Greta Thunberg told AFP that Gaza aid flotillas are only
necessary because governments fail to uphold international law, criticising
global inaction.
Described as an "independent" organization, the Global Sumud Flotilla is the organization behind the most recent humanitarian voyage to Gaza. The Arabic term for tenacity is sumud.
"It should not have to be up to us,"
said the 22-year-old Swedish campaigner, who will join the flotilla when it sets off from Barcelona on Sunday.
"A mission like this should not have to exist,"
she added.
"It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide,"
she said.
"That is their legal duty to do. And they are failing to do so. And thereby betraying Palestinians but also all of humanity."
They claim that in an effort to establish a humanitarian corridor, boats from ports all over the world will gather in Gaza.
They say that boats from ports around the world will converge on Gaza in a peaceful bid to open a humanitarian corridor.
"Our aim is to get to Gaza, to deliver the humanitarian aid, announce the opening of a humanitarian corridor and then bring more aid, and then thus also ending, breaking Israel's illegal and inhumane siege on Gaza,"
said Thunberg.
Brazilian activist Thiago Avila told journalists in Barcelona:
"This will be the largest solidarity mission in history, with more people and more boats than all previous attempts combined."
In June and July, activists attempted to ship aid to Gaza, but Israel thwarted their efforts.
The campaigners were arrested by troops who boarded their ships, brought them onshore in Israel, and then expelled them. The June flotilla had 12 activists, including Thunberg.
The latest flotilla's organizers have not disclosed the precise time of departure or the number of boats that will depart from Barcelona.
The Israeli government vehemently denied the UN's August 22 declaration of starvation in Gaza, which blamed Israel for "systematic obstruction" of relief.
What legal arguments does Thunberg cite for calling the siege illegal?
The blockade violates the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation and limits a
state’s right to intercept, inspect, or divert vessels on the high seas except
under narrowly defined circumstances like piracy, none of which apply here.
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, there is an obligation to permit the free passage of humanitarian aid and a prohibition on collective punishment. The blockade’s severe restrictions and impacts on civilians in Gaza constitute collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court criminalizes starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the willful obstruction of humanitarian aid, both of which occur under the blockade.