Our 2024 Freedom Flotilla Missions
In October 2023, Israel intensified its genocidal policy toward Gaza by initiating indiscriminate bombing throughout the territory. Since that time, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, hundreds of thousands face death from starvation and dehydration, and 90% of the population has lost their homes. And the bombing continues, along with sniper attacks and destruction of the most basic health care and sanitation.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has decided on two separate missions in 2024 in response to this ongoing state terrorism, a horrific heightening of the brutal violations of the last 16 years. The first is an Emergency Humanitarian Aid Mission to deliver food, medical supplies and other goods urgently needed for survival. The second is the 2024 iteration of our established initiative “For the Children of Gaza,” which was initiated in 2023 with educational and solidarity stops throughout Northern Europe.
FFC 2024 "Break the Siege" Emergency Humanitarian Aid Mission
In the second half of April, multiple vessels will sail for Gaza, carrying 5000 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers.
This is an emergency mission as the situation in Gaza is dire, with catastrophic hunger resulting from the Israeli government’s deliberate policy to starve the Palestinian people. Time is critical as experts predict that hunger and disease could claim more lives than have been killed in the bombing.
Israel has long violated its responsibility as the occupying power to ensure the health and well-being of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Now, Israeli military and political leaders have repeatedly declared their intention to collectively punish the entire population of Gaza, including by denying them food, water and other life-sustaining aid. We therefore reject Israel’s control over the humanitarian aid that can enter Gaza and reject any Israeli inspection of our cargo and instead have it inspected by third parties.
More information on the “Break the Siege” Fact Sheet.
FFC 2024 “For the Children of Gaza” Mission
Our mission is to highlight the consequences for children of the inhumane actions taken by Israel , backed by the United States and other countries.
Approximately 50% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million are children. For years, Israel’s blockade has robbed them of safety, education, and health, as well as any prospects for a decent future. Since October 2023, the active military campaign has gone beyond this gradual destruction of hope to ferocious, unrelenting murders. Hundreds of children are killed each week.
We share part of a poem written by a Palestinian-American poet:
“Write My Name on My Leg, Mama.”
By Zeina Azzam
Write my name on my leg, Mama
Use the black permanent marker
with the ink that doesn’t bleed
if it gets wet […]
Write my name on my leg, Mama
and on the legs of my sisters and brothers.
This way we will belong together
This way we will be known as your children.
Write my name on my leg, Mama
When the bomb hits our house
When the walls crush our skulls and bones
our legs will tell our story, how
there was nowhere for us to run.
Through our maritime missions, FFC has brought international attention to their suffering and their resistance.
In 2023 the Handala toured 10 northern European ports. We challenged the media blockade and raised awareness for the need to demand an end to our governments’ complicity with Israel’s war crimes and violation of human rights.In 2024, starting in May, the Handala will once again undertake a trip through many European ports, holding press events and solidarity actions in each port. Handala’s voyage will culminate in August, when the boat and the mission participants will challenge the blockade by sailing towards Gaza.
.