Crew float important message during Lochaber stop
Freedom Flotilla’s boat Handala eventually passed through Fort William last week following an unscheduled stop in Spean Bridge due to a mechanical fault at Gairlochy Swing Bridge.
The flotilla is a coalition of groups from over a dozen countries whose mission is to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
Throughout this year, Handala will be sailing to ports throughout northern Europe and is scheduled to head to the Mediterranean in 2024.
This most recent leg of the journey saw the bedecked vessel on her way from Norway and the Faroes to Glasgow and then Ireland.
During their stay in Lochaber, crew members enjoyed generous hospitality and assistance offered by David Sedgwick of Fort William.
David is a retired surgeon from the Belford Hospital, who has been part of a team teaching medicine in the West Bank and Gaza for more than 10 years.
He said: “I had a great evening meeting the crew at Laggan Locks.
“I was joined by Robin Stensson and some of the crew who had just returned from obtaining food and drink from the store at the garage in Invergarry.
“Norwegian skipper Arne and Gerd were on the first flotilla to Gaza and were captured. Despite the setbacks on this journey there was a great spirit amongst the whole crew.”
The change of plans also allowed a crew member travel to Glasgow for a presentation with a number of speakers.
Others were interested to learn about the history of the Highlands – in particular similarities between the Highland Clearances and the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.
Crew members of the Handala, which is marked with the theme of this year’s flotilla ‘For the Children of Gaza’, say they have been given great support along the canal and have been invited to speak on June 27 in Inverness to the Highland Palestine group.
Trip coordinator Alex McDonald, from Houston, USA, told us: “Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on Earth, with over two million inhabitants in an area approximately six miles wide by 25 miles long.
“Most are children and two thirds of the people in Gaza are refugees whose homes are in Israel – they are denied their right of return by Israel, a violation of international law.
“The blockade, which the Freedom Flotilla highlights through its actions, limits freedom of movement and restricts Palestinian access to medical care and supplies, as well as the ability to export their products – resulting in a devastated economy and extremely high unemployment.”
The crew would like to thank all those who have welcomed them, especially the Scottish Trades Union Congress and Scottish Palestine Campaign for their support in arranging events in Scotland and for raising awareness of the situation in Palestine.