Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, joined supporters and family members this morning to welcome home three of the courageous Australians who attempted to deliver aid to Gaza and break Israel's illegal blockade, aboard the Sumud Flotilla.
As stated by Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice:
"I am so relieved to welcome our heroes back home and I am so proud of them. We have all been worried sick about what the Israeli military would do to them given their horrific track record.
"The Australian people are so proud of them. These are everyday people who are willing to put their lives on the line to deliver lifesaving food and medical supplies to Palestinians suffering Israel's genocide and starvation.
"They carried with them not only lifesaving supplies, but hope. Hope that in a world where governments like ours choose to do nothing as a livestreamed genocide occurs, that there are people out there willing to risk it all to save lives. It reminds us of the good in this world. I am so grateful and thankful to them for stepping up where governments have failed.
"The treatment of these Australians at the hands of Israel has shown that Minister Wong's strategy of trying to appease a genocidal bully doesn't work. Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong remained silent while these humanitarians were aboard the flotilla and then imprisoned by Israel, but surely they should hold Israel to account for illegally abducting, imprisoning and abusing Australian citizens, and for the genocide in Gaza.
"Palestinian people are still dying every day. They are still being starved. I have no doubt that people will take to the streets and take to the oceans until there is justice, long-lasting peace and liberation for Palestinians."
