From the Ramleh Prison

I just got off the phone with Othman at the Ramleh prison from Gaza city. He is well, but stressed out on when the occupation forces would let him out. His trial is due next week and his lawyer is following on procedures. Othman said he was with great comrades in the prison, and the phone he was using was theirs. He told me that this was his fourth trip to Palestine, having only one succeeding in entering which occured on the 9th of Dec. 2008. The other three were unfruitful with Free Gaza. One was when the Dignity was attacked as the FGM activists attempted to break the siege during the massacre in January 2009, another when the boat returned due to technical difficulty and a following one when they were stopped to return back to Larnaca by the IOF naval gunboats.
I had met Othman in Cyprus while he was off to board the fourth SS Dignity trip with Free Gaza... his eyes shined eagerness of leaving to Palestine, his home, to meet with what the occupation has done to it.
He said that the Israeli officers investigated for hours with him, asking why he came on board the Spirit of Humanity. He spoke about the courage and determination of the three women from Bahrain who refused to remove their hijab when the IOF ordered them to after the Spirit of Humanity was attacked by the Israeli naval gunboats and the forcibly got on board the boat. He also spoke of the 68 year old Mairead Maguire who was not so well on the board but despite her weak health defied the Israelis. "I am so proud to have been with such great people," he told me as I listen to his worn out voice. But, Othman did not let me speak a lot and ask questions. For it was him who wanted to know how I got along seven months in Gaza. We both lived the moments of Palestine again...
"Free Gaza will do it again and again and again" he said willfully, "and I will be with them.. again."

Natalie