The Freedom Flotilla sailing to Gaza is due to arrive in Cork Harbour this afternoon, where it will berth at Kennedy Pier in Cobh.

A variety of activities and events will take place from 7-10 June, including musical performances, vigils and family events, with activities for children and a special send-off for the Handala on Monday.

Performers will include singer John Spillane and comedian Maeve Higgins.

Senator Frances Black will speak about the Occupied Territories Bill, while those onboard or involved in the Flotilla will also speak – including Irish human rights campaigner Caoimhe Butterly, who was shot by an Israeli soldier while trying to shield Palestinian children from gunfire in 2002; Irish-Brazilian filmmaker, photographer and Hot Press contributor Fellipe Lopes; and John Turnbull, who in 2018 was captaining a peaceful Freedom Flotilla vessel when Israel’s navy hijacked it in international waters and kidnapped its passengers and crew.

 

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“Palestinians have long felt abandoned by the international community, which has allowed Israel to pillage our land and occupy us and kill us for decades without consequence,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition Organiser and attorney.

“It’s that impunity that’s brought us to today, where Israel feels that it can carry out a live-stream genocide and get away with it. But while our governments have failed to live up to their obligations under international law, it’s important to assert that people of the world will not stay silent.

“Irish participation in the Freedom Flotilla and the efforts to break the siege of Gaza is incredibly meaningful because, despite Israel’s strategy of isolating the Palestinian people, we have always felt the love and affinity of the Irish.”

After visiting various ports across Europe, the Freedom Flotilla is hoping to sail to Gaza, where it will physically challenge Israel’s illegal maritime blockade of Gaza using non-violent tactics. The Flotilla Coalition is composed of civil society organisations and grassroots groups from across the globe who’ve challenged the illegal and inhumane Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2011.