With the Global Sumud Flotilla on the way to Gaza, the Colombian journalist Mauricio Morales, who covers the trip to the flotilla for Tel Aviv Tribune, describes a typical day at sea for the two dozen volunteers aboard his boat.
7 a.m.
People are starting to stir, take their phones and scroll through the news. Most boats have Wi-Fi connection: a lifeline for volunteers and the mission.
Recommended stories
List of 4 elementslist
As some people get up, those who spent the night sleeping on the ground quickly move to the sofas or the mattresses they have left, in the hope of resting a little more. Others come back from night watches, have passed to monitor Israeli drones or other larger ships than the ship must avoid, so no accident occurs.
While difficult seas and uncomfortable sleep conditions wreaned havoc on volunteers, most of which have no previous experience at sea, rest is precious. The boat operates a “friend’s system”, which goes up the volunteers, aged 243 to 73 and represent approximately 14 nationalities. The friends periodically verify each other on each other, ensuring that their partner sleeps sufficiently and that he faces the physical and emotional strains of the mission. The conditions are cramped on a boat built for a dozen people, but by transporting twice as much, and the knowledge of what has happened to the previous waves that have been intercepted or attacked means that anxiety is still present.
9 a.m.
Food is rationed and breakfast is generally just a cup of coffee or tea. But when the conversation derives from shortages, thoughts quickly turn to artificial famine in Gaza, where people die daily from hunger, because others are killed by queuing in the hope of obtaining food for their family.
The goal of the mission is never far from the spirit of volunteers. Omar, a 73 -year -old Palestinian whose family was moved during the Nakba, leads lessons on Palestinian history on the bridge of the boat. Although the tragedy is woven through the accounts it shares, its conviction and its years of involvement in the efforts to break the headquarters of Gaza make the sessions not only informative but edifying.
10 a.m.
Volunteers and the crew meet for the daily meeting, where a workforce is taken and updated updates.
The tasks and tasks are affected. There is a rotation where, after everyone has done a task or a chore once, the cycle is repeated. Everyone must intervene with toilets, dishwasher, cooking and cleaning terraces and cabins. There are no arguments and everyone willingly does what they are affected.
The news circulates too. We are updated on developments, such as the threat of the National Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir to deal Like “terrorists” and imprison them in the same high security prisons where many Palestinians are held without trial and subjected to torture. This increases the urgency that volunteers think of raising awareness among the mission among the governments and movements of civil society.
11 a.m.
Volunteers start their tasks. Marcin, a 41 -year -old Polish volunteer, has become the unofficial pavilion, making small repairs, fixing portholes, readjust the toilet seats and bringing the shelves. Others help sailors to spot nearby ships, fishing nets or drones.
Between their own tasks, journalists On board, prepare their reports, while some volunteers provide interviews with the media after the flotilla. Others update social networks with the developments of the ship or find a quiet place to sleep.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The training sessions teach the volunteers what to do in the event of a fire, someone falling over board, or if the ship must be abandoned. But there are also other training sessions: what if the ship is intercepted or attacked. Volunteers learn to raise their hands if the board of directors of Israeli soldiers; The position must be comfortable enough to hold for a long time, while not appearing threatening, which could offer soldiers a pretext of violence.
For some of the volunteers, training provides an uncomfortable recall of the very real risk of violence that can wait for them. During the training sessions in Barcelona, before boarding the flotilla, the training managers shared previous flotilla experiences. They stressed the importance of adopting a non -violent response to attacks, which all volunteers have accepted.
The kitchen team begins to prepare the only hot meal of the ship of the day.
Cooking for about 24 people in a kitchen intended for 12 is not an easy task. Kubra, a German citizen of Turkish origin, is one of the main cooks. She is a deeply involved activist in the pro-Palestine movement in Germany, where she spent 24 hours in police detention for participating in a pro-Palestine demonstration.
5 p.m.
The only hot meal is a highlight of the day for volunteers. Some choose to eat together, while others prefer to find a quiet place to eat and rest alone.
6 p.m.
On the bridge of the ship, volunteers discuss all the challenges of the day and solve all the small problems that have arisen so that no tension is based between these on board.
8 p.m.
Night Watch begins while volunteers keep a day before other ships which may have an impact on the trajectory of the flotilla, as well as for Israeli drones. They will monitor up to dawn.
10 p.m.
After Omar’s evening session on Palestinian history, a discussion takes place on the meaning of mass action while volunteers share their experiences.
11 p.m.
The rotation of the bed begins. With limited beds and cushions, volunteers give priority to the elderly or those with medical conditions.
Many others continue to work with the media, adapting to the time zones of their country of origin. Downloading the content can be slow. With so many people online, the connection is registered and goes out.
12h
Some volunteers sleep, others call friends and family, or enjoy a moment of calm before trying to rest. Ship or upper bridges portholes, some sit down and quietly observe the Mediterranean.
Despite the prospect of violence if the ship is intercepted by Israeli forces, the spirits remain high. There is a real hope that after all the fleets that have been intercepted or attacked, this time could be different, and we can actually reach the banks of Gaza.
