Hostage Flotilla Activist's family on Hunger Strike

(Tuesday, June 1, 2010)
A family of six brothers and their mother and father have declared hunger strike until the safe release of their 7th brother who has been taken hostage along with the other humanitarian activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla mission to Gaza. The missing brother, Osama Qashoo, was an member of the Free Gaza movement that participated in a 6-vessel flotilla intended to deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip. He was a passenger on the Turkish ship “Mavi Marmara”, that was that was illegally attacked by the Israeli Navy vessels and armed personnel in International waters before sunrise on Monday, May 31. It has been front-page news in most international news organizations that as many as 19 people have died in this attack and there are large numbers of injured as well.

Osama Qashoo, is a British citizen and a resident of Haringey in North London, a post-graduate from the National Film and Television School, and a member of the Free Gaza movement. He is a Palestinian activist and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Last news of him was heard on the evening before, through press contacts at CNN. One brother in Saudi Arabia, another in New York and the rest of the family in the West Bank are beside themselves with grief and uncertainty. They do not know if he is one of the killed or injured, nor the conditions and length of his detention. Media have been cut off from these activists since the attack occurred on the 31st.

“I know I am not alone in my distress and fear for my brothers life, and share this with the 749 other families and friends of those killed, injured and being held captive. My family is on hunger strike until Osama is delivered to us, safe and sound.” said Osama’s brother Mosab who is currently in New York. “If anyone has any idea of his whereabouts, and whether he is safe, we beg of them to let us know.”