“When governments fail, we set sail” is the mantra of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which may as well also read: “When we set sail, governments fail.”
Under International Humanitarian Law the Australian Government are committed to “allowing and facilitating full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in accordance with relevant international law.” (‘Declaration for the protection of humanitarian personnel’, Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade.)
Despite this, Australian activists were warned by the Australian Government not to join the mission to Gaza and to send aid through established channels. That would be all well and good if the aid was guaranteed to arrive. Sadly, aid is still being blocked by Zionists.
Still, with no support from the government, Sumud (meaning ‘steadfast’ in Arabic) courage and selflessness is what this group of doctors, artists, lawyers, social workers – ordinary Australians – brought with them on this humanitarian mission.
For the two and a half years that the Genocide in Gaza has flooded our screens through social media and accessible through YouTube videos and independent news channels, our government has failed to condemn the actions of the IDF directed by the genocidal state of Israel.
Not only did they fail to condemn the slaughter of over 72,000 human lives, – more than a quarter of those were babies and children – they remain complicit by providing parts for fighter jets to Israel and very possibly providing US intelligence facilities at Pine Gap, Northern Territory.
You may not need to be reminded that sadly, Gaza is now home to the highest number of child amputees.
In case you’re wondering, just because Israel’s right-hand man took centre stage by starting a war in Iran, doesn’t mean the genocide in Gaza has stopped.
Although a ceasefire was announced last October, the killing, destruction and stealing of land, homes and lives continues not only in Gaza but also in the occupied West Bank where settlers enjoy full support of police, IOF and the state, while they persistently harass, attack, steal and destroy land, people and animals.
Killing Palestinians is occurring together by settlers, Israeli military and police forces.
The genocide is ongoing and has expanded into Lebanon and Iran with more than six million currently displaced as a result of Israel’s deadly campaign.
Just this week The UN concluded that Israel has committed ‘serious violations of international humanitarian law’ and called for Israel to “end its unlawful presence in the Palestinian territory.”
Many people are simply unable to sit back and watch the horror while genocidal psychopaths continue to commit unspeakable acts of violence.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is one such group of ordinary people from around the globe doing extraordinary things.
Committed to breaking the illegal siege on Gaza by bringing food, medicine, clean water, baby formula and prosthetic limbs to Gaza, 428 activists across 50 civilian boats from 45 countries set sail.
11 Australians were among all who were illegally abducted from international waters and imprisoned for three days in Israeli gulags.
They were subjected to sexual assault, torture, tasered, forced to kneel with zip-tied hands behind their backs in stress positions. Some activists were hospitalised with broken bones and other injuries after being kicked, beaten and shot at with rubber bullets, and forensic examinations are underway.
Any one of these volunteers will tell you that this treatment is nothing compared to what the 10,000+ Palestinian prisoners suffer daily, who are also now subject to a law that was recently passed for Palestinians to be executed by hanging. Many of these prisoners are held without charge or trial.
While visiting a makeshift prison at the port in Ashdod, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video of himself on social media taunting the detained activists and relishing in their suffering.
Who responded? Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada. Following suit, Penny Wong eventually made a statement of condemnation of Ben Gvir’s arrogant and cruel behaviour and called for the release of the activists.
She did not condemn Israel for preventing lifesaving aid from reaching Gaza and there are still no sanctions on Israel.
Call Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs (it’s her job): 02 6277-7500, or email: senatorwong@aph.gov.au
Demand that the Australian Government cut ties with Israel, obey international law and stop sending parts for weapons, cancel all alliance with Israel and refuse to host Israeli diplomats.
The Jewish Council of Australia has said that Australia should go further than sanctioning Ben Gvir, and expel Israel’s Ambassador.
You may ask…’What else can I do?’
• Visit in person (bring your friends along), email and/or call your State MP Janelle Saffin (Lismore Electorate) and Federal MP Kevin Hogan and demand that they condemn the actions of Israel and move to sanction Israel immediately.
• Join the Global Sumud Flotilla. There are many roles to be filled behind the scenes as well as sailing to Gaza.
• Download the NoThanksApp – Boycott Israeli products and affiliated companies.
• Visit bdsaustralia.net.au on how to boycott, divest and sanction Israel.
• Join Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine (on Facebook and Instagram), support the disruption of the arms supply chain, attend/support fundraiser events.
• Join APAN (Australian Palestine Advocacy Network)
Thankfully, the Australian activists who were abducted are currently returning home from the Flotilla. You can donate to the chuffed campaign to support their recovery: chuffed.org/project/168853-fundraiser-flotilla