Non-violent women activists prepare to take on Gaza blockade

A peaceful aid flotilla to Gaza – that is staffed exclusively by Women activists – is preparing to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of the strip.

Position of #WomenToGaza on Zaytouna-Oliva at 19h CEST today:https://t.co/edNFngRcZA
nearing #Israel's illegal "military exclusion zone"

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) October 4, 2016

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Marama Davidson, a New Zealand lawmaker said

We are fully committed to reaching Gaza… We have women sending us messages and waiting to meet us. I can’t wait to cuddle some of the babies I’ve seen in photos on the beach … There is no reason to be nervous. We present no threat and are committed to non-violence

A similar protest launched in 2010 resulted in the death of 10 activists from Turkey and the US when the main aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, was raided by Israeli special forces.

A retired U.S. diplomat, Ann Wright, who was aboard the flotilla described the event as a “horrific, unnecessarily brutal attack on unarmed civilians”