assure you these people have a lot to do in their daily life yet find the time to commit to a worthwhile cause. You sound like someone who doesn't understand charity. If you do, and make donations, then this is no different. We all make choices on what we belief in and who we choose to support. Don't diss people for that - live and let live. I am humbled that people I know are willing to give their life for others. We should all stop, take stock, think of others and you know what? The world would be a better place. Perhaps a little idealist but one has to hope.”
by iresha, Kirby Muxloe Leicestershire
Thursday, June 03 2010, 9:37PM
“all these activists are people who have nothing to do. If you working hard all day you will have no energy and no time for demonstration and cetera”
by Mr. Leicester, Leicester
Thursday, June 03 2010, 3:39PM
“To annon, Leicestershire, perhaps you would be better off by not reading my comments.
To Concerned Citizen, Leicester, if you were so concerned why didnt you go out to Gaza and rescue Mr whoever yourself?”
by Mr LFE, LFE
Thursday, June 03 2010, 1:29PM
“Just so I'm clear on this...this activist is classed as a hero because he was apparently in the wrong?
Was he one of those I seen on the news waiting for the soldiers to come onto the boat before smashing them over and over and over with metal poles in a ravage pack...?
No? OK, my mistake...”
by Concerned Citizen, Leicester
Thursday, June 03 2010, 12:41PM
“Mr Leicester - at least nine people have been murdered and you are bored - how selfish.”
by annon, Leicestershire
Thursday, June 03 2010, 12:20PM
“Well Mr.Leicester, perhaps you would be better off by not reading the Mecury if you are so bored by it all, and then maybe we wouldn't be bored by your inane posts.”
by Mr. Leicester, Leicester
Thursday, June 03 2010, 11:51AM
“My gosh.....(yawn).....this still in the news?
The Mercury really is running out of stories to print.”
by Bro, Leicester
Thursday, June 03 2010, 11:17AM
“Mohammed Talha is not his nephew as you have quoted.”