Statement From GPHRC on the Freedom Flotilla
Freedom Flotilla getting ready to break the illegal blockade, and deliver 5,500 Tonnes of Humanitarian aid to Gaza follow on Telegram. https://t.me/ffc_official_channel
GPHRC Member on her way to join the Freedom Flotilla in Turkey
International Civilian Aid Flotilla to Break the Siege of Gaza
/ Featured, News, Press releases / By zohar
Media Release
April 4, 2024
The international Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) will sail in mid April with multiple vessels, carrying 5500 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers to challenge the ongoing illegal Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. This is an emergency mission as the situation in Gaza is dire, with famine setting in in northern Gaza, and catastrophic hunger present throughout the Gaza Strip as the result of a deliberate policy by the Israeli government to starve the Palestinian people. Time is critical as experts predict that hunger and disease could claim more lives than have been killed in the bombing.
Getting humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza is urgent, but it is not sufficient. We must end Israel’s unlawful, deadly blockade as well as Israel’s overall control of Gaza. Allowing Israel to control what and how much humanitarian aid can get to Palestinians in Gaza is like letting the fox manage the henhouse. And yet, this is what the international community of states is allowing by refusing to sanction Israel and defy its genocidal policies in order to ensure that enough aid reaches the trapped, beleaguered and bombarded civilian population.
The Cyprus maritime corridor, the U.S. floating pier project, and symbolic air drops of food are all distractions from the fact that these methods of aid delivery are insufficient, and still leave Israel in control of what aid can get to the Palestinian people, all while Israel actively prevents thousands of aid trucks from entering Gaza through the land crossings.
On January 26 the International Court of Justice ruled that, ‘the State of Israel remains bound to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.’ On March 28, the ICJ ordered additional preliminary measures, which included requiring the Israeli forces to stop “preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance” to Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has long violated its responsibility as occupying power to ensure the health and wellbeing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Now, it is engaging in full scale genocidal conduct in Gaza and using starvation as a weapon of war. Israeli military and political leaders have repeatedly declared their intention to collectively punish the entire population of Gaza, including by denying them food, water and other life-sustaining aid. We therefore reject Israel’s control over the humanitarian aid that can enter Gaza and reject any Israeli inspection of our cargo.For everyone’s safety and to ensure aid is delivered to those who need it, the FFC is bringing hundreds of international humanitarian observers, from many countries and different backgrounds.
“The International Court of Justice’s preliminary measures ordered against Israel are very clear” comments Ismail Moola of South Africa’s Palestine Solidarity Alliance, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. “The court’s ruling requires the whole world to play their part to stop the genocide unfolding in Gaza, including unobstructed access to vital aid. While our governments fail to lead in these urgently required humanitarian responses, people of conscience and our grassroots organizations must act to take leadership. When governments fail, we sail!”
The FFC is a non-partisan international coalition of campaigns who stand for freedom and human rights. We have sailed since 2010 with the goal of breaking the blockade of Gaza, in solidarity with Palestinians cries for freedom and equality. Our non-violent direct action missions support the dignity and humanity of Palestinians, working with civil society partners, rather than any party, faction or government.
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Freedom Flotilla media spokespeople
The Freedom Flotilla is sailing again! #ForTheChildrenOfGaza
One of our members from GPHRC will be on Handala sailing from Laggan Lock sailing around Europe promoting next years sailing to Gaza mission
About Us
GPHRC was formed in 2003 after visiting the West Bank. Viewing the conditions and speaking with people in Aida and other refugee camps, we were shocked to witness the poverty and injustice inflicted upon Palestinian people by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
We resolved to fund a young girl from Aida Camp whose dream was to become a nurse, but due to the Occupation believed it could only remain so. Four years later, she proudly graduated, the first of GPHRC’s sponsored students.
At another refugee camp Balata , we heard about the sense of isolation people felt from the wider world, particularly as the IOF sealed-off the entry points to their camp while conducting military operations. They asked if we could supply digital cameras to photograph, film and record Israeli operations, placing them on the internet for all the world to see. It was their resilient way of fighting back with words and pictures, while teaching their children that there are many inventive and powerful ways of resisting the Occupation.
Our 3 aims of the Campaign are:-
- To highlight what the Israeli Occupation Forces are doing to the Palestinian people.
- To fundraise for the Palestinian people
- To actually get people over to the Refugee Camps and live and work with the people in them
Our Campaign now funds 8 students in various Refugee Camps throughout the West Bank. We pay all their costs through University.
We also fund 7 children’s groups in several Refugee Camps.
Also lately we have been funding people who need operations and cannot afford them.
ONE HUNDRED PER CENT of all monies collected with our Campaign goes back to the above. No money comes out for any reason whatsoever.
We also visit Palestine 3 or 4 times a year visiting the people we fund and also work with International Solidarity Movement in Palestine. Palestinian led group and activists from around the world
We know every person we fund personally and can vouch for all monies going over to the Refugee Camps
