Handala arrives in Denia, Spain

We had a smooth crossing from Malaga. When approaching Denia, we were surprisingly welcomed by two kayak rowing teams of female survivors of breast cancer who accompanied us to the dock.

After docking in the port of Denia, we were welcomed by the local support group, the mayor of Denia and other local politicians as well as the citizens of Denia, with music, dance and words of solidarity and support.

On the first morning in port, a press conference was held on the deck of the Handala with speakers from the organizing committee on the ground, Movimiento Por La Paz (Movement for Peace) as well as participants from the Handala. Angeles Cabria, a Spanish crew member, spoke about the mission and about the importance of the solidarity from those on the ground and the actions that the people of the Denia region can take in putting pressure on their government especially in light of the fact that Spain has recognized Palestine. Next Youssef Sammour, a Palestinian from New Zealand on board Handala, spoke about how this is not a religious conflict between Jews and Muslims, but is about a foreign oppressor versus the Indigenous people of the land and that this is a direct attack not only on the people of Palestine, but on our collective humanity. He also talked about the frustration of the lack of political will from governments to put and end to this genocide by taking measurable actions against Israel. While Spain has recognised Palestine, there hasn’t been the necessary concrete actions taken such as sanctions or the severing of diplomatic and financial ties with Israel, because it is also very profitable for those countries that have refused to implement sanctions and a two-way arms embargo against Israel. He also emphasized the need for action and that the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, do not need kind words, they need people from across the world taking action — which includes boycott, sanctions and especially a two-wau arms embargo against Israel.


The last speaker from the Handala was Ibrahim Abiat who reflected on his personal experience of being forcibly removed from Palestine after the 2002 siege on the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. He drew parallels from his own experience to what is currently happening in Gaza and how the onslaught against Palestinians is not new but has been ongoing since 1948. He also discussed his experience of being an activist in Spain and emphasized the importance and necessity of not just the boats sailing to break the siege, but the critical work of those in each community standing in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Later that same day the crew of the Handala were invited to attend a cultural event “Una vesprada amb Gaza” (An Evening with Gaza) at La Casa de Cultura de Denia where there were poetry readings, music, a talk on BDS and an audiovisual presentation and projection “Germans de Mar” (consisting of three blocks of images with sound) by its author, the photographer Xavier Mollà.

In the second half of the evening there was a screening of the documentary “Fire on the Mavi Marmara” by David Segarra and Vicent Xanzá, both of whom were in attendance and who discussed with the audience their documentary film and their experience of being participants in two previous flotillas.


Wellu Koivisto, Captain of the Handala, then joined those on stage and spoke about his own personal experience having been on a previous Flotillas and being on the Estelle in 2012 which was illegally boarded by the Israeli naval forces with all those on board being imprisoned. He spoke passionately about how children in Gaza have suffered for decades, that suffering is now compounded by the atrocities being committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza and that where our governments continue to fail to do the right thing, we will continue to sail for the Children of Gaza and for the hope and future of Palestine.

After the speakers there was an Arab-Mediterranean music performance by Salma ElHakim & Sara Dowling which incorporated the poem “If I Must Die”, the last poem of Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian writer, poet, professor and activist. The singers were dressed in thobes with traditional Palestinian tatreez design, and performed hauntingly beautiful songs filled with meaning and hope.

The audience was invited to sing the chorus of the song Yomma Mweil El-Hawa (Mother Dearest, the Ballad of Love Becomes my Ballad) which everyone did enthusiastically and with emotion. The sense of solidarity, community and connection was palpable in the theatre.

The two singers were then joined on stage by Rana Hamida, a Palestinian crew member who then performed a song followed by a rendition of Haddi Ya Bahr Haddi (Keep Calm Oh Ocean)by Abu Arab.The performance of these three singers left audience members moved to tears and filled with hope and love.

On the following morning there was a gathering at the Museu de la Mar de Dénia for children where the Handala was docked. Two members of the musical group Zoo lead a workshop for children, on the quay next to the boat. The workshop included a reading of the children’s book “I, malgrat tot, Palestina” (And despite everything, Palestine) which tells the tale of a Muslim child and a Jewish child and their friendship within the context of the occupation.

Zoo then led the children in several songs and then the children spent time making cards.

 

The cards and artwork were presented to the crew and participants of the Handala for them to take along on their journey and give to the children of Gaza. It was a very poignant event, seeing the children of Denia express their love and solidarity with the children in Gaza.

In the early evening there was a rally on the dock in front of the Museu de la Mer de Denia where a statement was read for Handala’s crew. This was followed by a speech from the Rumbo a Gaza organisation expressing their solidarity with Palestine and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

All of the Handala participants who spoke discussed the importance of boycotting and sanctions. Angeles Cabria told the crowd about the mission and objectives of the Freedom Flotilla and reminded the crowd that even once the ship sails, the work of the local people at the community level is critical to ensuring that the truth about Palestine and the Palestinian struggle is shared widely, and that pressure is maintained on local and national governments.

Lesley Wimmer, a Canadian participant on the boat, originally from South Africa, talked about the importance of boycotts and sanctions as these played a pivotal role in the defeat of apartheid in South Africa. She reminded the audience that while individually we may feel small and helpless, the truth is that we are not helpless and when we unite together then we are not small, but rather we are a powerful force and we can collectively make a difference.

Youseff Sammour spoke next and he talked about how Palestinians have been struggling for their peace and their freedom for decades and they are now both physically and mentally exhausted, and that the time for talking and sympathizing has passed. What is needed now is action. The UN, Europe, North America and the West have failed Palestine for too long and their words of sympathy are empty unless they are followed up with action. “I ask you all, to please remain resilient, please keep boycotting, please keep pushing your members of parliament and your government to not just speak, but to act.” He asked the crowd to continue to attend demonstrations and rallies so that when a Palestinian child in Gaza sees videos of our rallies, it will give them a little bit of hope and comfort knowing that the world does care, that they are not alone ,and that the people of the world stand with them.

Norka, the first mate on board the Handala, told the crowd about her family background and that she herself is a sailor and expressed her connection and solidarity with the fisher people of Palestine. The fishers of Palestine have faced a continually shrinking zone where they are able to fish and retain their livelihoods. Israel’s illegal control over how far from the shore Palestinians can fish is a serious violation of their human rights and further subjects them to poverty and starvation.

The audience was then led in several dances, including a dance of Universal and World Peace which saw the entire group moving in unison and sharing an incredibly powerful moment.

The International Orba choir led the group in a series of peace songs and it was finished off with a minute of silence for the child victims of genocide. The entire series of events on the last evening the Handala was in port in Dénia were all filled with both joy and sorrow and served as a powerful reminder for all supporters of Palestine that neither race, religion nor language need be barriers and that together we can make a difference.

We were serenaded on our departure from Dénia by a beautiful chorus of voices accompanied by the violin and as we sailed away we all felt an incredible feeling of hope and love which we will take with us as we sail onward towards Gaza.