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Activists from over 20 countries are preparing to set sail for Palestine in late June aboard 10 ships comprising the Freedom Flotilla II. They aim to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to its residents. The action is taking place a year after a similar mission ended in violence on May 31st, 2010, when Israeli military forces killed 9 passengers on board the Mavi Marmara. The Freedom Flotilla II is being organized by a coalition of human rights organizations, including The Free Gaza Movement, which states the goal is to “[End] the occupation of Palestine.” Despite the controversy surrounding Israel’s use of deadly force to stop last year’s flotilla, the Israeli government has already stated it will again use force this year, if necessary, to stop the ships from reaching shore. Shortages of everything from medical supplies to building materials has left Gaza on the brink of a humanitarian crisis since Israel imposed an embargo on the area in 2007. At the end of May Egypt reopened the Rafa boarder crossing, allowing a controlled amount of traffic between the two nations. Israel recently increased the number of supply trucks it allows into the embattled territory. However activists are criticizing the move as a disingenuous effort aimed at pacifying outcry over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, and say the amount of aid entering remains significantly short of what is needed. In anticipation of the flotilla some Israeli organizations have gone on the offensive, exploring legal maneuvers, and lobbying foreign governments, to prevent the flotilla from launching.

GUEST: Mary Hughes Thompson, co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement and participant in last year’s flotilla and the upcoming Freedom Flotilla II on the Canadian ship.

Find out more at: freegaza.org and ustogaza.org