Leigh Evans had been on a ship which was trying to ship help to Gaza
A Welsh nurse who was detained by the Israeli authorities while on a ship to Gaza has touched down on UK soil. The Abd Elkarim Eid vessel which was on path to Gaza to ship help, was carrying Leigh Evans, a retired nurse from Swansea, when it was intercepted on Tuesday night time.
Since then, his spouse had issued an pressing plea and Leigh’s native MP mentioned she was working with the related authorities to make sure his protected return. Leigh Evans and Mary Finn, who had additionally been detained, landed at Heathrow Airport on Saturday afternoon, October 11, and have been met by a welcoming committee.
On his arrival again within the UK Leigh spoke to those that had gathered at Heathrow and recalled how he and others on the flotilla had been searched and detained. For the largest tales in Wales first, signal as much as our every day e-newsletter right here.
Leigh added: “What we went by means of was very disagreeable but it surely’s nothing in comparison with what the individuals of Gaza and Palestine are going by means of. We have been making an attempt to open a humanitarian hall to Gaza, they should not want help and assist however we have been making an attempt to maintain that open and ship humanitarian help.”
Leigh was visibly emotional at factors as he recalled what he had seen whereas within the Center East.
Leigh was one among quite a lot of pro-Palestinian activists aboard the Abd Elkarim Eid which was one among 9 boats within the Thousand Madleen Flotilla. The marketing campaign’s mission was “to interrupt the blockade of Gaza by means of peaceable solidarity”.
Earlier within the week, a video was shared of Leigh on his Instagram. The peace activist was sporting a bandana coated within the Welsh flag and mentioned: “My title is Roger Leigh Evans from the UK. If you’re seeing this video we now have been intercepted at sea and I’ve been kidnapped by the Israeli occupational forces of a rustic collaborating in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.
“I enchantment to all my comrades, mates, and household to place strain on the British authorities to demand my launch as quickly as doable.”
After Leigh was detained earlier within the week, his Labour MP for Gower Tonia Antoniazzi shared an announcement on-line. She wrote: “We now have been carefully monitoring Leigh’s journey aboard the Abd Elkarim Eid, one of many vessels within the Thousand Madleen Flotilla. The flotilla, which included 9 boats in whole, was intercepted by Israeli authorities final night time and is at the moment being towed to the Israeli Port of Ashdod. The journey is predicted to take roughly 20 hours.
“We’re awaiting additional updates from the Overseas Workplace and the consular caseworker assigned to Leigh Evans as soon as the boats arrive on the port. Within the meantime my staff stays in touch with Leigh’s spouse Maz Varey.
“Please be reassured that we’re in touch with the related British authorities who’re doing all they’ll to make sure Leigh Evans returns safely to his residence in Sandy Lane.”
