Three Australians who were ready to risk everything to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza will need to wait a few more days,after their flotilla launch hit a snag on Friday.
Daniel Coward and Surya McEwen,both from NSW,and Helen O’Sullivan,from Queensland,have been in Istanbul,Turkey,all week preparing for the high-risk journey.
They are part of a group of about 200 activists from some 30 countries who were about to board three vessels that aim to break the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israel since Hamas came to power in 2007.
Nelson Mandela’s grandson,Mandla Mandela,who is an MP in South Africa,is also among the activists.
He said he was “excited” to be “breaking the siege” to help Palestinians in need.
Organisers of the Freedom Flotilla say they had all their paperwork done,had passed all inspection and were ready to sail tomorrow,but have been delayed by an Israeli request to Guinea-Bissau to withdraw its flag from their lead ship.
In a statement on Telegram,the organisers said,“this is another example of Israel obstructing the delivery of life-saving aid to the people in Gaza who face a deliberately created famine.”
“How many more children will die of malnutrition and dehydration because of this delay and an ongoing siege,which must be broken?”
They added they had overcome “these kinds of tactics” in the past and would persevere.
“We expect his to be no more than a few days’ delay.”
Last weekend,a DFAT spokesperson urged those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through established channels.
“Previous attempts to break the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza have resulted in injury,death,arrest and the deportation of foreigners,We urge Australians not to try to break the naval blockade,” the spokesperson said.
with Kate Geraghty,Megan Gorrey,Mary Ward