Native Affairs reporter relieved to be home | Māori Television
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Native Affairs’ reporter Ruwani Perera has arrived safely home after being detained by Israeli forces during a humanitarian aid mission.
Perera and cameraman Jacob Bryant were on one of the Freedom Flotilla boats following a group of Palestinian activists trying to the break through the Gaza blockade.
She was welcomed home this morning with open arms.
Perera says, “Yeah, I’m very pleased to be back in Tāmaki Makaurau. I’m crying actually, I’m quite happy. They’re tears of relief.”
Ruwani Perera was given her passport back with her detention ID number attached on the back.
“That last boarding was like 23 hours when we got to the jail. It was like a jail, and not knowing how many days it was going to be. There’s no stamps on my passport,” says Perera.
The Native Affairs crew, Perera and cameraman Jacob Bryant, were on board an international Flotilla that tried to break through the Gaza blockade to deliver aid. Four days ago, the Israeli Navy made its move.