PHM members aboard humanitarian fleet bound for Gaza
Three members of the People's Health Movement (PHM), Belgian physician Hanne Bosselaers of Doctors for the People, a health activist who has worked in the past with counterparts in Gaza; Aziz Rhali, Moroccan health activist, president of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, coordinator of the Coalition for Health in Morocco; James D. Smith, an emergency Medical Doctor based in London, lecturer in humanitarian studies at University College London, and trustee of the UK-based health justice charity Medact who has worked in Gaza during the war; all three activists members of the People’s Health Movement, will set sail on the Sumud Global Flotilla to Gaza in an attempt to break the blockade bringing humanitarian emergency aid to civilian victims of war.
For more information on the Global Sumud Flotilla go to https://globalsumudflotilla.org/
"We have a collective responsibility to prevent atrocity crimes. Our governments and our courts have failed, and so we must do whatever we can to expose Israel’s crimes and break its brutal siege” Mr. Smith stated about his motivation for joining the flotilla, taking on a different role after having been treating war victims.
This is the largest civilian humanitarian flotilla to set sail towards Gaza, prepared in the shortest time in history, and represents the united efforts of grassroots social movements, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is set to depart from several Mediterranean ports. The first vessels are scheduled to leave Spain on August 31, with dozens of ships participating in what they call the largest attempt yet to reach the enclave. Additional departures are planned for September 4 from Tunisia and other regional ports.
“This has to stop, the war has to stop, the world cannot remain idle while genocide against the Palestinians continues.” Said Hanne Bosselaers, when she broke the news to her family and friends that she would be joining the flotilla.
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” is an independent, international, and unaffiliated group, a coalition of everyday people—organizers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, lawyers, and seafarers—who believe in human dignity and the power of nonviolent action. The Humanitarian Flotilla includes participants from 44 countries, among them humanitarians, doctors, and artists such as American actress Susan Sarandon, Swedish actor Gustaf Skarsgård, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, environmental activist Greta Thunberg and health rights activists Aziz Rhali, James D. Smith and Hanne Bosselaers.
“It's decided. I'll be on one of the boats leaving for Gaza. I'll be part of the humanitarian flotilla as a member of the PHM community. We must break the blockade, bring humanitarian aid to innocent victims, and restore dignity to the Palestinian people”, said Rhali after signing up for the flotilla crew.