NEWS UPDATE - Sat. April 27th:
Hello all, I am heartbroken to pass on the news that our flotilla will be unable to sail for Gaza at this time due to Israel’s intense pressure to prevent the breaking of the siege on Gaza and the delivery of the flotilla’s 5500 tons of desperately needed aid. We are returning to our home countries while the Freedom Flotilla Coalition works to find another way for us to sail.
Below is today’s statement by the coalition, and yesterday’s statement of support from UN experts who had hoped to see the flotilla depart for Gaza.
Love Cassandra Dixon Chrepairs@gmail.com
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Press Conference: Under Israeli Pressure, Guinea Bissau Moves to Withdraw Flotilla Flags
/ Coalition statements, Featured, News, Press releases / By alex
For immediate release, Saturday April 27
On Thursday afternoon, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was contacted by the Guinea Bissau International Ships Registry, requesting an inspection of our lead ship – Akdenez. This was a highly unusual request as our ship had already passed all required inspections; nevertheless, we agreed. The inspector arrived on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, before the inspection was completed, the Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry (GBISR), in a blatantly political move, informed the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that it had withdrawn the Guinea Bissau flag from two of the Freedom Flotilla’s ships, one of which is our cargo ship, already loaded with over 5000 tons of life-saving aid for the Palestinians of Gaza.
In its communication informing us of this cancellation, the GBISR made specific reference to our planned mission to Gaza. It also made several extraordinary requests for information, including confirmation of the ships’ destination, any potential additional port calls, and the discharge port for humanitarian aid and estimated arrival dates and times. It further demanded a formal letter explicitly approving the transportation of humanitarian aid and a complete manifest of the cargo.
Again, this is a highly unusual move from a flagging authority. Normally, national flagging authorities concern themselves only with safety and related standards on vessels bearing their flag, and are not concerned with the destination, route, cargo manifests or the nature of a specific voyage. Just like when you register your car, the authorities don’t require you to detail to them where you are going.
Sadly, Guinea-Bissau has allowed itself to become complicit in Israel’s deliberate starvation, illegal siege and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is showing the world the extent to which it will go to deny Palestinians the aid they need to stay alive, in direct contravention of International Humanitarian Law, UN Security Council resolutions, and two orders of the International Court of Justice. Israel is only allowed to get away with this because we have an international order where law does not apply equally, where people are not valued the same, where might equals right.
The US has hijacked international law and is violating its own laws in order to protect Israel at every turn. A leaked USAID memo states that famine in Gaza is inevitable, changes could reduce but not stop widespread civilian deaths. It also states that USAID assesses the government of Israel does not currently demonstrate necessary compliance with US law required to receive U.S. military aid. Nevertheless, last week, the US Congress passed and Biden signed a $26 billion aid package for Israel. It is this kind of naked impunity, over decades, that has brought us to this point where Israel can carry out a genocide, that includes a public declaration by Israel’s leaders that it is going to deliberately starve children, and not only not face consequences, but also involve a majority of world governments in its crimes. While our governments claim to care about Palestinian lives, but are complying and even enforcing a situation where a state that has been found to be plausibly committing a genocide, is allowed to control what, if any, life-saving aid gets to the people trying to stay alive.
Yesterday, the UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food, on the Right to Housing, and on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories issued a statement stating that civil society initiatives like the Freedom Flotilla are important precisely because governments are not complying with their obligations under international law and many of these governments are even complicit in Israel’s siege and genocide. The statement affirmed that ours was a legitimate challenge to Israel’s control over the delivery of aid to Gaza and it demanded safe passage for our flotilla.
However, without a flag, we cannot sail. But, this is not the end. Israel cannot and will not crush our resolve to break its illegal siege and reach the people of Gaza. The people of Gaza and all of Palestine remain steadfast under the most horrific, unimaginable conditions. We take strength from their incredible, inexplicable ability to maintain their humanity, dignity and hope when the world has given them no reason to do so.
It is our responsibility to keep that hope alive. We will sail.
link to all of the Freedom Flotilla’s social media https://linktr.ee/freedomflotillacoalition
UN experts demand safe passage for Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian mission to Gaza
GENEVA (26 April 2024) – UN experts today demanded safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, whose ships departing Türkiye will be carrying 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers to the besieged Gaza Strip. “As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” the experts said.
