{"id":1622913,"date":"2024-04-22T01:41:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T01:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=100066"},"modified":"2024-04-22T01:41:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T01:41:57","slug":"activists-defy-israel-with-gaza-bound-freedom-flotilla-and-humanitarian-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/04\/22\/activists-defy-israel-with-gaza-bound-freedom-flotilla-and-humanitarian-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Activists defy Israel with Gaza-bound \u2018freedom\u2019 flotilla and humanitarian aid"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Salwa Amor in Istanbul<\/em><\/p>\n Palestine solidarity activists are preparing a flotilla to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, vowing to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory on board the Akdeniz<\/em>, a seven-deck passenger ship.<\/p>\n Currently docked in Istanbul, the ship will carry 800 people from more than 30 nations, from Indonesia to the US state of Hawai’i, and is expected to transport 5500 tonnes of aid to Gaza once it sets sail from Turkey in the coming days.<\/p>\n On Friday, reports in Israel media suggested the Israeli authorities are preparing to intercept it. The activists joining the Akdeniz<\/em> will be mindful of a previous fatal attempt by a vessel of comparable size to set sail from Turkey to Gaza.<\/p>\n The Mavi Marmara<\/em> was a Turkish aid ship, part of a flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip in May 2010. Israeli commandos intercepted the flotilla in international waters, boarded the Mavi Marmara<\/em> and killed nine Turkish activists, injuring several others.<\/p>\n The incident sparked international condemnation and strained relations between Turkey and Israel.<\/p>\n The acquisition of the Akdeniz<\/em> was made possible through the support of four million donors worldwide.<\/p>\n Organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a coalition of 12 countries including Turkey — and New Zealand through Kia Ora Gaza<\/a> — in partnership with \u0130nsani Yard\u0131m Vakf\u0131 (IHH), the mission aims to break the deadly siege that has severely impacted the lives of the people of Gaza for years amid Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians since October 7.<\/p>\n Pro-Palestinian activist and human rights lawyer Huwaida Arraf, who was on the Mavi Marmara<\/em> in 2010, announced she would also join the flotilla.<\/p>\n “While we recognise Israel’s potential for intercepting the mission, we hope for a peaceful outcome. If they choose to attack, those on board are prepared to engage in nonviolent resistance,” she told reporters.<\/p>\n Rousing farewell for #Kiwi<\/a> #doctors<\/a> flying out to #Gaza<\/a> aid flotilla #AsiaPacificReport<\/a> #KiaOraGaza<\/a> #humanitarianaid<\/a> @palestine<\/a> @EyeonPalestine<\/a> @OnlinePalEng<\/a> @PalestineChron<\/a> @uriohau<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/4MSlwmRNYf<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YUmJDlYDT7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 David Robie (@DavidRobie) April 19, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
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