Gaza aid flotilla ‘should not have to exist’ says rights activist Greta Thunberg

Aid flotillas such as the one preparing to leave for Gaza would not be necessary if governments upheld international law, rights activist Greta Thunberg said on Saturday.

“It should not have to be up to us,” said the 22-year-old Swedish campaigner, who will join the flotilla when it sets off from Barcelona on Sunday.

“A mission like this should not have to exist,” she added.

“It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide,” she said.

“That is their legal duty to do. And they are failing to do so. And thereby betraying Palestinians but also all of humanity.”

The latest aid expedition towards Gaza is organised by a group called the Global Sumud Flotilla, which describes itself as an “independent” organisation. Sumud is the Arab word for perseverance.

“Our aim is to get to Gaza, to deliver the humanitarian aid, announce the opening of a humanitarian corridor and then bring more aid, and then thus also ending, breaking Israel’s illegal and inhumane siege on Gaza,” Thunberg said.