Thousands Meet in Cairo to Oppose Aid Blockade
By Hannah Moore, Intern
Recently, social media platforms have been flooded with images of Greta Thunberg and the group of 11 journalists, activists, and politicians that boarded the Madleen with her in an effort to bring necessary aid to Gaza, including baby formula, water filtration kits, and medical supplies. This was not a solitary mission, but part of the ongoing Freedom Flotilla project. Since 2006, a total of 15 freedom flotillas have embarked on the journey to Gaza. Of these 15 flotillas, five have successfully breached the now nearly 20-year naval blockade imposed by Israel.
And, although the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s most recent humanitarian effort has been thwarted by the Israeli government — which dismissed the voyage as a social media stunt, referring to the Madleen as a “selfie yacht”, while also claiming rightful seizure of the ship because of its supposed threat to national security — support of Palestine continues to grow. While the US has continued to support Israel, world leaders are beginning to call into question whether Israel’s increasingly extreme and violent war tactics are truly justified.
As of early last week, Australia, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom have implemented a joint travel sanction against Israeli Ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have “have incited extremist violence” which has “led to the deaths of [many] Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities”. Up to this point, the world’s politicians have turned a blind eye towards the Palestinians’ plight. But, as a result of our collective action, this posture of indifference is no longer politically tenable.
However, a future hoped for is not a future promised. If we want to make lasting change, and not just headlines, we need to continue to put pressure on politicians so that their newfound concern won’t soon be forgotten. In an effort to do exactly this, last Thursday, roughly 4,000 independently-funded protesters from an astounding 80 different countries met in Cairo for the March to Gaza. While they planned to begin marching from Al-ʿArīsh on the 13th of June, in spite of organizers’ continued correspondence with authorities, which began in May, as soon as planes landed, protesters began to be arrested. Egypt’s actual response to the protest stands in stark contrast to the statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs only two days prior, which denounces Israel’s “blatant and systematic […] violations against the Palestinian people”, affirms Egypt’s “continued efforts at all levels to end the aggression on the Strip”. But, even amidst mounting violence — many protesters being beaten, punched in the face, sprayed with water, and having trash thrown at them — protesters remained peaceful, while the march’s organizers continued to negotiate with authorities, hoping that they would eventually be able to reach the Gazan Border. When, after five days of this, the situation had not improved, but worsened, and a majority of protesters had been dragged onto buses either to be detained or deported, organizers finally decided to call off the March to Gaza.
While this may seem like defeat, the activists who participated in the March to Gaza succeeded in the most vital part of their mission. Although they never reached Gaza, and never even set foot in Al-ʿArīsh, they succeeded in “shak[ing] the conscience of the world”. Gaza, a reality which many of us would rather ignore and would gladly sacrifice the Palestinians and their way of life if it means saving our own. But, this is a false dichotomy. In our active indifference, we choose not only to sacrifice the Palestinians, but to sacrifice our freedom, our integrity, and the very soul of mankind.
For 58 years, Israel has occupied Palestinian territories. For 18, it has imposed an unlawful naval blockade, cutting Palestine off from the outside world. And, for the last two, it has restricted the distribution of humanitarian aid, so that Palestinians must choose to either slowly starve or risk immediate death retrieving aid from the so-called ‘aid bubbles’, which Israel has designed to coincide with raid routes.
Confronted with not only the atrocities committed in Israel, but the complicity of the world, and of your own country, it is only natural to feel angry, overwhelmed, confused, saddened, alienated, and maybe even numbed. But, none of us are powerless. Each of us individually — and especially as a collective — has the power to effect incredible change. Whether you are in Northern Sinai or reading this blog post 6,000 miles away from it, be loud, be courageous, and know that, no matter how unanimous the opposition may seem, you will never truly be alone in choosing to stand up for what is right. While being outspoken about what you believe can draw negative attention, it can also uncover unexpected allies and inspire those to speak out that might otherwise remain silent. Resisting the status quo will never be easy, but if we don’t act now – if we don’t use our voices while we are still able – it will get much harder. This is a pivotal point in history. Right now, it is our responsibility to take action, to use our voices to speak up for those who are voiceless, and, together, to move towards a future that is brighter and altogether better than any one of us could possibly imagine.