They issued the following statement:
“Two hundred days into Israel’s siege and genocidal violence, including an unprecedented starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the situation continues to deteriorate. After a 17-year blockade against Gaza, Israel has now created a famine by cutting off the regular supply of water, food and critical goods into Gaza, destroying livelihoods, the food system and civilian infrastructure. Failing to comply with its humanitarian obligations as the occupying power, Israel is also restricting humanitarian aid, intentionally bombarding humanitarian convoys, and targeting both aid workers and civilians seeking aid.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a civilian peaceful initiative whose ships departing Türkiye will be carrying 5,500 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers to the besieged Gaza Strip. Comprising a diverse coalition of human rights activists, including lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, parliamentarians and politicians, the convoy aims to deliver life-saving aid directly to the besieged people of Gaza, legitimately challenging Israel's control over the entry of humanitarian assistance. Besieging a civilian population is unlawful.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s demands include an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and an end to the illegal blockade of the Gaza strip. The convoy is scheduled for imminent departure.
The Flotilla is a material manifestation of international support for the ongoing Palestinian struggle for freedom and self-determination, and the internationally recognised right to receive humanitarian aid without interference or hindrance. Support for the Palestinian people’s human rights is acute under the current conditions of genocide*,* domicide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. We are witnessing purposefully induced famine amid the wholesale destruction of homes and hospitals. Disease is quickly spreading because millions of people were forced out of their homes, targeted, maimed or wounded, and left unable to be treated in highly unsanitary conditions, and are now living in makeshift and overcrowded shelters. The level of trauma and distress will impact Palestinians for generations.
Countries are not complying with their obligations to end Israel’s genocide and starvation in Gaza. In fact, many countries continue supporting Israel with weapons, funds and political support: this may make them complicit in Israel's genocide and starvation. This is why civilians, like the Freedom Flotilla participants, are increasingly showing their solidarity by protecting and fulfilling Palestinian human rights through direct action. They express the will of a global movement, especially sustained by youth worldwide, to bring the horrors in Gaza to an end – in the interest of both Palestinians and Israelis.
The Freedom Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law. As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, it is essential for Israel to adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
In 2010, Israel intercepted and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s civilian ships in international waters, killing 10 passengers and wounding many others. At the time, the Freedom Flotilla had attempted to break the Israeli blockade by delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
We are especially concerned for the safety of the participants of the Freedom Flotilla in light of Israel’s repeated targeted attacks against UN and civilian humanitarian missions. Israel should remember that the world is closely watching and refrain from any hostility against the participants of the flotilla.”
*The experts: The experts: Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967; and Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/un-experts-demand-safe-passage-freedom-flotillas-humanitarian-mission-gazaThe Flotilla is set to Sail April 26th!! (update from 4/24/24)
We have completed all technical and crewing requirements in order to launch the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza on Friday April 26, 2024.
Our final group of participants are undergoing the required nonviolent direct-action training today. Our Flotilla will carry over 5000 tons of life-saving aid and hundreds of human rights observers. We are working diligently to move our boats to a port in Istanbul where the paperwork procedures for hundreds of participants can be completed, to allow for boarding beginning on Friday morning.
“The Freedom Flotilla has the support of millions around the world who are outraged at the failure of our governments to protect the Palestinians people from Israel’s genocidal actions, including the deliberate starvation of over two million people,” said Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) Steering Committee member Zohar Chamberlain-Regev.
Huwaida Arraf, U.S. human rights attorney and FFC Steering Committee member added, “Governments must refuse to collaborate in maintaining Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza by obstructing the Flotilla in any way. We call on the governments of the 40 countries represented on this Freedom Flotilla to uphold their obligations under international law and demand that Israel guarantee the flotilla safe passage to Gaza.”
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ACTION ALERT from Monday, April 22nd
The 2024 Freedom Flotilla is about to get underway to Gaza. MRSCP member Cassandra Dixon will be on board.
In the first of two missions planned for 2024, multiple vessels will sail for Gaza, carrying 5000 tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers. In this video message retired Col. Ann Wright introduces and explains the aims of the Flotilla.
You can see updates and follow the progress of the boats at the Flotilla's website at https://freedomflotilla.org/. Links to all of the Flotilla's social media platforms and resources are here.
Israel has vowed that the Flotilla will never reach Gaza. In light of what happened to earlier flotillas, most infamously the Mavi Marmara, it is critical that our government hear from us demanding that everyone including the American citizens on board be protected and that the Flotilla be allowed to deliver its aid.
Please tell U.S. lawmakers to protect this nonviolent emergency mission by signing this joint petition from American Muslims for Palestine, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.
