Sailing Towards Gaza: Aboard the Freedom Flotilla with Mskwaasin Agnew
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Sparking global outrage and condemnation, Israel has illegally intercepted every vessel and captured every volunteer sailing to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla. Every single Flotilla member that we have interviewed here on the Real News in recent weeks has been detained.Israel’s extremist, national Security Minister and genocide enthusiast imar Ben Vere, is calling for Flotilla activists to be jailed rather than deported. “I think they must be kept here for a few months in an Israeli prison so that they get used to the smell of the terrorist wing,” Ben Vere posted on X. The fate of every humanitarian activist captured by Israel and the fate of the people’s international movement to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip depends on what people of conscience around the world do right now, and people are taking action. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Italy yesterday in a one day general strike called by Italian unions in solidarity with the global sumud Flotilla. Other protests over the Flotillas captured have erupted around the world, and another smaller fleet is currently sailing to Gaza as we speak.
I’m honored to be joined today by a member of the Freedom flotilla fleet who is calling in from onboard the ship Conscience right now.
Maximillian Alvarez:
Sparking global outrage in condemnation. Israel has illegally intercepted every single vessel and captured every volunteer sailing to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla. Every single Flotilla member that we have interviewed here on the Real News in recent weeks has been detained. Israel’s extremist,national Security Minister and genocide enthusiast Imar Ben Vere,is calling for Flotilla activists to be jailed rather than deported. I think they must be kept here for a few months in an Israeli prison so that they get used to the smell of the terrorist wing. Ben Vere posted on X, the fate of every humanitarian activist captured by Israel and the fate of the people’s international movement to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip depends on what people of conscience around the world do right now and people are taking action. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Italy yesterday in a one day general strike called by Italian unions in solidarity with the global Sumud Flotilla. Other protests over the Flotillas captured have erupted around the world, and another smaller fleet is currently sailing to gaza as we speak.
Mskwaasin Agnew:
Thank you so much for having me. My name is Mskwaasin agnew. I’m Cree & Dene from Salt River First Nation, born and raised in the city of Toronto, Canada. And I’m currently aboard the Conscience with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Break the Siege on Gaza. I’m a healthcare worker and we are about four days out. We just met up with the folks from thousand Melines. so there are eight other vessels and we are slowly approaching the red zone. So we’re in the Mediterranean Sea, just over Egypt.
maximillian Alvarez:
man, that’s intense, but especially given what we’ve seen transpire this week, and I kind of just wanted to ask on that human level, like how are you and everyone on board feeling right now just sailing into the red zone just days after everyone on board the Global Sumud Flotilla was captured illegally by Israel?
Mskwaasin Agnew:
Yeah, you know what? We remain undeterred by Israel’s barbarism. We are going to continue to go forward. We know that we can’t depend on our governments to take action, to do the right thing. We are fully within our right with international law to deliver humanitarian aid. It’s Israel who is breaking international law by their illegal blockade and refusing humanitarian aid. We are a crew of healthcare workers and journalists currently. There’s healthcare workers and journalists being assassinated by the settler occupation Israel. And that’s so the world can’t know the truth. And also what’s happening in Gaza is me aside not being allowed medical equipment, not being able to care for their patients, not even having their basic needs to do so.So we know that this is something that we have to do and this is what it takes.
Maximillian Alvarez:
I want to ask if you could just say a little more about that, because we’ve interviewed…
More Ships Head to Gaza Following Israeli Capture of Global Sumud Flotilla, Sparking Calls for Direct Action
Recent actions by the Israeli military to intercept and capture ships participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to gaza, have ignited international condemnation and spurred calls for escalated activism beyond conventional methods like petitions and letter-writing. The incident has fueled demands for more direct action,including protests and disruptions,to pressure Israel to allow aid into the besieged territory. This comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate amidst the ongoing conflict.
The Global Sumud Flotilla and Israeli Response
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprised of several ships carrying aid including medical supplies and food, set sail from Turkey on April 29th, 2024, intending to break the israeli blockade of Gaza.The blockade, imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2007 following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza, severely restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory. Critics argue the blockade constitutes collective punishment of the Gazan population.
On May 1st, 2024, Israeli commandos intercepted the flotilla in international waters, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of gaza. The Israeli military stated that the ships were boarded without violence and were being towed to the port of Ashdod in Israel. They claim the flotilla was organized by groups linked to Hamas and that the aid was not being delivered through official channels,raising concerns about its intended use. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-intercepts-gaza-bound-flotilla-says-no-violence-2024-05-01/
However, organizers of the flotilla, including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, condemned the Israeli action as a violation of international law and a brutal attack on peaceful humanitarian efforts.They maintain that the aid was intended for the civilian population of Gaza, who are facing dire conditions.https://www.freedomflotilla.org/news/israel-intercepts-freedom-flotilla-ships-in-international-waters
Escalating Calls for Direct Action
The interception of the flotilla has been met with widespread protests globally. Demonstrations have taken place in cities across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, with activists demanding an end to the blockade of Gaza and calling for Israel to be held accountable for its actions.
A growing number of activists are now arguing that traditional forms of advocacy – phone calls, petitions, and letters – are insufficient to address the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This sentiment is reflected in the original statement, advocating for “taking to the streets and shutting it down.” This suggests a move towards more disruptive tactics, such as blockades of ports and arms manufacturers, and direct action aimed at disrupting business as usual.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza remains critical. The ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, displacement of civilians, and a severe shortage of essential supplies. According to the United Nations,the vast majority of Gaza’s population is facing acute food insecurity,and access to healthcare is severely limited. https://www.un.org/ocha/gaza-strip
International organizations have repeatedly called for increased humanitarian access to Gaza,but these calls have largely gone unheeded. The Israeli government maintains that it is facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza, but aid organizations argue that the amount of aid allowed in is far below what is needed to meet the growing needs of the population.
Legal Considerations and Risks
While proponents of direct action argue it is a necessary response to a dire humanitarian crisis, it’s crucial to acknowledge the legal risks involved. Participating in protests that disrupt public order or damage property can lead to arrest and prosecution. Blockading ports or interfering with commercial activity can also have legal consequences. activists considering such actions should be aware of the potential risks and seek legal counsel.
Key Takeaways:
* Flotilla Interception: Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to Gaza on May 1st, 2024.
* Escalating Activism: The incident has spurred calls for more direct action beyond traditional advocacy methods.
* Gaza Humanitarian Crisis: The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread food insecurity and limited access to healthcare.
* Legal Risks: