Hanzala Ship Update
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has organized dozens of missions since 2006 against the inhumane blockade on Gaza. In the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, we saw how dangerous Israel is to world peace. With the start of the Gaza Genocide on October 7, 2023, civilians, children, and women were targeted, hospitals, factories, and all public institutions were destroyed. At the point we have reached today, civilians are being massacred in large numbers due to hunger.
As the Mavi Marmara Association, we had launched the Conscience Ship to stop this genocide and break the blockade that began on October 7. Israel's terrorism, even thousands of kilometers away from Palestinian borders, has struck a blow to the conscience of the world by targeting a civilian ship in the heart of Europe.
We, as a coalition, are not afraid of Israel’s brutality. We managed to send the Madleen Ship to the Mediterranean right after the Conscience Ship. Similarly, Israel's attack on the Madleen Ship in international waters has again demonstrated to the world the kind of terrorist mentality they carry.
Our ship, the Hanzala, set sail to break the blockade and deliver baby formula to the children in Gaza who are dying from hunger. Israeli pirates unlawfully detained 21 activists during an attack on the Hanzala Ship in international waters, pulling it into Israeli-occupied ports.
At this point, 14 of our 21 friends, who were forcibly taken to the occupied Israeli lands, have been deported back illegally. It is expected that the detention process for the remaining 8 of our friends will conclude in the coming hours.
The Hanzala Ship has been physically pulled into the Ashdod Port, where the occupying forces have completely destroyed its satellite, signal, and communication systems. They are also hiding all the evidence of the attack on the ship, in an attempt to cover up the crime they committed against humanity.
We want to send three important messages to the world from here.
Our first message is for the free people of Palestine. For almost a century, you have been enduring an occupation. In the past two years, you have been living through a genocide the world has not witnessed. You have sacrificed your land, your children, and your entire lives for the victory of the Palestinian struggle. We know that you are the freest people in the world who have never bowed to these genocidal gangs. In this struggle, we will stand by you as much as we can, and we will bring back the freedom and peace that Palestine deserves.
Our second message is for the conscientious civil people of the world. While a massive genocide is taking place in front of the world's eyes, the most important action to take is to go to the borders of Palestine. The Freedom Flotilla has never hesitated, even for a moment, to stand up against this Israeli oppression. You too should support this movement for the preparation of larger flotillas and more ships. Because we know that if we cannot stop this genocide on Palestinian soil today, tomorrow this mentality will become a threat to the peace of the whole world.
Our third message is for states and international organizations. The most important step to take against this genocide is for Israel to be isolated and recognized as an enemy in the region. There is still no problem in Israel's supply chains. If you cannot take a stance against these crimes against humanity, citing political, military, or economic reasons, then tomorrow you will have no answer to the rightful anger of your people. Stop all shipments going to Israel from your ports before it’s too late. Stop the oil shipments to Israel, stop military shipments to Israel. Do not expect us to remain silent when we are faced with Israel, which disregards all laws and agreements, just by bringing up international treaties.
The Hanzala Ship has created a butterfly effect. And we know that this effect will return as a storm of anger towards Zionism and its collaborators.
The Freedom Flotilla will continue its journey until Palestine is free!