Pieter Rambags and Cerisa van Kesteren, who were on their way to Gaza with the aid fleet, say they experienced horrible things after they were arrested by Israel. Van Kesteren had to sit handcuffed on her knees for hours and Rambags had to sleep in a container with sixty others. The two people from Brabant landed at Schiphol around half past five on Friday.
Dozens of people were waiting for them in the arrivals hall at the airport. They carried Palestinian flags, chanted slogans and shouted in English, among other things, ‘death to the Israeli army’.
Cerisa van Kesteren from Cuijk was arrested on Tuesday when she was on her way to Gaza with a fleet full of aid. Israel intercepted it in the Mediterranean.
Upon arrival, she fell into her emotional father’s arms. She said she was very happy to be back home and that her family was waiting for her. About her experience with the Israeli army, she said that at one point she was deprived of food and water. “I was on my knees for at least eight hours straight, with my hands behind my back.”
Psychological help
“We have experienced horrible things,” says Pieter Rambags from Goirle. He was arrested on Monday. According to him, everyone on the ship he was on was abused and sixty people had to sleep in a container.
Eindhoven journalist Gijs Sanders and his cameraman from broadcaster BNNVARA, who also participated in the relief fleet, landed at Schiphol earlier Friday. According to their employer, they are doing well considering the circumstances. They were medically checked in Istanbul. The broadcaster previously announced that psychological help is available for Sanders and his cameraman.
Shocking images
On X, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir posted images this week showing members of the fleet being harshly treated. They are pulled by their hair and made to kneel on the ground. The far-right minister is laughing, with an Israeli flag in his hand.
Prime Minister Jetten called the treatment of the prisoners “degrading”. He confronted Israeli President Herzog about it. “This goes beyond all limits,” said the prime minister. Foreign Minister Berendsen has summoned the Israeli ambassador.
