By Heather Stroud
Israel is very adept at drawing attention away from itself and onto other countries as it carries out its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. In a recent incident when the ‘Conscience’, an aid boat attempting to reach the starving people of Gaza, was hit by drones (likely fired by Israel) a few miles out of Maltese territorial waters, all attention descended upon the Maltese authorities.
The vessel was flying the flag of the Pacific Island of Palau, however prior to the drone hit, Palau withdrew the registration leaving the crew vulnerable to accusations of being without official papers. Israel had also made accusations of terrorism, claiming that the crew of activists were Hamas militants. There is no basis to the claim that the peaceful activists have any military connections or intentions. The crew are internationals of conscience, who had gathered together from various countries in an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza, carry essential supplies and draw attention to the desperate plight of people in Gaza.
A nearby Maltese tug boat was the first to arrive to the boat’s aid, having been alerted by the authorities to the SOS distress call. The tug boat was equipped with a fire hose and managed to totally extinguish the fire. However, with holes in the boat from the drone attack and extensive damage to the generator, the boat has been slowly taking on water. When the authorities arrived shortly after, the captain of the Conscience’ informed them that the crew would not abandon their vessel or let any of the authorities board it.
The fears by the crew of sabotage from an unknown person or persons boarding their boat, are not unrealistic. Besides incidents of sabotage, activists from the earlier Freedom Flotilla Coalitions, in attempting to break the siege of Gaza, have experienced deaths, arrests, theft and the destruction of vessels. In 2008 the ‘Dignity’, was rammed – with clear lethal intent by the Israeli military. The damage was so extensive the boat was taking on water leaving it totally unseaworthy. Although the authorities in Israel and Egypt ignored the call for help, the Lebanese responded and rescued the sixteen international activists on board. In 2010, ten activists were murdered by the Israeli military. In 2018, Dr. Swee Ang a passenger on the ‘Al Awda’ freedom boat, describes how prior to reaching the Gaza coast line they were boarded by the Israeli military, arrested, humiliated and stripped naked. There boat was confiscated.
The young, well known environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, is already in Malta and along with other internationals hopes to join the ‘Conscience’ as early as possible. However being well known is no guarantee of survival or success as orthopaedic surgeon David Halpin can testify from his experience on the ‘Dignity’. The Israelis have a documented history of committing crimes against anyone – Palestinian or international, if they are perceived to challenge their Zionist aspirations to turn all of Palestine and beyond, into a Jewish State.
The Maltese authorities agreed to allow the boat to come into Malta and to assist with repairs, however they insisted that the boat go through the normal customs procedures of inspection. The Maltese Navy, with concerns for Malta’s security and a responsibility for the security of those on the boat from further attack, blocked all vessels from approaching the Conscience’. Included in those blocked, from the area around the boat, were activists connected with the freedom flotilla. This led to a stand off between the two groups as each tried to express their own security concerns while also addressing the vessel’s evident need for assistance.
All eyes turned away from Israel’s war crime and toward Malta. Sandwiched between Zionist political pressure from Israel on one side, and on the other side, pressure from international humanitarian groups, the Maltese authorities were thrown into the spotlight as the potential villains. The Maltese people, along with the internationals, were ready to hold a protest in the capital city of Valletta in support of the humanitarian venture. However the protest was called off after it appeared that the crew and supporters of the ‘Conscience’ were in genuine negotiations with the Maltese Government.
This is a narrative that is still unfolding. It remains to be seen how the Maltese authorities will respond, however whatever the outcome of the negotiations between the activists and the Maltese Government, we must remind ourselves that the real villain here is, not Malta, but Israel. If justice is ever to be achieved, the Israeli Government must be held accountable for its ongoing theft and coveting of Palestinian land. Only then will Palestinians be free of this hundred year plus catastrophe that has led to displacement, occupation, and genocide.
Heather Stroud is an activist
9 May 2025
Source: countercurrents.org