A group in Gothenburg actively campaigns for lifting the blockade in Gaza in Palestine, and demand for the blockade imposed by Israel to end in Gaza. You may have seen a Gothenburger distributing a pamphlet about SHIP TO GAZA, and that may say: ‘In 2020 we will sail again, but we need help!’
SHIP TO GAZA in Sweden is coalition that tries to break the blockade of Gaza! The information leaflets distributed by activists of SHIP TO GAZA say: ‘Remember – they were murdered at Mavi Marmara.’ ‘In 2020, it is 10 years since the navy Mavi Marmara, brutal activists were murdered and approx. 60 were seriously injured.’ ‘By 2020, Gaza is uninhabitable, therefore it is high time to break the inhumane blockade, the world must act and demand that Israel cancel the blockade before it is condemned for Palestinians in Gaza.’ ‘Help us, join in and break the blockade!’ ‘Gaza Uninhabitable year 2020.’
A pamphlet collected by www.gothenburg-400.com said: “Facts about the situation in Gaza – The Israeli blockade of Gaza is now in its twelfth year. Two million people live in what can be likened to a gigantic outdoor prison, without the opportunity to travel freely, educate, sport or receive the care they need. The supply of electricity has dropped to about 2 hours per day. Every other patient who seeks care in Israel or the West Bank is denied leave. It leads to death and suffering. In Gaza, cancer patients cannot receive radiation treatment, the lack of electricity means that dialysis machines and incubators do not work fully. Pain relief and a variety of other drugs are missing.”
The activists inform that fishermen are harassed by Israeli patrol. ‘Gaza used to have 4000 fishermen, now there are just under 500. Fish is an important source of protein for the children in particular. Recently, an 18-year-old fisherman was shot dead while fishing within the 6-mile limit that Israel later unilaterally determined.’
‘In principle, all water is undrinkable and it mainly affects the smallest children who get nitrates from unclean water and become ‘blue babies’ due to lack of oxygen.’
‘During 2018 at the Friday demonstrations at the border, Israeli snipers have killed 203 Palestinians, including 44 children.’
SHIP TO GAZA coalition aims to ‘lift the blockade’ on Gaza. Various UN agencies, international aid organizations, human rights groups and governments in a number of countries have repeatedly demanded that the blockade be stopped. They say, “We refuse to be passive and watch when the situation gets worse! People who happen to live in Gaza are also people with rights, as individuals and as people. That’s why we sail again! Be with you too, by getting involved, becoming a member of Ship to Gaza, or sending a donation, any contributions needed. More than half of the West Bank becomes completely Israel. Jerusalem becomes completely Israel.”
GAZA FLOTILL RAID & Mavi Marmara: On 31 May 2010 in the international waters in the Mediterranean Sea a military operation was conducted by Israel against 6 civilian ships called “Gaza Freedom Flotilla’ organised by Free Gaza Movement. In this incident, 9 activists were killed on one ship during the raid and ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously. Isreali naval commandos had to encounter resistance from the ship MV Mavi Marmara from about 40 of the 590 passengers and in this tussle 9activists were killed including 8 Turkish nationals and one Turkish American. On 23 May 2014, a tenth member of the flotilla died in hospital after being in a coma for four years. According to a UN report, all activist deaths were caused by gunshots, and the circumstances of the killing of at least six of the passengers were in a manner consistent with an extra-legal, arbitrary and summary execution. The five other ships in the flotilla employed passive resistance which was suppressed without major incident. The UN report said that several of the passengers were injured and the leg of one was fractured. The ships were towed to Israel. Some were deported immediately, while about 600 were detained after they refused to sign deportation orders; a few of them were slated for prosecution. After international criticism, all of the detained activists were also deported.
More information about SHIP TO GAZA:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/281231142366/
https://www.facebook.com/ShiptoGazaSweden/
