As the Freedom Flotilla II approaches Gaza this June, a group of NGOs, civil society organizations, workers and student unions and associations have signed a statement of solidarity with Gaza, titled 'A Call from Gaza in Support of the Freedom Flotilla II.'

The statement summarises some of the starkest consequences of the Israeli blockade on Gaza, citing human rights reports and statistics documenting the deteriorating status of living in the strip as a result of the brutal siege.

The statement notes the failure of governments, the UN and its organisations to pressure Israel into lift the blockade unconditionally, and implores civil society organisations to do so instead, invoking the example of South Africa, where international civil society pressure was an integral part in ending the apartheid system. The statement notes that Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu “have also joined this call for the world’s civil society to intervene again.”

Ending the statement is a call on civil society organisations worldwide “to intensify the anti-Israel sanctions campaign to compel Israel to end to its aggression. We call on the nations and citizens of the world participating in the Freedom Flotilla II to continue their plans to sail to Gaza where they would be welcomed by Palestinians.” 

List of Signatories:

University Teachers' Association
Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network
Al-Aqsa University
Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza
General Union of Youth Entities
Arab Cultural Forum
General Union for Health Services Workers
General Union for Public Services Workers
General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers
General Union for Agricultural Workers
Union of Women’s Work Committees
Union of Synergies—Women Unit
Union of Palestinian Women Committees
Women’s Studies Society
Working Woman’s Society
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
One Democratic State Group
Palestinian Youth against Apartheid
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info
Palestine Sailing Federation
Palestinian Association for Fishing and Maritime
Palestinian Women Committees
Progressive Students Union
Medical Relief Society
The General Society for Rehabilitation
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah
Rafah Olympia City Sisters
Al Awda Centre,
Rafah Al Awda Hospital,
Jabaliya Camp Ajyal Association,
Gaza General Union of Palestinian Syndicates
Al Karmel Centre,
Nuseirat Local Initiative,
Beit Hanoun Union of Health Work Committees
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre
Al Awda Centre, Rafah    
Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Information Society
Women Section  - Union of Palestinian Workers  Syndicate
Middle East Childrens’  Alliance -Gaza
Local Initiative -Beit Hanoun