We have finally reached the end of the campaign which we have been working for months. We are embarking on our journey to Palestine with the participation of thousands of friends. I am calling it “the end”, because what mattered the most was the beginning of the journey and we have achieved that. God willing, our destination will be Gaza. Sarayburnu witnessed a historical moment today. Thousands of people, in tears, sent off a ship that was loaded with hopes, love and the dignity that seems to be lost.

I was about to board the ship and an old lady called me over and she cited sincere prayers. I had never seen her before then and I will never forget her. I will never forget the sincerity and tears I saw in her eyes. She seemed as if she had been waiting for that moment for 70 years.

Raed Salah is giving his speech and people are in tears. Bulent Yildirim’s speech starts and people are again in tears. It seems like there is no need for the seawater, rowing a boat on the tears would be more than enough to reach Gaza. We leave the harbor and anchor somewhere off Ahirkapi. We need to fill our fuel tanks. It takes 6 hours to fill in the 150-ton tank. We will be embarking on our journey as soon as the tanks are filled.