Despite the bloodshed he experienced during his first failed mission last year, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Kevin Neish is Gaza bound once again.

On Wednesday, Neish left for Istanbul where he will learn in what country he will board one of about 15 aid ships.

B次元官网网址淚n person theyB次元官网网址檒l tell me what to do next,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ecause of the threat of the Israelis damaging the ships or pressuring the countries (not to let them sail) B次元官网网址� information is on a need-to-know basis.B次元官网网址�

The flotilla will be carrying medical, school and construction supplies for the Palestinians of Gaza.

B次元官网网址淭he hospital has put out a special appeal for childrenB次元官网网址檚 hearing aids because of all the B次元官网网址� explosions and sonic booms the Israelis are doing over Gaza, the children are having hearing problems,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t really brings it in perspective when they ask for something like that.B次元官网网址�

On May 31, 2010, Neish made national headlines after Israeli marines boarded his ship, the Mavi Marmara, during a similar mission. Violence erupted and nine activists were killed.

B次元官网网址淚 was right in the middle of it,B次元官网网址� said Neish. B次元官网网址淭he commandos that were captured came right past me and all the dead bodies and wounded -- at least a couple of dozen came by me.B次元官网网址�

While most of the 500 aboard the flotilla were strip-searched by the Israeli military, Neish was deported to Turkey with his cameraB次元官网网址檚 memory card still hidden in his underwear.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 sure theyB次元官网网址檙e not happy that those photos got off,B次元官网网址� he said.

HeB次元官网网址檚 uploaded his graphic photos to the Internet, claiming credit as the photographer.

For this reason, he suspects heB次元官网网址檒l have a red flag on his file. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to be poking and prodding,B次元官网网址� he said.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 mission will likely be three times the size of last year, with activists from 100 countries including 30 to 40 Canadians.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been invited back on the (Mavi Marmara) and I agreed,B次元官网网址� he said.

NeishB次元官网网址檚 hope is to spend one week in Gaza, where he will lend his experience as a mechanic and waste-treatment plant operator to help fix the ailing sewer system or repair other machinery.

B次元官网网址淚t will be a step toward a peaceful solution,B次元官网网址� he said.

Most likely, however, heB次元官网网址檒l end up again detained by the Israeli military before he reaches the shore.

B次元官网网址淚 imagine it will be a repeat of last year,B次元官网网址� Neish conceded. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 walking into what could be an extremely violent situation, but I wonB次元官网网址檛 be alone.B次元官网网址�

Looking back on his experience last year, he said B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 still angry.B次元官网网址�

To this day, he suffers from nightmares, likely inspired by his deportation to Turkey.

B次元官网网址淚 lost all my identification to the Israelis, so I always seem to be reaching for my wallet when IB次元官网网址檓 in these dreams.B次元官网网址�

rholmen@vicnews.com

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� While Israel was widely criticized after its raid on an aid flotilla last year, the country accuses activists of provoking the violence. Kevin Neish and other witnesses insist the activists on board had no weapons and resisted only with objects such as broom handles, pipes and chains. According to the BBC, a four-person UN panel was appointed to investigate in August, but has yet to report back.