As a challenge to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, 46 pro-Palestinian activists from 17 countries sailed out of Cyprus in two small fishing boats with the shores of Gaza as their destination point. After having to wait out severe weather in Cyprus, the activists reached Gaza on Aug. 23.
Thousands of Palestinians, young and old, gathered at the harbor in Gaza to greet and welcome the activists. Partly due to the large amount of press that the voyage attracted, the Israeli government decided to allow the passage of the boats.
The boats delivered 200 hearing aids to Palestinian children.
As one British activist put it, “I know that this journey is symbolic. It represents a crack in the strong barrier represented by the siege and I call for all to take similar steps to free Gaza.”
Israel currently controls Gaza’s territorial waters, dictating what goods can come and go in typical colonial fashion.