Then please call Senators Baldwin and Johnson, and Cassandra's Rep. Mark Pocan, and insist that they do all they can to protect the people sailing to Gaza and allow this emergency aid to be delivered.
Also when you call, ask Senators Baldwin and Johnson to oppose the massive military aid bill that the House approved on Saturday which the Senate is expected to vote on by Tuesday. (Rep. Pocan voted against the Israel portion of this aid, along with Rep. Tom Tiffany. All other Wisconsin representatives including Rep. Gwen Moore voted FOR the aid to Israel.)
Please call the DC offices first.
Rep. Mark Pocan
DC Office (202) 225-2906
Madison Office (608) 258-9800
Send a message using his contact form here.
Senator Tammy Baldwin
DC Office (202) 224-5653
Madison Office (608) 264-5338
Milwaukee Office (414) 297-4451
Other offices here
Send a message using her contact form here
Senator Ron Johnson
DC Office (202) 224-5323
Madison Office: (608) 240-9629
Other offices here
Send a message using his contact form here
From Madison-Rafah Sister-City Proj <rafahsistercity@yahoo.com>
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Update
April 19th - by Cassandra Dixon, Organizer
Hello and thank you!!
We are in Istanbul, hoping to sail to Gaza on the 24th. I am beyond grateful to all of you for the chance to be here with people from more than 30 countries, and boats containing 5500 tons of aid, including 8 ambulances, food, anesthesia, medicines, maternity kits and more.
Here is yesterday’s press release from the flotilla, and links for video of the press conference, and where to follow the flotilla on Instagram. Thank you !! Cassandra
Lots of new videos about the flotilla on our GazaFreedomFlotilla instagram
including our International press conference this morning on board our ship:
Press Release for April 19, 2024 "International participants arrive to sail with Freedom Flotilla to Break the Siege"
More News About the Flotilla:
Why the Flotilla? Video with Ismail of Mavi Marmara Association with view of the ships
Metro TV Indonesia with video of IHH warehouse operations and loading humanitarian supplies in trucks to go to the cargo ship in Merkez, Turkey. (8 minute video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IgsPoZf6Ic
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BACKGROUND!
From Cassandra, earlier this month:
Much to my amazement, I’ve been accepted to go along on the Freedom Flotilla’s emergency humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza. I’ll be leaving Madison on April 11, and would be grateful for your help.
The UN Food agency has said that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Virtually everyone in Gaza is struggling to get enough food, and around 677,000 people — nearly a third of the population of 2.3 million — are experiencing the highest level of catastrophic hunger. If Israel broadens its offensive to the city of Rafah, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed, the fighting could drive over a million people — half of Gaza’s population — into catastrophic hunger.
The maritime corridor and floating pier to be built by the U.S. are dangerous distractions from the fact that Israel continues to obstruct the entry of aid through the land borders, prevent the distribution of lifesaving aid, particularly in the north of Gaza, and prohibit the entry of anesthesia, maternity kits, water purification systems and more. The maritime corridor will be controlled by Israel, which will decide what type and how much aid is allowed to enter Gaza.
In response, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition will sail a large cargo ship carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian aid, as well as passenger ships, carrying civilians from around the world—journalists, doctors, aid workers, and more—straight to Gaza. While we will carry much needed aid, the flotilla will also serve to directly challenge Israel’s naval blockade and siege of Gaza, and it’s message and mission is one of solidarity and support for Palestinian freedom by breaking the illegal Israeli siege of Gaza.
At this critical time—when the International Court of Justice has found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide, humanitarian aid organizations report that Israel continues to obstruct efforts to get aid into Gaza, and our own government is failing so miserably to prevent the intentional starvation of thousands of Palestinian children, it is beyond time for civil society to step in and address this humanitarian crisis. I have every hope that a way will open and these thousands of tons of humanitarian aid will reach the people who so desperately need it.
I’m deeply grateful for your support, and for all our continuing efforts to push our administration to restore UNRWA funding, end military funding to Israel, and demand a permanent ceasefire and the opening of border crossings so that aid that is waiting just 10 minutes away can begin to reach those who are starving.
If you would like to donate towards the cost of this travel, you can mail a check to me at Cassandra Dixon, 3579 County Road G, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, or donate via GoFUndMe by clicking the button below, or at https://tinyurl.com/cassandratogaza, or Venmo me @Cassandra-Dixon-11 . Anything raised above the costs of travel will go to the larger costs of funding the flotilla.Thanks and love,Cassandra
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