It has been confirmed by the Foreign Office that all 28 British activists on board the Freedom Flotilla are being held in an Israeli Detention Centre awaiting deportation. British consular staff are still seeking permission for access to to the activists. There are no reported injuries at this stage.

Shamiul Joarder, Head of PR for Friends of Al-Aqsa stated: “It is an immense relief to hear that Ismail Patel and all 27 of the other British activists are safe. The question that still needs to be addressed by the international community is why Israeli intervention lead to such tragic loss of lives, and Friends of Al-Aqsa will lobby hard to ensure that these pressing questions are addressed.” 

Suleman Nagdi, Spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) added "Last night a public outpouring of concerned Imams and Community Leaders were present at an emergency meeting, to address the concerns of the wider community, regarding the deaths and the well being of the peace activists currently held in detention by the Israeli authorities". We are hopeful that all British nationals will be released within the next 72 hours without any harm or interrogation. 

The family would like to thank the community at large for their kind words and letters of support.  The FMO is grateful to the community for having shown the true values of Islam by remaining peaceful and restraining from any regrettable actions at this time of distress.

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Suleman Nagdi

Mobile 07759 446555