As the Freedom Flotilla III sets sail for the Middle East with the intention of finally breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip, a veteran of the project has expressed hope that such activism against Israel’s oppressive regime will finally bear some fruition.

This marks the third time since 2008 that the flotilla has attempted to reach the Gazan shore, carrying mostly aid for a population hit hard by an Israeli enforced blockade. The project garnered global attention in 2010, when one of its ships, the Mavi Marmara, was raided by Israeli naval commandos. Nine activists on board were killed. Sunday 31 May marked the fifth anniversary since that fateful event.

Swedish activist and musician, Dror Felier was born in Israel but left after refusing to be a part of a planned occupation of Palestinian territories. He has since gained recognition both for his improvisational skills in classical music, and in equal parts his activism against the state of Israel. He also serves as a leading coordinator of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and has been banned from visiting the region until 2022.

Speaking to VOC’s Drivetime, Felier said that whilst music and art remained at the forefront of his focus, every aspect of such art need go hand in hand with freedom. Whether it be freedom of art or freedom in a more broader sense, he said that all forms of freedom were bound together.

Felier said upon the flotilla campaign’s launch following the Gaza conflict in 2008/2009, those leading the project were somewhat out of their depth, with little knowledge on boats and even less finances to undertake the initiative. Their resilience however saw around R5 million in aid raised for the first flotilla, as well as the acquisition of three boats.

“When you sit down in calm and neutral Sweden and you see these atrocities that are done in the name of the Jewish people that I belong to, one day you say to yourself that I cannot watch this anymore without doing something,” he explained.

The musician has faced more resistance from Israeli security than most, owing to his roots within the state. He acknowledged that Israeli authorities were not too fond of his activism, especially since he could not simply be brushed off and brandished as anti-Semitic. This often led to extremely harsh treatment from naval commandos and authorities every time the flotilla’s ships were intercepted.

“By the end of June around the beginning of Ramadan, hopefully we will be in Gaza. Otherwise we will be in an Israeli prison, “he declared, adding that even if their bid to reach the Gazan coast failed, they were still likely to reach the hearts of those in the region. In addition, any resistance on the side of Israel would likely cause friction amongst the nations who had nationals on the boat.

Felier called on South Africans to take the lead in standing up to such oppression, stressing that regardless of the country’s current struggles South Africans still carried much credibility with regards to democracy.

“I hope that the next flotilla will come out from South Africa,” he added.

The Marianne of Gothenburg set sail for Gaza on the 10th May. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)