Freedom Waves

Are the Freedom Rides a detour for the struggle?

Last week, six courageous Palestinians attempted to defy racism, segregation and apartheid by boarding Jewish settler-only buses in the hopes of reaching Jerusalem, a city off limits to Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the symbolic, media-friendly act — and its debatable relevance to the average Palestinian — begs some important questions. 

Freedom Waves participants still detained in Israeli prison

Only six out of the original 27 Freedom Waves participants have been released, twenty-one participants are still detained in Israeli prisons.  Egyptian journalist with Almasry Alyoum, Lina Attalah was the first to be released, she was handed over to officials at the Egyptian Embassy in Israel who later escorted her back home to Egypt through Taba crossing, Lina wrote an eyewitness account which can be found here. 

Actions in support with the FreedomWaves ships

Demonstrations were held today in Ramallah and Gaza in support with the Freedom Waves flotilla on it’s way to Gaza. Protesters in Ramallah marched from Manara Square to a UN building to demand protection for the Freedom Waves flotilla. Palestinian youth also submitted a statement demanding UN action to protect the boats and end complicity with the Gaza siege.