'Freedom Flotilla' to sail from EU to Gaza in bid to break blockade

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
12 Nov 2022 10:08
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Activists organize a flotilla to Gaza in an ongoing bid to break the brutal siege on the Strip.

'Freedom Flotilla' to sail from EU to Gaza in bid to break the blockade

Members of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition met in London in order to prepare for the upcoming flotilla from Europe to Gaza, scheduled to set sail in 2023 and intended to end the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

The conference was supported by the Palestinian Forum in Britain, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. They added that representatives from the international coalition from several European nations, as well as New Zealand, Malaysia, Turkey, Canada, the United States, and South Africa, were present.

Additionally, the International Committee to lift the Gaza Blockade was present. "Our goals remain full human rights for all Palestinians," the Freedom Flotilla Coalition wrote on their official website about their next flotilla. "In particular, freedom of movement within historic Palestine and the right of return."

"This work includes amplifying Palestinian voice," they continued on their site.

"While some of our partner organizations are actively involved with important programs addressing the most urgent needs of Palestinian children traumatized by the blockade and murderous Israeli attacks on Gaza, we recognize that a lasting solution requires an end to the blockade."

'People-to-people solidarity movement'

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition was established in 2010, and on their website, they describe themselves as a "people-to-people solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives from different parts of the world, working together to end the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza."

In addition to the occupation of their land, #Palestinian people in #Gaza were subjected to 4 brutal aggressions in just 13 years by the Israeli occupation, leaving thousands dead and many more traumatized.#Palestine #SeifAlQuds pic.twitter.com/G4sGO3Ju2G
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 11, 2022

Only eight of the 16 flotillas that were sent to Gaza over a ten-year period in 2008 actually arrived there. In 2009, "Israel" began preventing flotilla arrivals.

On May 31, 2010, six civilian ships of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" were boarded in international waters, about 130km (80 miles) from the occupied Palestinian coast. Israeli commandos landed on the largest ship, the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, by descending on ropes from helicopters, and as soon as they hit the deck, they opened fire, killing nine activists instantly.