Recent developments have made me more optimistic than ever that justice may finally be on its way for Palestinians.
World public opinion is now shifting decisively against the apartheid regime in Israel.
For too many years, world powers have failed to act to stop Israel’s abhorrent treatment of Palestinian residents in Gaza and the West Bank. Although many countries have called for a two-state solution to the conflict, and an increasing number have moved to recognize or at least acknowledge a Palestinian state, little has actually been done to stop Israeli actions. Israeli bombardments in Gaza continue and residents there continue to starve.
However, as governments dither, a number of brave individuals are acting. Today I want to focus on this very significant event.
In late August, a flotilla of over 50 civilian ships – known as the Global Sumud Flotilla – set sail from various ports on the Mediterranean for Gaza, carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid, mainly food and medicines. Their contingent included nearly 1,000 activists, politicians, doctors, journalists, and artists from 44 countries.
Their aim was to break Israel’s Gaza blockade — a blockade which is literally causing innocent Palestinian to die the most horrible of deaths — death by starvation. They aspire to open a humanitarian corridor and to end Israel’s Palestinian genocide.
This was by far the largest humanitarian contingent that has ever attempted to break the deadly and cruel Israeli blockade. It was a coordinated effort by multiple activist and humanitarian movements, including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Movement to Gaza, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara, and included a vessel with medical assistance.
Individual ships had tried in the past to break through the blockade. However, no attempt to break the siege had ever been successful. Individual ships are no match for one of the most powerful militaries on Planet Earth.
The current flotilla looked to have a much better chance of success by reason of the sheer number of ships participating. It was hoped that even the Israeli army would find it impossible to stop its delivery of food and humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
That did not mean that the Israelis didn’t try. Even before getting close to Gaza, a number of flotilla ships suffered drone attacks, and some were forced to drop out due to damage. Ultimately, over 40 vessels were able to continue the attempt to reach Gaza.
While the number of ships and participants was truly inspiring, it was something else that caused my jaw to drop. Immediately after the first drone attacks, three NATO countries – Italy, Spain, and Turkiye – sent battleships to protect their nationals from Israeli violence. These ships continued to shadow the flotilla from a distance.
According to Al Jazeera, by September 30th the flotilla was less than 270 kilometers from Gaza and had entered Israel’s interception zone. On October 1st, Israeli military began capturing the ships and arresting those on board, cutting communications and firing water cannons at the ships – unconcerned that by doing so they were breaking international maritime law. Flotilla members remained firmly non-violent and did not resist.
Israeli actions against the flotilla did not escape international scrutiny. Flotilla members continued to livestream reports for as long as possible, and YouTube broadcasters such as Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye and Reuters posted updates. The Israeli interceptions were roundly condemned worldwide, and protests broke out in a number of countries.
Despite the Israeli actions against the flotilla, I am more convinced than ever that a viable, independent, sovereign Palestinian state will soon be born. My optimism is somewhat supported by the unlikeliest of sources – President Trump, who appears to have finally lost patience with Israel and has reportedly forced President Netanyahu to accept a U.S. 20-point peace plan for Gaza. As I write, there is no word yet as to whether Hamas will also accept the plan, and critics have noted that the plan does not properly address the needs of the Palestinians and contains no mention of the West Bank.
It is my hope that Israel will be forced — if necessary, by Western military — to end the blockade and immediately allow food, medicines, and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Then Israel must leave, turning over Gaza to Palestinians, supported by neutral partners.
The new Palestinian state will have no military. It may become the Switzerland of the Middle East. Its citizens will finally no longer reside in the world’s largest open-air prison. Its sick and ill will be free to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The new Palestine will include both Gaza and the West Bank. Its land and resources, including water, will no longer be at risk of being arbitrarily expropriated year after year by illegal Israeli settlements. Destroyed homes in both Gaza and the West Bank will be rebuilt. Families with olive trees, many of which are hundreds of years old, will no longer awake in the morning to see that their olive trees have been uprooted in the middle of the night by illegal Israeli settlers.
I am hopeful that justice is finally on its way for Palestinians.
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (September 26, 2025): 424.29ppm
One year ago (September 21, 2024): 422.19ppm
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