We have held off updating the status of Peter Venner on VentnorBlog until we’ve been able to hear the update personally, rather than through other news sources.
We’ve just got off the phone with Zuber Hatai who, this afternoon, had spoken to someone (Sakir) who was with Peter on the boat where the deaths occurred and is currently with him in the Turkish capital, Istanbul.
Not hurt
It’s very good to hear that both Peter and Sakir were not physically hurt in the raid on the boat, Mavi Marmara. It was said that their internal state is not so good having had to go through what must have been a very harrowing experience.
We heard that they are currently being well looked after by IHH (The Foundation for Human Rights and Humanitarian Relief), a Turkish relief organization.
Staying in Istanbul until Sunday
Peter won’t be returning to the UK today as some were reporting.
Four of the people who were killed when the boat was boarded by Israeli security forces, were Turkish, so there will be a funeral for them in Istanbul on Saturday.
Peter and Sakir will be attending the funeral and a large civic rally in Istanbul, returning by flight to England on Sunday.
Have a listen to Zuber for yourself …
[audio:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4663767/Audio/phone-call-with-zuber-about-peter-3-jun.mp3]
Background – Zuber spoke at Quay Arts with Peter about their experiences when they drove to Gaza at the tail end of last year.
