in Israel, a “humanitarian guard” around convoys to Gaza

Israeli peace activists from “Standing Together” are trying to prevent far-right groups from attacking humanitarian aid convoys for Gaza.

Food bags emptied and thrown on the ground, drivers mishandled, trucks set on fire… For several months, Israeli far-right groups have been trying to block humanitarian aid to Gaza. Last week, attacks on these trucks intensified. Faced with this increase in violence, peace activists mobilized to try to protect the convoys. On Sunday May 19, the “Standing Together” movement launched its first action, which it calls the “Humanitarian Guard”.

A horn and a big smile as a sign of support, a truck loaded with food leaves towards Gaza and greets the peace activists on the way. There are several dozen of them, determined to protect humanitarian convoys, explains Uri Weltmann: “The objective of this action is to prevent these far-right groups from attacking humanitarian convoys. We are also there to document, and force the police and soldiers who are on site to do the minimum of what they are asked to do: protect these convoys.”

Oshra, a 36-year-old activist, says she cried when she saw the images of last week’s rampage. “Each truck can be THE truck that will save lives, she says. When these settlers burn the convoys, for me it is as if they are condemning to death everyone on the other side of the border.” The group is stationed in front of the Tarkumiya checkpoint, through which trucks pass, between the occupied West Bank and Israel, before reaching Gaza.

The settlers have just taken action a few kilometers further on. A first truck was attacked, bags of food were scattered on the ground and boxes were ripped open. On site, the activists recovered what was still intact, under the gaze of the police and the insults of a dozen young Israeli settlers: “Get out of here! You traitors!”

But for Suf, a 32-year-old peace activist, his action remains a victory : “The settlers managed to knock some of the aid off the truck, but we arrived quickly and so very little food was lost or damaged and the rest went to Gaza. By being here we are forcing the police to act and prevent this destruction.” Once all the food has been collected, the activists load a new truck, with the hope that this time it will reach Gaza safely.