The Global Sumud Flotilla wasn’t just carrying 600 brave humanitarians intent on bringing desperately needed food and medical supplies to Gaza’s starving and injured people.
It was also carrying the hopes and aspirations of millions of people worldwide who ache with longing for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza to end.
As I write, I learn that the Israeli navy has illegally boarded most boats and kidnapped their occupants including six Australians two of whom are from our area, Surya McEwen and Juliet Lamont. We have inundated the phone lines of Wong, Albanese and DFAT and the only message we get is that the government is fully aware and is monitoring the situation.
Compare this with Colombia, which has severed its Free Trade Agreement with Israel and expelled all its diplomatic staff!
According to US Senator Bernie Sanders, America has donated $20 billion to Israel since October 2023, and has paid for 70 per cent of the costs of Israel’s genocide in Gaza!
This is Australia’s AUKUS friend who takes our tax dollars to build nuclear submarines and F35 warplane parts!
We protest! On Saturday, October 11, Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine will assemble at Railway Park at 2pm and march to Apex Park calling for an immediate ceasefire, an unrestricted flow of food and medical aid into Gaza, the release of all prisoners held by Israel and the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
