NO BLOCKADE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Since 2006, Gaza has been under Israeli embargo because of the “unpleasant” outcome of the democratic elections in Palestine, people of Gaza are left to die gradually. Palestinians are deprived of even their most basic human needs. More than 4.000 people are left homeless and 60% of the population in embargo-stricken Gaza is trying to survive by an income below the line of poverty thanks to the inhumane embargo. Former residents of around 4.000 buildings, destroyed by Israeli attacks last year, now live in either with their relatives or in tents because construction materials are not let through the borders. Again, a huge number of people do not have access to essential medicines due to the restraint on the importing of medical supplies. Hundreds of people, in need of medical treatment, either lose their lives or to become permanently incapacitated because of the embargo.

We arrived in Gaza in the beginning of this year with participation and support from the international public to our “Viva Palestina” convoy in order to break the embargo by land. We now plan to realize a similar campaign this time by the sea. While counting down to the departure of tons of aid items collected for Palestine via non-governmental efforts throughout the world, volunteers around the world work intensively to make this international solidarity campaign successful.

The flotilla, which will carry medical supplies and construction materials in 9 ships together with more than 600 participants including parliamentarians from more than 50 countries, artists, intellectuals, activists, doctors…etc, will be delivering more than 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza in May thanks to those hundreds of people with a conscience.

Embargo is a crime against humanity, its implementation is not acceptable on any community. We, as people of today, are responsible to the mankind, to next generations and to children of Palestine, we must remove the embargo. We hope, by this flotilla campaign, “Palestine Our Route, Humanitarian Aid Our Load” , the embargo will be removed and the humanitarian aid we deliver brings relief to people of Palestine. On behalf of the flotilla which represents the common conscience of the peoples of the world, I invite you to support this campaign to break the embargo.