FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 22, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
International Coalition Announces Global Campaign to Break Gaza Blockade and Deliver Humanitarian Aid
Renowned Activist Medea Benjamin Joins Press Conference in Istanbul
ISTANBUL — On Thursday at 11:30 am, a coalition of international peace and humanitarian advocates, including CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin, will gather for a press conference to announce an initiative aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza and delivering crucial humanitarian aid to those trapped in Israel’s oppressive siege on the densely populated city.
The coalition, comprising several Arab and international bodies, institutions, and prominent personalities, will unveil their campaign. Key participants include:
- The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza
- Popular Congress for Palestinians Abroad
- "Miles of Smiles" Caravan
- League of Parliamentarians for Jerusalem and Palestine
- Trade union bodies from Egypt
- Institutions and bodies from Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Tunisia, Türkiye, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The campaign aims to collaborate and coordinate with individuals and organizations worldwide, fostering an urgent humanitarian effort. Cooperation is sought from both Arab and Islamic countries, as well as the international community, including popular and official parties, charitable and relief institutions, and specialized organizations dedicated to breaking the Gaza blockade.
The coalition plans to dispatch at least three ships from various global ports to navigate towards the Gaza Sea. These vessels will carry urgent relief and humanitarian aid to address the pressing needs of the Strip, contributing significantly to breaking the illegal siege imposed on Gaza.
The coordinated effort seeks to provide basic necessities, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, support their steadfastness in their land, and boost their morale in the face of occupation.
Medea Benjamin's Involvement:
Renowned activist and CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin, a Jewish U.S. citizen with a longstanding history of Palestinian solidarity, will be joining the press conference in Istanbul. Benjamin's notable contributions include coordinating six or more delegations to Gaza in 2009, leading the Gaza Freedom March in the same year, and facing denial of entry into Egypt in 2014 during an international delegation for International Women's Day in Gaza. Benjamin's commitment to challenging U.S. policies on Israel is evident in her multiple arrests, including the most recent one in late October 2023 during a session featuring Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in the U.S. Congress.
For more information, please visit https://savegazza.com
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CODEPINK is a grassroots peace and social justice movement that emerged in 2002 in response to the Iraq War. Committed to promoting diplomacy and disarmament, CODEPINK engages in creative, nonviolent actions to address issues of militarism, injustice, and inequality. With a focus on women-led initiatives, the organization strives to build a world free from violence and oppression, advocating for a just and sustainable peace. CODEPINK's vibrant activism spans a range of global and local campaigns, amplifying voices for positive change and challenging policies that perpetuate conflict.
