Flotilla still determined to challenge the Blockade.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition believes in fundamental rights for all, including Palestinians. Unfortunately, these values are not shared by many of the world’s governments. Our Break the Siege mission ships and crew in Istanbul have been prepared to sail for some time now, but we have been waiting for a required document from the Turkish Port Authority, granting us permission to depart from Istanbul. Without this document our vessels would be stopped and potentially detained if we attempt to leave port.
After weeks of discussions with the Port Authority, it is now clear to us that such permission will not be forthcoming from the Turkish government. We have been given no explanation as to why the Turkish government will not give permission for the departure when the government has been otherwise strongly supporting Palestine. Based on our past experience, we expect that it is owing to intense pressure from the United States, United Kingdom, and perhaps other NATO countries strongly aligned with Israel.
Our mission has been once again bureaucratically stymied. Our Flotilla ships have met all legal requirements for this voyage, yet we are being blocked by a political decision on the part of the Turkish government.
Israel has occupied Palestine for over 76 years, blockaded Gaza for 17 years, and for the last 10 months has been engaged in a genocidal assault on a trapped and beleaguered civilian population, bombing, killing, maiming, torturing and deliberately starving and causing infected over 2 million people. Most of our governments have been and continue to be shamefully complicit.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and our many supporters have been working to ready this mission for months, and we are all deeply disappointed that, despite its rhetoric, the Turkish government has now joined the ranks of those complicit in maintaining Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza. We continue to call on our governments to follow the clear guidance of the International Court of Justice regarding the illegality of the Israeli occupation in general and in particular the duty to facilitate the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians of Gaza.
The FFC will continue its efforts to challenge the illegal and inhumane blockade on Gaza, including efforts to have our vessels released so that we can sail. A primary goal of our mission is to raise awareness about the genocide in Gaza in our respective countries. Our boat Handala continues on its For the Children of Gaza mission, now visiting Mediterranean ports and building solidarity as it makes its way towards Gaza.
The FFC wants you to know how much we value the fact our supporters have been so patient for so long. We will continue to work tirelessly to attempt to sail but, in the meantime, we need to let everyone know that for the moment, the sailing of Break the Siege must be put on hold, indefinitely. Our respective national campaigns remain active and engaged: please watch for updates about our actions and other Palestine solidarity actions near you.