Hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip lost everything during the two-year war / Source: Wikimedia Commons. licence – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Aike 4.0 International, photograph by Jaber Jehad BadwanThe war in Gaza has been going on for more than 2 years. The full planet directs its eyes to the conflict area, and activists take action for the victims of war. A naval fleet with humanitarian assistance is leaving for the Zone, which is intercepted by Israeli soldiers in global waters. There are many demonstrations in European countries, and people are increasingly courageous in expressing their opposition. What future awaits Gaza? Will protests and actions of "outside" people aid resolve the conflict?
The armed conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization broke out in October 2023 and affects the civilian population of the region to this day. The number of deaths is expanding from hr to hour. According to Al-Jazeera, so far we are talking about over 67,000 people who have lost their lives as a consequence of tragic events. UNICEF besides warns about the dramatic situation – according to this organization, the full population of Gaza, with more than 2 million people, faces serious food shortages. all 3rd individual has not eaten in days, and 80% of all reported deaths due to hunger are children. According to the Fund, 28 children die there all day. According to UNRWA, the United Nations Agency for the Relief of Palestinian Refugees in the mediate East, more than 10 children lose 1 or 2 legs each day. The Israeli authorities are blocking food supply to the needy. The Doctors Without Borders organization underlines that volunteers are increasingly informed about "the deficiency of humanitarian aid powers". United Nations advanced Commissioner for Human Rights – Volker Turk describes the conflict in the Gaza Strip as a image of "scrupulous killing and inflicting suffering on civilians". The bombings have caused the civilian population to have no shelter.
World Conscience Movement
A peculiar minute of showing support to Palestinians and showing the planet incredible courage is the event that took place at the turn of August and September this year. At the time, Flotilla Sumud, consisting of more than 40 boats, sailed from ports of different countries towards the Gaza Strip. Global Sumud Flotilla, as you can read on the authoritative website, is simply a coordinated and non-violent fleet, consisting mainly of tiny ships sailing from the Mediterranean ports. Its aim is to supply humanitarian aid and to break the illegal business of Israel in the Gaza Strip. Citizens from 57 countries are active in the organization. There were about 400 volunteers on the ships. Representatives of different corners of the planet did not pay attention to the differences of religious, national or worldview nature – their belief in human rights, freedom and justice combined them. Among them were besides Poles, including MP from Poznań – Franciszek Sterczewski, Omar Faris – president of the Polish Palestinians' Social and Cultural Association, Nina Bird – president of the Nomad Association, and Ewa Jasiewicz – British-Polish writer and activist.
On Wednesday, October 1, the Israeli Navy intercepted the Freedom Fleet ships, which were 80 nautical miles from the target. The armed Israelis boarded with humanitarian aid. According to CBS News, Benjamin Netanjah straight approved military operations on ships sailing to Gaza with humanitarian aid. Volunteers and volunteers on board were detained and transported to the Saharonim prison in the Negev Desert, where a large proportion of the freedom-free Palestinians besides hits. After a fewer days of captivity, any of them were sent back to Turkey and then to their countries of origin. These included Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist. She was to be humiliated and forced to wear the Israeli flag. Presenter of Turkish tv Ikbal Gürpınar after release spoke for Turkish news program Haber: “They treated us like dogs. They left us hungry for 3 days. They didn't give us water; we had to drink from the toilet... It was a terribly hot day.”
Flotilla Sumud gained work of human rights defenders and volunteers from around the planet / Source: Wikimedia Commons. licence – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, photograph by MtvdaniloIncreased opposition
People from around the planet are increasingly expressing their opposition by chanting the slogan "Free Palestine". In the erstwhile month, there were mass protests against the Israeli business and genocide, which the protesters believe is taking place in the Gaza Strip. There were large demonstrations in Western European countries, among others. There was a general strike in Italy. In nearly 30 cities, people took to the streets on a working day, showing their solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Italians on board the intercepted Freedom Fleet ship. According to the Italian Ministry of the Interior, it was about 400,000 people. In Barcelona, however, the number of protesters according to the police was 70,000, and according to the organizers more than 300 000. There were besides protests in Poland, 1 of which took place in front of the Ministry of abroad Affairs in Warsaw. The demonstration was to encourage members of the government to respond to the detention of Poles from Sumud Flotilla. Including Warsaw, “Solidarnia z Palestine” protests were held in more than 20 Polish cities, and respective 1000 people attended them.
Will humanitarian expeditions and demonstrations have any effect on the government of Israel? How many civilians must die, how many children must endure from hunger to halt the occupation? These are questions that are inactive open, but they lead to reflection. After fresh events, we can ask ourselves whether society has any influence on ruling decisions, and is this what “freedom” and “democracy” look like?
Nicole KRAKOWSKA
