LONDON: Israel’s Strip blockade of Gaza is on check by a group of pro-Palestinian activists which has organized a new flotilla to make another attempt at breaking Israel’s Gaza barrier, initiated in 2007.
The flotilla which has sailed out from three Mediterranean Sea ports consists of at least three ships.
The launch date and list of participants had been kept secret.
The only known information about it was that among the activists are a former Tunisian president, as well as athletes, academicians, parliamentarians of different levels, diplomats and journalists, and a Catholic nun.
A participant of all three attempts to break through the Gaza blockade, Dror Feiler, says “They’ve kept my saxophone for five years now – it was confiscated during the arrests of the First Flotilla, and they aren’t giving it back,” says the musician.
“It is possible we won’t reach Gaza, but we will reach many hearts that will beat together with Gaza,” says Dror.
“We must go because our politicians fail to do their job – they fail to put enough pressure on Israel to lift off the blockade on land and sea,” he says.
Ana Miranda, 44, is a Galician politician and Vice President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) is also participating in the flotilla and has brought a group of journalists with her.
“Galicians have the fight for freedom in their blood. I am a deputy, but we live like ordinary people – we ride on a bus, go about daily chores like all people and know all the hardships of the common people’s life. This Flotilla is the symbol of resistance for the entire world. The Flotilla for the freedom of Gaza is the banner of all who resist,” she said.
Before the departure, the crew has been especially trained on how to properly resist violence in a peaceful way. Everyone, including the journalists, is taught how to behave if Israeli soldiers take over their boat.
The crew is told to be mentally prepared for any worse as it is possible that they will be held without food or water in the sun for many hours, and have their phones, money, bank cards and personal belongings confiscated, including recording equipment and cameras.
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