Joining The 'Freedom Ride' Of Our Generation

Today New Zealander Harmeet Sooden flies from Auckland to join Freedom Flotilla 2 on its voyage to beat the Israeli siege of Gaza. Harmeet has a place on a Canadian vessel which is part of a 12-boat humanitarian mission loaded with medical aid for the beleaguered people of Gaza.

Gaza is the sixth most densely populated place on earth and the world's largest open-air prison where 1.6 million Palestinians live - most in desperate poverty with 70% relying on humanitarian aid to survive.

Israel made much political capital of its withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 but in reality Israeli troops have just shifted from one side of the border fence to the other and maintained a medieval land and sea siege of the Palestinian territory. Palestinian fishing boats are regularly fired on by Israeli navy and until recently Gaza's border with Israel was closed as well.

This new attempt to breach the blockade follows last year's brutal, cowardly attack on the Turkish boat Mavi Marmara in international waters by Israeli commandoes. Nine humanitarian aid workers were killed.

But support for the Palestinian struggle is building internationally and countries from across the globe will be represented on the boats. Harmeet is New Zealand's representative.

Taking part this year will also will be veteran US civil rights activist Alice Walker (author of the acclaimed book The Colour Purple) She will be joining the flotilla and when she describes it as "the freedom ride of this generation" she's referring to the historic freedom ride from Washington into the southern states of the US in 1961 as activists challenged deeply entrenched racism against black Americans.

In 2011 the Freedom Flotilla continues the same spirit. Israel's apartheid policies towards its Arab population, its blockade of Gaza and its brutal military occupation of the West Bank are the political targets of the flotilla.

It's great to have a New Zealander as part of this international protest. It helps make up for the shame brought on this country by singer Kiri Te Kanawa who recently sang at the Israel Festival despite international appeals for her to join the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign to bring international pressure against Israeli policies.

Te Kanawa is one of a dwindling number of international stars who ignore the boycott and she is lampooned in a Canadian protest video here:

Harmeet Sooden also appears at the end of the video (above) as part of the Canadian crew comments.

New Zealanders concerned for human rights wish Harmeet all the best for the trip. He goes knowing the serious danger he is facing but also knowing the world's eyes are on the flotilla.

The New Zealand media has an important role to help keep him safe...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Harmeet Sooden adds: "While I am in agreement with the overall goals of the Canada Boat to Gaza and Freedom Flotilla 2, I do not endorse the call for a 'cultural' boycott of Israel."

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