Hundreds of Marseillais gathered on the Vieux-Port, this Monday, May 18 in the late afternoon, to show their support for a new humanitarian and political flotilla attempting to sail towards Gaza. As the Israeli army intercepts some of the 52 boats launched from Barcelona on April 12 to “break the blockade” of the Palestinian enclave off the coast of Cyprus, the protesters wanted to denounce “an act of piracy in European waters” and express their “anger” at the “media and political silence” surrounding these events.
“In the face of a peaceful convoy, Israel sends armed and hooded soldiers to kidnap our comrades,” stated Ghazali, regional ambassador of Global Sumud, the organization coordinating the flotilla. “Today, at least 22 ships have been arrested by Israel, despite all international laws. Among the 487 people heading to Gaza, there are 41 French nationals that our government chooses to ignore. We gather tonight to voice solidarity and finally demand action from European leaders who continue to claim to stand for human rights.”
Faced with “government inaction,” these gatherings are deemed “a responsibility,” stated a member of France Palestine Solidarity. “There are hundreds of us tonight but we should be tens of thousands on the streets,” she urged on the microphone. “Because in the face of Israel’s state impunity persisting in colonization in the West Bank and its attacks in Lebanon, citizens’ voices have become the only means of alert and pressure.”
As a reminder, after months of preparation in l’Estaque, part of the first flotilla mission left Marseille on April 4 before also being intercepted by the Israeli army. “We will continue despite these setbacks. We will come back regardless of the outcomes of these actions,” reaffirmed Pascal Andre, a doctor on land for Global Sumud. “For the lifting of the blockade and the simple respect of international law. To denounce economic cooperation agreements between Europe and Israel at the expense of human rights. And to continue to demand the right of return and self-determination for the Palestinian people.”
