I try not to give in to anger — especially when it’s Israel provoking it — but sometimes I can’t help it. Seeing photos of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla crew with their hands up, after Israeli soldiers overtook their ship, the “Madleen,” made my blood boil. Seeing the same forces that starve Gazans pass out sandwiches and water bottles to the crew lit a fire inside me. Israel seized the Madleen in international waters, abducted every single humanitarian on board, and brought them to an Israeli port to be deported to their home countries. I knew Israel would eventually stop the Madleen from reaching Gaza, but I will never get used to their depravity. 

Israel says the aid they stole from the flotilla will be distributed through the “proper channels,” but Netanyahu just admitted to arming groups in Gaza whom aid workers have accused of stealing humanitarian aid and carrying out violent attacks. For months, Israel claimed without evidence that Hamas was stealing from aid trucks — and Western mainstream media parroted that lie! Israel weaponized their deception to make starvation and collective punishment, both violations of international law, seem like necessary security measures. The cost of this narrative? Babies starving to death in Gaza.

But what drove these everyday people on the flotilla to take such a risky trip in the first place? After all, Israel struck the last flotilla attempting to break the siege on Gaza — twice. I think some of it had to do with anger. Anger at the international community’s inaction as Israel bombs and starves Gaza, which makes one thing clear: if we want this genocide to end, we’re going to have to stop it ourselves. 

I, like the flotilla crew, try to channel my anger into action. One campaign I really believe in is the #MaskOffMaersk campaign, which aims to stop the logistics giant Maersk from shipping military cargo to Israel. Maersk plays a crucial role in manufacturing F-35s — the jets Israel uses to bombard Gaza. #MaskOffMaersk is calling for a digital day of action TOMORROW, June 12, to expose Maersk’s role in the F-35 supply chain and demand they stop shipments of these jets to Israel.

Send a letter to Maersk demanding they stop F-35 shipments to Israel!

Then, share this post on X to make sure our message reaches Maersk! 

Israel cannot extinguish our collective determination to end the genocide. Thousands of people across the globe feel the urgency to act for Gaza so strongly that they are meeting in Cairo on June 15 to march to Gaza and demand the Rafah border be opened. These actions represent a new uprising: the largest people’s movement for Palestine in history. You are part of that movement, and I’m so happy to be in it with you.

👉 Here are other ways to engage: 

• Global March to Gaza: Solidarity Toolkit
• Check out our updated BDS page
• Dive in deeper by joining our summer school: Feminists Resisting Fascism.
• Join the global call to action: Fast to Feed Gaza! 
• Cultural workers: See how you can bring Palestine into your work place!

Until Liberation,
Nour and the entire CODEPINK team

PS: The U.S. will take $1 trillion away from the American taxpayer to fund war and destruction! Sign the petition to CUT the military budget!!