Palestine Freedom ship docks in Bristol for Harbour Festival a challenge to Israeli apartheid: Zohar

“It’s been lovely, we’ve had people come to us and bring us groceries. We were in a restaurant off the Caledonian canal and the guy saw what we were doing and gave us a meal on the house.

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“It’s really nice to be part of this community and show solidarity with Gaza but I am flying home tomorrow. I have to mow the lawn, it’s getting overgrown.”

The boat is named Handala after the famous cartoon image of a refugee Palestinian child. Over the following days, Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has a range of events planned to raise the issues around the 16-year blockade of Gaza and the effects of this on children in particular.
Activists from Bristol hung a banner from the Junction Swing Bridge as the ship arrived at Cumberland Basin. (Image: Yvonne Deeney)

This will include tours of the Handala, a film about a previous mission to break the blockade, a fundraising concert, panel talks, middle eastern buffet and a picnic. The 16-year blockade of Gaza has had devastating effects on the population of the territory, many of whom are refugees.

Water consumption is well below the internationally recommended minimum, while electricity is frequently only available for a few hours a day. Earlier this year, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza killed 49 Palestinians, including 17 children.

The UN and human rights monitoring bodies have repeatedly condemned the blockade as illegal, drawing attention to its disastrous effects including on services like essential healthcare, education and sanitation, access to food, and on Gaza’s economy. The blockade has a particularly harsh impact on children, with Save the Children reporting that four out of five children in the Gaza Strip live with depression, grief and fear.

After finishing its tour of Europe, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has announced its intention to sail to the Gaza Strip in 2024. Helen Wheeler, Secretary of Bristol PSC, said “The blockade of Gaza is illegal, immoral and barbaric.

“It is designed to punish and control an entire population by limiting their access to the resources required to live fulfilled lives. It needs to be brought to an end alongside Israel’s wider system of apartheid exercised over all Palestinians.

“The flotilla’s visit to Bristol is an important means of raising awareness of these injustices and building the pressure on our Government to take meaningful action to hold Israel to account for its violation of Palestinian rights and of international law.”

Itinerary:

10 July - 5:30pm Welcome the flotilla to Bristol, Cascade Steps, Anchor Road.
11-16 July 12 -6pm Bristol Docks PSC and Flotilla stall, tours of the Handala.
11 July 7pm Film “The Truth: Lost at Sea”, Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre, Broad Street. The story of the 2010 Freedom Flotilla, the Mavi Marmara, which was attacked by Israel en route to Gaza.
12 July 7pm Fundraising concert for the flotilla at Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre, Broad Street. An evening of Moroccan and Sudanese music. Also live link with the Edward Said National Conservatory in Gaza.
13 July 7pm Frome Friends of Palestine’s music night “Freedom Sounds”, 23 Bath Street, Frome. "Breaking the blockade on Gaza” panel talk about the effect of the blockade and why the flotilla is important with Flotilla Crew members and link up with Gaza.
14 July 3pm The flotilla crew join Bristol’s Vigil for Gaza that has been going for over 5 years. Cascade steps.
15 July 7pm “Breaking the Blockade in Gaza” panel talk about the effect of the blockade and why the flotilla is important with crew members, National Director of PSC Ben Jamal, and link up with Gaza. Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre, Broad Street
17 July 6pm Picnic with Palestinian music and poetry. Queen Square
19 July 6:30pm Farewell to the flotilla, Bristol Docks.