- by Peter Farmer
- The Guardian
- Issue #2186
At a time when public attention is focussed on Israeli and US attacks on Iran and Lebanon, Gaza is still being attacked and is still under an illegal Israeli blockade. 17 Australians have sailed as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla in an attempt to break the Israeli naval siege of the Palestinian enclave.
The flotilla this time includes activists from 51 countries, more than 3,000 people all up, sailing to bring construction materials, food and medical supplies to the besieged Gaza strip.
Activists are sailing from a number of Mediterranean ports.
Jayden Kitchener-Waters, is a Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man who was sacked by the NSW Premier’s Department for displaying pro-Palestinian slogans on his guitar before a performance at a departmental event. Kitchener-Waters said that it’s important to continue pressuring governments, decision-makers and leaders.
It’s a risky and brave decision by the 17 Australians. Members of the last cohort were held for over a week in an Israeli prison in the Negev desert, famous for human rights abuses. Activists spoke of torture, abuse and sexual assault from guards and Israeli soldiers.
Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man Ethan Floyd told Deepcut that Israel’s political goal is “always to deter future participants – to make people think that it’s far too dangerous to do.” Floyd added that however awful the flotilla members’ experience is, “it will be the five-star version of what Palestinians face every day in those prisons.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not been encouraging, with officials telling the Australian contingent to “try if you can” to get the Australian Embassy on the phone. Floyd has urged Australians to put pressure on DFAT via MPs and the Foreign Minister to get DFAT to actively offer consular services to Australian flotilla members when they are detained.
