Support for Palestinians in Gaza: The Solidarity Convoy Makes Its Move
Activists from Gaza embark on their journey to Egypt from Tunisia
Hop on board, folks! A massive gathering of over 1,700 activists, hailing from Tunisia and beyond, are setting off on a journey to show their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This collective, dubbed as the Solidarity Convoy, hit the road today, starting from Tunis. Their ultimate destination? The Rafah border crossing, linking Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
The tunnel-visioned goal? To bring awareness to the crushing humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza and to vocally denounce Israel's relentless attacks during the region's ongoing conflict. Wael Nauar, the movement's spokesperson, stirs the fires of unity, urging "all free people worldwide" to rally behind the Palestinians. Yahia Sarri, the Algerian coordinator, chimes in with a powerful statement: "Enough with solidarity behind screens, we're hitting the road now, armed with peaceful convoy, amplifying the voices of the world's people."
But the road to solidarity isn't a smooth ride. The Soumoud (“Resilience”) Convoy or Steadfastness Convoy, as it's also known, will venture across Tunisia and Libya, then meander along the Mediterranean coast before reaching Egypt's shores. Their final stop? The Rafah border crossing, a staggering 3,000 kilometers from their starting line in Tunis. The crossing serves as the only passage into Gaza that's not controlled by Israel.
Unfortunately, fellow activists from Morocco couldn't join the party due to ongoing border squabbles between Algeria and Morocco. The convoy's timeline sees it arriving in Cairo by June 12, with the Rafah crossing on the horizon for June 15. However, whether the Egyptian authorities allow the convoy to make the final push into Gaza remains uncertain.
While the convoy rolls on, Greta Thunberg and her crew of activists on a sailing ship were recently grounded by the Israeli army. Their vessel, named the "Medea," was filled with aid for the Gaza Strip residents. The Israeli foreign ministry explained the stop was due to the naval blockade in place since 2007. Thunberg's waterborne journey began in Sicily in response to the devastating violence that unfolded in Gaza following a Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, claiming around 1,200 lives. Israeli counter-attacks resulted in a staggering 54,000 deaths, according to Palestinian reports.
So here's to the brave activists charting their course through difficult waters for a noble cause. May the winds of change bring them safely to their destination!
[Sources: ntv.de, dpa][1] International Middle East Media Centre (IMEMC) https://imemc.org/article/palestinian-solidarity-convoys-departs-for-egypt/[2] Al Jazeera English https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/9/convoys-of-protesters-march-for-gaza[3] Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250609-tunisian-convoy-sets-off-for-egypt-to-raise-awareness-about-gaza-crisis/[4] ReliefWeb https://reliefweb.int/report/palestinian-territory/humanitarian-crisis-gaza[5] Middle East Eye https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-facing-pressure-convoy-gaza-crossing-gaza
- The Commission, in its duty, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers, particularly those involved in this Solidarity Convoy, from the risks related to long travel hours and potential exposure to war-and-conflicts zones along their journey.
- Amidst the turbulence of politics, this solidarity convoy serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the need to protect our environment, as Greta Thunberg's vessel was grounded by the Israeli army during her sail to deliver aid to Gaza.
- As the convoy navigates through lifestyle choices embraced by its members, such as veganism and recycling, it's essential to acknowledge and address the risks associated with their exposure to ionizing radiation during their residency at makeshift camps or during general news coverage on broadcast media.
