Tarique Rahman lauds Shahidul Alam for joining Gaza aid flotilla

Bangla Press Desk:   BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has praised veteran photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam for taking part in the Gaza aid flotilla.

Shahidul was in the last and biggest of the 44 vessels that formed the flotilla. By Friday afternoon, Israel had managed to forcibly intercept all the vessels and detain around 450 passengers, which included activists, journalists and lawmakers from around the world.

On Saturday, hours after Shahidul’s vessel was intercepted, Tarique Rahman published a facebook post, extending BNP’s support to the activist.

“Shahidul Alam’s bold step onto the Gaza flotilla is not just an act of solidarity, it is a roar of conscience. By carrying Bangladesh’s flag, he reminds the world of what the people of Bangladesh stand for - never bowing down to oppression and injustice. BNP stands with him and the people of Palestine, today and always.”

Earlier, in a video message on Friday noon, Shahidul claimed he was in the last and biggest of the 44 vessels that formed the flotilla. The rest of the vessels were already seized by Israeli Navy, he said.

While most of the vessels were carrying food and medical aid, Shahidul’s vessel was aimed at breaking Israel’s 18-year-old illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, he added in the video message. There were 96 passengers in the vessel, majority of whom were journalists and health workers.

Shortly after Shahidul’s video message Israel claimed it had intercepted the last vessel.

BP/TD