“Palestine is the most important key to solving the conflict between the West and the East. If we manage to solve this conflict, peace will be established both in the Middle East and in the world. Thus, humanity will win. This mission means a lot to us. I hope, once we arrive in Gaza, humanity is going to win” said Kevin Ovenden, a British activist.
9-ship flotilla carrying humanitarian aid cargo including medical supplies, medicines, cement, iron is en route to Cyprus prior to heading for Gaza. Most of the activists in the flotilla are onboard the ship Mavi Marmara. There are 560 activists onboard. The ship is expected to arrive in the south of Cyprus at around 06.00 p.m. in the evening.
Activists, en route, do not mind about the military operation plans that Israel has been preparing for their arrival in Gaza.
Peace activists believe they will enter Gaza with the help and pressure of the international community despite the threats and interception attempts by Israel.
Each activist onboard has a unique personal story. Gaye Somuncu has given up her successful career in order to join the flotilla campaign. Working as a PR agent for large companies, Gaye quit her most recent job for boarding on the humanitarian aid ship to Gaza. Gaye, a graduate of Bilkent University’s International Relations program is now helping the international activists onboard thanks to her fluent English. Somuncu explained the reason behind her joining this movement: “I wanted to do something to contribute to the humanity. A friend of mine had taken me to IHH’s office one day. That’s when I decided to join the campaign. I am so happy. I am not scared at all. Because I am not doing anything wrong. From now on, I will continue to take part in activities such as this one.”
The key to the Middle East is Palestine
Kevin Ovenden, has joined the “Palestine Our Route, Humanitarian Aid Our Load” movement from England. He is the coordinator of Viva Palestina. He works as an assistant to British MP George Gallaway. Kevin has taken part in numerous campaigns of similar character before as well. He says he has been an activist for 27 years. He defines being an activist as an altruistic thing. Kevin goes on to say “Palestine is the most important key to solving the conflict between the West and the East. If we manage to solve this conflict, peace will be established both in the Middle East and in the world. Thus, humanity will win. This mission means a lot to us. I hope, once we arrive in Gaza, humanity will win.”
Doctors Onboard
Mevlut Yurtseven, M.D. said “I am here do my part. This is a humanitarian and also a religious obligation for me to fulfill.”
Yurtseven performs emergency treatments of those onboard.
Fatma Muhammedali, an activist of Iranian origin, joins the flotilla from the U.S. and she was on both of the previous land convoys. She is a lawyer. She is here together with other American activists and she says they are in touch with the doctors in Gaza. Noting that there are severe restrictions on the admission of medicines and medical equipment into Gaza, added that they previously took US$500,000 worth of medical supplies to Palestine in the two previous land convoys.
Women onboard are like white doves representing the peace
Fatma Muhammedali stated that they decided to deal with the problems of civilians after seeing that governments are indifferent to the issues facing those innocent people. She said these activists will bring peace into Palestine. Iranian activist, also put emphasis on the large number of female activists onboard, she likened those activists to white doves representing the peace.
