The Viva Palestina humanitarian aid flotilla convoy is a global lifeline to the besieged Palestinian people living in Gaza. They made headlines around the world in an earlier attempt to break the siege when Israeli forces raided and seized the Gaza-bound ships in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Nine activists were killed and dozens were injured aboard the Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010. Despite this tragic loss of life, the new freedom land and sea convoy called Lifeline 5 has filled hulls, like her predecessors with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and construction materials. It is scheduled to arrive in Gaza on Oct.10. The supplies are donations from the generosity of thousands of people around the world.
“Everyone who has a part in these aid convoys is sick of providing money to non-profits who claim to get money to aid Palestinians in need.” Sara Jouhari, Viva Palestina Activist said.
Sara Jouhari is a former graduate from Blue Valley North. She now studies at KU for a degree in Journalism. Sara was also apart of the Viva Palestina Convoy back in 2009.
“We met with Palestinians who were injured during the 22-day incursion last year who still haven’t been treated properly for their injuries due to lack of medical aid. These families live on less than a few dollars a day, and that’s on a good day.” Jouhari said.
During these attempts to break the siege, a number of interesting things were discovered that had been floating in plain site. The legality of the attack prompted a lot of digging for facts and scouring through maritime law in and around international waters. Gaza it seems, is sitting on 26 billion dollars of natural gas and oil. This causes many to raise a brow, is the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people being plundered or is this just another ethnic cleansing? What ever the case may be it bears a direct relation to the control and ownership of a strategic offshore gas reserve.
“I think people need to recognize that the information they receive from corporate media is not only insufficient, but misleading. All of the stories in the alternative media painted the same picture when it came to Israel’s attack of our flotilla or to the massacre in Gaza that left more than 1,400 dead and more than 5,000 wounded nearly two years ago because the information was gathered from eye-witness reports and critical analysis of the political situation and relevant historical and military past of the Israeli forces.” Fatima Mohammadi, a Pro-Palestinian Activist said.
Fatima Mohammadi is a lawyer from Chicago as well as a former Viva Palestina Activist and soon-to-be a Lifeline 5 participant. She is currently in Saudi Arabia awaiting the departure of the convoy.
The final deception is Israel’s monologue over a two state agreement. If Palestine gained sovereignty then its coastline is entitled under international law to take certain limited steps to protect its own interests. The alternative is a grassroots campaign such as Lifeline 5, willing to persevere against the tyranny in its unprecedented effort to bring the world back to a moral state of mind
“Corporate mainstream media paints an almost exactly opposite picture in every instant because it relies on the opinions of people in positions of power who stand to benefit from the majority view, the perpetrators of violence and oppression and/or experts who are far removed from the situation on the ground. If people sought to know the truth about what life is like in Gaza – I don’t believe they would be able to stand by idly and not support or participate in efforts like ours.” Mohammadi said.
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, Lifeline 5 set sail on its long courageous journey to the Holy Land. Its passengers and crew are peace-loving humanitarians, nobles, and journalists from around the world who will attempt passage through the blockade in hopes of delivering aid to Gaza. Aboard the flotilla, flags of many nations hang in hopes of sending a message of peace and the importance of solidarity. All this is challenging United States foreign policy and affirms the universal obligation to uphold human rights and international law.
“They’re going to continue these until the siege is broken,” An anonymous Kansas City lawyer who participated in the convoy said. “The problems still remain and were not allowed to have essential needs to get in; they’re banned. That’s why the fifth convoy is going in. This is a land convoy, and is a little risky. People who were recruited were limited because not many could afford or fund for an ambulance or a car for the trip from London to Gaza.”
Others who have not been on the convoys but wish they had been able to, have contributed a lot. Some of their contribution cannot be seen but can be heard.
“I’ve never been on a convoy nor have I been on a freedom flotilla, probably due to the fact I live in a smaller state, or because there’s not as many activists over here than people around the Kansas City, Missouri area,” Farah Abuobead, Oklahoma City Community College student said. “I support Lifeline 5. There are a few activists here in Oklahoma City. I know there are people against it but that’s because they are uninformed or they just don’t notice that it’s a freedom cause. Those people are uninformed by the media, they should be a little less closed minded. But I, as a person would love to go on a flotilla if I could.”