Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Filmmaker Slams Israeli Actions in Palestine, Shares Gaza Voyage Experience
A filmmaker from Singapore, Jason Soo, made a movie called 'Al Awda' about a trip he took in 2018 with other people who wanted to sail to Gaza.
Gaza is a place that is hard to get into because of a blockade.
When their boat got close to Gaza, the Israeli military stopped them, took their boat, and put Jason and the others in jail.
Jason said the prison was dirty and the food was bad, and he felt the guards were racist.
He said other activists were treated even worse, some getting hurt.
Jason believes what happened to him and the Palestinians in Israeli prisons is a form of oppression.
He thinks people around the world should speak out against what he sees as injustice, especially since many countries, including his own, have experienced difficult times like colonization.
He hopes his movie helps people understand what is happening.
Singaporean filmmaker Jason Soo's film 'Al Awda' documents his 2018 voyage to Gaza.
Soo and other activists were detained by Israeli forces in international waters near Gaza.
He describes experiencing poor prison conditions and witnessing harsher treatment of other activists.
Soo calls for global action against Israeli oppression and criticizes the silence of world governments.
The film is part of the Kolkata International Film Festival, competing for an award.
- Who
- Singaporean independent filmmaker Jason Soo and other activists
- What
- Filmmaker documents his experience being detained by Israeli forces during an attempted voyage to Gaza in 2018, sharing his film 'Al Awda' and calling for action against Israeli oppression.
- When
- The voyage and detention occurred in 2018. The filmmaker is speaking out and his film is being shown now.
- Where
- Voyage was en route to Gaza; detention occurred in international waters near Gaza.
- Why
- To document and protest the Israeli blockade and alleged oppression of Palestinians in Gaza.
Filmmaker's Perspective
Implied Israeli Actions
Treatment of Activists
Filmmaker's Perspective
Describes witnessing and experiencing detention, confiscation of belongings (including a camera and films), prison with filthy conditions and horrible food, and racist wardens. Mentions activists being tasered, leading to bleeding.
Implied Israeli Actions
Israeli military forces took over the boat, detained activists and filmmaker, confiscated belongings, and allegedly destroyed films. Allegations of physical abuse, threats, and harassment by Israeli forces are mentioned.
Blockade of Gaza
Filmmaker's Perspective
His film 'Al Awda' provides a firsthand account of the dangers and mistreatment faced by activists attempting to break Israel's blockade of Gaza.
Implied Israeli Actions
Israeli forces intercepted a boat sailing through international waters, about 20 kilometers from Gaza.
Government Stance
Filmmaker's Perspective
Laments the Singaporean government's perceived backing of 'oppressors of Gaza' and criticizes global silence on what he terms 'genocide'. Believes citizens must act when governments betray human values.
Implied Israeli Actions
Singaporean authorities denied the filmmaker a visa to attend a film festival in Kolkata.
- Filmmaker
- Jason Soo (Singaporean)
- Film
- Al Awda
- Event Documented
- Attempted voyage to Gaza (Flotilla 2018)
- Location of Interception
- International waters, approximately 20 km from Gaza
- Detention Duration for Soo
- Two days
- Soo's Deportation Route
- Via Thailand
- Film Festival
- Kolkata International Film Festival (competing for NETPAC Asian Select Award)