New Zealand Activists Set Sail for Gaza Amidst Growing Tensions

A humanitarian mission to the Gaza Strip is underway, featuring two New Zealanders aboard the vessel Conscience. The ship, measuring 66 meters, departed from Italy on October 10, 2023, as part of a flotilla comprising 48 vessels aimed at delivering aid to the Palestinian people. Among the passengers are Christchurch actor-turned-activist Will Alexander and Ava Mulla, along with over 90 others, including journalists and medical professionals.

New Zealand currently has a travel advisory in place for Gaza, discouraging citizens from entering the region due to ongoing hostilities. This advisory has not deterred Alexander and Mulla, who are motivated by their commitment to human rights. They express a profound awareness of the risks involved, particularly given the recent interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli forces, which included New Zealanders such as teenager Samuel Leason and two Palestinian-New Zealanders, Rana Hamida and Youssef Sammour.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has communicated to Israel that it expects its citizens to be treated according to international law. On October 8, 2023, MFAT confirmed that a consular partner met with the detained New Zealanders in Israel. Reflecting on their situation, Alexander stated during a radio interview on October 15, 2023, that they hoped to reach Gaza to “break the illegal siege,” while acknowledging the likelihood of their mission facing significant challenges.

“There is fear, but it pales in comparison to what the Palestinian people are going through,” Alexander remarked. He referenced the deadly incidents involving previous flotillas, notably the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010, where several activists were killed.

Mulla added that the group has formed a meditation circle on the ship, guided by a Buddhist monk, to help maintain focus and calm. “We are trying to stay in the moment and take things as they come,” she said. The activists expressed a sense of pride in their mission, emphasizing that their actions are ultimately for the people of Gaza. Mulla articulated this sentiment: “Even if we are injured or killed in this mission, we will have been doing everything that we can for the Palestinian people and for human rights.”

Both Alexander and Mulla expressed frustration with the New Zealand government’s response to the crisis, specifically the travel advisory. “The reason that they have put a ‘don’t travel to Gaza’ advisory is because Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza,” Alexander asserted. “The response to a genocide is not to not go to that place. The response to a genocide is to end the genocide.”

In a recent interview, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that New Zealanders could feel “proud” of the government’s decision regarding Palestinian statehood. Luxon, who attended a sporting event rather than addressing the United Nations recently, maintained that the government’s stance aligns with its independent foreign policy.

As these activists continue their journey, the situation remains dynamic, with ongoing international discussions regarding humanitarian access and political recognition in the region. The outcome of their mission may have implications not only for those aboard the Conscience but also for broader humanitarian efforts in Gaza.