The floating convoy of 500 aid workers was sailing towards Gaza on humanitarian mission to deliver food aid and medical supplies to Palestinian civilians when their flotilla was seized. Amongst the crew was Swedish Climate Change activist and humanitarian Greta Thunberg who was placed under arrest by Israeli authorities. A video of the arrest was posted by the Israeli Authorities.
“Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” the post read. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” She was part of a convoy of about 500 aid workers that was sailing toward Gaza on a “peaceful mission” to deliver supplies to beleaguered Palestinian residents. The Global Sumud Flotilla consisted of more than 40 civilian boats, occupied by lawyers, parliamentarians and others aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza despite repeated warnings to turn away. Israeli officials ordered the flotilla vessels to disable their engines, according to social media posts by activists on board. Some activists published prerecorded videos on social media, saying that if they were watching the video, they had been captured by Israeli forces, according to The Guardian.
Thunberg was arrested and detained in an Israeli prison for several days this summer after a previous flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces.
It should be clear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet have left no stone unturned in their reconquest of Gaza. They would not let even a humanitarian flotilla pass through to the ravaged territory. The purpose of this convoy was not just to deliver aid to Gaza, it was meant to break the siege and end the genocide. It was meant to be a cause for a cease fire. The Global Samud Flotilla did succeed in that regard. To shine a spotlight on the desperation the people of Gaza feel in the face of Zionist aggression. There have been wide spread protests across the world over Thunberg’s arrest among the other aid workers and activists, as well as legal experts and parliamentarians.
This included Nelson Mandela’s grandson. The signal being sent to the Zionist regime is that enough is enough.
Demonstrators have assembled in the streets calling for a change of course as regards the conflict. The time to exert pressure on the Israelis is now.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa
Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla was a “grave offence” against “global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza”.
Ramaphosa called on Israel to immediately release South Africans and others, including liberation hero Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela.
Palestinian foreign ministry
A Palestinian foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the interception of the flotilla as a violation of international law, asserting that Israel had neither authority nor sovereignty over Palestinian “territorial waters”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro
“If this information is true, there is a new international crime by Netanyahu.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
“By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world.
“The flotilla embodies solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade.”
He said there were 23 Malaysians aboard.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
“Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the 40-vessel Sumud Gaza flotilla.
“This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.”
World leaders and their foreign relations departments have now gathered calling for the release of aide workers. The fact that even Mandela’s grandson Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela was among those arrested could lead to a souring of relations between the South African and Israeli governments. Israel may be taking a huge risk as regard the role of the activists and the flotilla. Once more a key point in the flotilla attempting to approach Gaza was to break Netanyahu’s iron siege so that a ceasefire can be called for. World leaders mentioned above must now mobilize to call for sanctions to be placed on the Israeli Zionist regime. Even Nkosi Zwelivelile would have to agree. Sanctions were instrumental in crippling the apartheid regime of South Africa. Boycotting Israeli goods amid the large-scale protests can serve as a pillar for actual change. The seizure of the flotilla and arrest of its crew must be added to the charges against Netanyahu and his psychopathic ministers.
Business as usual (turning a blind eye to the atrocities) can not continue. Even the US must a boycott over its support of the genocide. This support ranges from weapons to financial and economic aid.
ne creative way to collect and conserve water is to use a large rain water tank connected to the drainage. Rain water that is easily collected can be cleaned using specialised chemicals such as chloride. There after boiling water will take care of the last germs and viruses receding there. The shortage in water from the reservoirs can be attributed to climate change. This means more awareness can be made as regards to the harm greenhouse gases are having on the weather. Maintenance of the drainage and water pipes in the cities need to be checked and repaired daily. The government in South Africa is already doing a good job investing in educating the young concerning the harmful effects of dirty water. Cholera and E. coli should be a thing of the past if education about cleaner habits is spread.
Clean water need not be taken for granted as should be good health.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
