Gaza flotilla coalition 'not deterred' by Israeli intimidation, aims to break blockade in October

Israel's assault on activists on a Gaza-bound flotilla earlier in May has "not deterred" plans for another attempt to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian enclave, with a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) telling The New Arab that activists are being prepared for potential Israeli interrogations and violence.

Huwaida Arraf, a member of the FFC steering committee, told The New Arab late on Wednesday that the team had changed its strategy moving forward, following a previous round of Israeli detention and violence against participants. 

"This time, we are looking at different ways of translating that power into sustained political pressure to end Israel’s unlawful siege of Gaza," she said.

"For this mission, we are focused on who is participating, the constituencies they represent, and the political pressure that can be generated—particularly as we approach the final leg to Gaza," she continued. 

The FFC said on Tuesday that it would again sail from ports in Europe and make stops across the continent before making an attempt to reach Gaza in October.

Vessels began setting sail earlier in June and July, with vessel Handala II sailing around Scandinavia, and vessel Kate calling in Ireland, Germany and France.

"At every port, we will carry the demand that Palestinians be free to live in dignity," FCC Steering Committee member Zohar Chamberlain Regev said.

"In October, we intend to carry that demand and the solidarity of people around the world to Gaza’s shores," she added.

Since forming in 2010, the FFC has launched a number of attempts to break Israel's siege on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.

Abduction, detention, torture

The last attempt that occurred in May saw the mass abduction and detention of hundreds of activists by Israeli authorities, many of whom recounted torture, including beatings and sexual assault, at the hands of Israeli personnel.

"Israel has repeatedly attacked civilian flotillas in international waters, and activists have been abducted and subjected to serious physical and psychological abuse, including torture and sexual assault. In 2010, Israeli forces killed 10 of our colleagues and badly injured over 50 others aboard the Mavi Marmara," Arraf explained.

However, the FFC remains undeterred, vowing to shed light on Israel's brutal war on Gaza, which has killed over 73,000 Palestinians. 

Arraf said participants on the final leg will be prepared for a range of possible scenarios, including violence, abduction, serious injury, and prolonged detention.

"They will receive legal briefings, security and nonviolence training, guidance on their rights, communications protocols, and preparation for the practical realities they may face," she said. 

"But we want to be clear about the premise: violent attack, abduction, and physical and psychological abuse of civilians participating in a lawful civilian mission are not something human rights activists should have to “prepare for.” We prepare because Israel has repeatedly violated international law without meaningful consequence and has grossly violated the rights of civilians sailing lawfully and peacefully in international waters," she added.

A video published by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detainees was roundly condemned by several nations whose citizens were held, while the interception of the flotilla in international waters was condemned as violating international law.

Edward Digilio, an engineer from the US, said that "we know that sailing toward Gaza carries serious risks".

"But silence and inaction carry a much greater cost for Palestinians and the world," Digilio said.

"This mission is an expression of shared humanity and a refusal to accept the destruction of an entire people as normal," he added.

The FFC reiterated several demands to international governments ahead of their journey to Gaza, including for the safe passage of the flotilla to Gaza, and an end to Israel's obstruction of the entry of essential aid into Gaza.

The coalition also called for states to defend freedom of navigation in the event the flotilla is again intercepted, including through threats of diplomatic action, as well as using legal and economic means to end Israel's violations against Palestinians, and holding parties accountable for the detention of the flotilla's participants.