Karachi – In an important act of solidarity, a Pakistani ship has joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multinational convoy of vessels heading to Gaza in direct defiance of the Israeli blockade. The presence of the Pakistani ship is an impressive show of civil society and governmental support for the Palestinian people.
The flotilla is organized by a group of human rights and pro-Palestinian organizations based in several countries around the world and will bring much-needed humanitarian aid and bring attention to the international community about the humanitarian crisis due to the current siege on Gaza.
It is a major action in the international campaign of circumventing traditional diplomatic processes and mobilizing direct action to pressure for the end of the blockade.
History of Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla, whose name Sumud means steadfastness in the Arabic language, comprises vessels of different countries, including Turkey, Lebanon, and Norway. Its activism aims at two things: to deliver humanitarian aid like food, medicine, and building materials, and to protest the years long blockade that has paralyzed the economy and infrastructure of Gaza.
Organizers of the flotilla opine that the blockade, which is enforced by Israel and Egypt, amounts to collective punishment of the 2.3 million people residing in Gaza and a gross violation of international law. The mere presence of the flotilla on the high seas is an act of defiance, which is making the international community look at the legality and morality of the siege.
Efforts from Pakistan
The participation of Pakistan in the flotilla is a testimony to its consistent and principled stand on the Palestinian cause. The nation has also been supportive of the rights of Palestinians in international forums, such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The involvement of the vessel that set sail from the port of Karachi indicates a combination of state and popular support of the cause. Although the flotilla is a civil society project, the Pakistani government has permitted and assisted the vessel to leave the port, which implies its tacit support, not to mention overt support. This is in line with the larger Pakistani foreign policy that has been very critical of Israeli activities and is a firm believer in the two-state solution.
Risks involved with Flotilla
The mission does not come without risks. Earlier efforts to disrupt the blockade have been repelled by the Israeli Navy. A recent flotilla named Medleen, back in July, was stopped by the Israeli navy before reaching Gaza.
Organizers of the present flotilla have said they are prepared to engage in a non-violent confrontation but were determined to fulfil their mission. International journalists, human rights monitors, and political activists are also on board to act as a deterrent and to witness and record any confrontation and broadcast to the world.
International InterestFun
There is a lot of interest in the progress of the flotilla by navies and governments around the world. Israel has threatened to intercept the convoy on its way to Gaza on security grounds and on the basis that it has a right to enforce the naval blockade.
The international pressure on the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, however, makes the forceful intervention a politically delicate step. The international focus created by the flotilla shines light on the humanitarian situation and political standoff in need of a response by international bodies.
