Nazi Gulag: The role of activism in breaking Gaza siege - Remember Palestine

The Swedish vessel "Estelle" has now set course to Gaza with a cargo of 41 tons of cement, as part of the campaign to help Palestinians repair damages caused by the war with Israel. The initiative is part of the Ship to Gaza campaign and the freedom Flotilla. Their first attempt to break the blockade was in 2011 when they prepared to send the boat" Julliano" however, a sabotage prevented it's sail. There have been reports of Israel pressure to stop Estelle from leaving a port in Italy and in Greece there were attempts to bar the way of the vessel.


Meanwhile, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor has sent a letter calling on the United Nations to stop the Estelle from reaching her destination. Activists on board wonder if Israel has decided to cede control over Palestinian territorial waters to the UN, and if that is the case that would actually be a step forward. Ship to Gaza Sweden assumes that that UN will not take over the implementation of this policy, by itself preventing a peaceful vessel from delivering humanitarian supplies.

Ship to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla groups have never opposed lawful inspections of cargo and vessel by representatives of the UN, as well as by national authorities in the ports and waters we have passed through. As the vessel is expected to arrive during the weekend the programme will focus on either the success of their voyage to the Gaza's coast or a new violation of human rights by the Israeli government against Palestinians and international activists. Source