Support the Palestinian People and the Women's Boat to Gaza by Roshana Krishnappa
This flyer supports fundraising for an initiative known as "The Women's Boat to Gaza", which sought to stand against the imposed Israeli blockade, as well as raise international awareness toward the issue, and demonstrate solidarity with the besieged population of the Gaza Strip.
The Women's Boat to Gaza was an initiative led by the Freedom Flotilla, an organization consisting of various members in support of establishing freedom in Gaza and justice for those residing there. In particular, the Women's Boat to Gaza, comprised of an all-women crew and passengers, focused on solidarity with and the accomplishments of Palestinian women in their fight for justice. The ties between the Occupy Movement and this women-led initiative supporting international struggles illustrate the intersectionality between issues of race, gender, and class.
Often in social movements, specifically the Occupy Movement, "Gender conflict and the culture of male dominance was a source of infighting (...) that both hampered the participation of women and provided a political opportunity for feminist mobilization" (Hurwitz, 2019). In the case of the Freedom Flotilla and the Women's Boat to Gaza, there was a focus on feminist mobilization tactics through women-centered leadership and participation. While the means to their mobilization was through a feminist approach, the Women's Boat to Gaza also drew help from men, non-governmental organizations, outside social groups, and worldwide women's collectives. This approach to mobilization ensured that the voices of women, which often face scrutiny and resistance, are valued and acted upon, while also drawing from participation and resources of agencies not necessarily centered around women.
The Women's Boat to Gaza also actively utilized digital mobilization tactics, which can provide a platform to communicate and promote activist events and goals. Much of the fundraising and informing about the movement was furthered through the use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and email. In the Occupy Movement, "online activism became a vehicle to involve feminist communities beyond Occupy in the movement" (Hurwitz, 2019). Through the use of digital activism, the Women's Boat to Gaza was able to recruit a broad international member base to further their movement goals and identity. Used effectively, social media and digital activism have the ability to further a movement's progress, and this potential was embraced by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
While ultimately, the participants of the Women's Boat to Gaza were detained and deported to their respective home countries, there are important lessons that can be learned from the initiative which overall did accomplish the goals of raising awareness and demonstrating solidarity.
