This Sunday the Global Summud Flotilla From different ports on the way to Gaza, in a new attempt to break the Israeli blockade and to provide humanitarian assistance. Just like with an earlier attempt, with the Freedom Flotilla, activist Greta Thunberg is also sailing again.
The difference with this action and earlier ‘flotillas’: this time there is a whole fleet, instead of a single ship. A delegation of around twenty Dutch peace activists is joining us. The participants depart from different ports, including from Spain and Tunisia. According to the organization, which does not yet share the exact size of the fleet, it concerns ‘dozens’ boats.
Many of the people on board took part in the international March to Gaza. The plan was to march from Egypt to Gaza in June this year, including 110 Dutch people. That mission stranded: many demonstrators did not pass Cairo, none of them reached Gaza. Now some of them try again, through the water.
The boat trip is not without risk. With an earlier, similar mission, the ship was attacked by a drone, after which the flame caught. Another ship that set course for Gaza this year was intercepted by Israel and the people on board – including Greta Thunberg – were fixed.
‘Summud’, the name of this operation, is Arabic for persevering, persevering. Four activists explain why they participate in the latest attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
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Meryem Belhaj.
Meryem Belhaj (30)
Exciting? Healthy tension, yes. Fear? No, not so much. There are risks, Meryem Belhaj is aware of that. The previous Flotilla was destroyed by an Israeli drone with sour, the people on board were fixed. And then there was the Scheepskonvooi for Gaza in 2010, in which nine Turkish activists were killed by Israel.
“But my approach is: my life is no more than that of someone else. Palestinians always run the risk of being killed – they are born with that risk. I have the privilege of a Dutch passport, I see it as my duty to use it for people in need.”
NRC speaks to her on Thursday evening, at that time she is still at the continuous Wake for Gaza at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. “I’m going to go home like that, then pack and then to Schiphol.” From there she flies to the country of departure (part of the departure countries keeps the organization secret), to follow safety training sessions during the weekend and then sail. Final destination Gaza.
What do the activists learn during those training courses? “The most important thing is that this is a peace mission – and therefore that we remain non -violent. What do you do if there is a soldier opposite you, how do you deal with stress reactions? But also: what are your rights?”
Belhaj, who is a psychologist in addition to her activism, started demonstrating “for all minorities” thirteen years ago. In recent years, her attention has mainly been to Palestine. “We see a genocide happening, our efforts must now focus on. Since 1948 there are innocent people, now it is impossible to close the eyes to this.”
She was “very much to do something, instead of watching.” “After demonstrating this is a logical next step.” Her parents are worried, but support her. “They know how involved I am.”
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Osman Tastan.
Osman Tastan (62)
Normally Osman Tastan has “a very calm character.” “I don’t really interfere with fierce things.” And now he is boarding a ship to Gaza this Sunday, to break the Israeli blockade. Pretty intense. “It started after October 7, 2023. Before that I was already busy with the Palestinian case, but less active. There are always two sides to a story, I thought. But that is no longer possible to sustain: Israel commits genocide.”
“I think it is my duty as a person to help people whose people who are being killed, to help with everything that lies within my power. If governments fail, the population must mobilize.”
That does not mean that he did not hesitate for a moment when there was a chance of sailing by. He has three children, thirties, and four grandchildren. His children find it scary, but also find that injustice must be fought and his pride that PA is going to do that. The youngest grandchildren (1, 2 and 8 years old) don’t understand it so well, the oldest of 10 better. It was sad. “Because grandfather leaves for a long time, but also because grandpa may not return.”
Because there is that risk, he knows. “I don’t think the chance is very high, but it is a risk that you have to accept before you start something like that.” That was fairly simple for him, he says. “I am a religious Muslim and believe in fate. In the end we all die. Then I prefer while I fight for my ideals and against injustice – isn’t that much more meaningful than in a different way?”
Tastan has not yet set foot on board and is already experiencing the consequences of his choice: he was fired on Monday. “26,000 people signed up to sail along, the chance that I was chosen was small. That is why I had not said anything to my employer. Last Saturday I heard that I could go, Sunday I immediately informed my employer and I was fired on Monday. They could not appreciate that I would just be away for a few weeks.”
It is worth it, says Tastan, who worked at the software company for fifteen years. “My experience there was: in emergency situations we can always arrange something. I thought this was an emergency situation – apparently not my work.”
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Cian Bramwell.
Cian Bramwell (21)
Cian Bramwell’s environment is not behind them (Bramwell uses the pronouns them/their). That is quite difficult. “I struggled with it, yes.” Their loved ones find the risk that they will take “despite the urgency they feel” unacceptable. But, says Bramwell: “It remains my choice. Former minister Caspar Veldkamp did nothing, Prime Minister Dick Schoof does nothing, world leaders don’t do anything, so I do something. After the frustration and powerlessness of two years of demonstrating without being listened to, no other choice remains.”
Bramwell is ‘imbued’ of the realization that there is a good chance that the Israeli army will pick up the activists. Everyone, by the way. Bramwell has been in Spain since Friday, from which them leaves, together with others who take the same ship. “The atmosphere is good, there is tension, but above all a lot of energy. Everyone is grateful that we get the chance to be part of this.
“The risk that I walk is minor discomfort compared to the suffering that the Palestinians experience every day: live under occupation, house evictions, displacement and genocide. If you think about it that way, puts things in perspective.”
And should the fleet reach Gaza, without being intercepted by Israel, “realize how much that would mean,” says Bramwell. The ships have humanitarian aid on board: food, medicines, but also crutches for “all the people whose legs have blown off”. But that is not a lot, because “we are not on container ships.” But once the blockade is broken, Bramwell hopes, larger ships with more help can also reach the port.
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Roos Ykema.
Roos Ykema (30)
It’s very simple, says Roos Ykema: “People in Gaza have nothing to eat and not health care. So we are going to bring food and medicines. Quite normal, right?”
That which brings the fleet to Gaza is only “a drop on a glowing plate,” but then the route is free. “A route is needed that aid organizations can use independently of Israel to provide help.”
Ykema also felt frustrated for a long time. “I have been with countless demonstrations, drawing petitions, boycott products from Israel. But that all feels as void as a genocide continues in the meantime.” She used to work a lot in refugee camps as a social worker. “I realize the realization that the world just pretty well fucked-up Is if you don’t have a European passport. That your life is just worth less. ” That is why she started Migrate Foundation, of which she is director.
As a care provider, the work is quite unambiguous. When it rains, bring rain gear. If people are sick, you bring medicines. “That is a logical boost. I think it is inherently human to want to help someone else. How bizarre is it that we see that everywhere in society, but not with our world leaders when it comes to Palestinians?” The fact that Russia is being sanctioned hard by Europe, but Israel is hardly any sanctions, according to Ykema, “shows” the hypocrisy of our leaders. Nice talks about human rights and freedom apparently do not apply to everyone. “
Ykema did feel certain fears when she decided to participate, but still wanted to do it despite the doubts. “I am looking forward to possibly being in prison. I understand that it usually goes for three days. That will be very nasty days, I think, but I have decided for myself that I can handle that.”
Her parents are also worried. “But when I called them to tell this, they were not surprised. We know we can’t stop you, they said.”
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