Big farewell as Kiwi doctors fly out to represent Aotearoa on aid flotilla to Gaza

18 Apr

A passionate haka (pictured above) reverberated throughout the Auckland Airport today, as a medical team of three Kiwi doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters, before flying out to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors hope to be able to reach Gaza and join with other flotilla medics to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid and treat wounded patients in the war-ravaged enclave. Their participation is facilitated by Kia Ora Gaza. (Photo: Jo Currie)

Kiwi medics, Dr Shahin, Dr Idais and Dr Ali salute the airport gathering. (Photo: Achmat Eesau)

Part of the crowd of well-wishers at the airport. (Photo: Jo Currie)

The three Kiwi doctors with fellow health workers at the airport send-off today (Photo: Jo Currie)

Kia Ora Gaza organiser Roger Fowler (pictured with the Gaza-bound NZ doctors) anticipated this current flotilla was ‘shaping up to be an historic event.’ After ignoring six months of horrific genocide in Gaza, the New Zealand government had failed to take a stand he said. ‘They haven’t even lifted a finger.’
The Freedom Flotilla solidarity mission ‘is an international civil society attempt to break through Israel’s illegal siege and end the occupation and slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza’ and deliver over 5,500 tons of urgently needed humanitarian aid. Other speakers included, Green Party co-leader, Marama Davidson, who sailed on the 2016 Women’s Boat to Gaza, PSNA secretary Neil Scott and local Palestinian community leader Maher Nazzel. (Photo: Tayyaba Khan)