Jews Against the Occupation ’48 organised a “From Gadigal to Gaza Origami Flotilla” action at Coogee Beach on May 3 in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and the people of Gaza.
It was supported by several groups, including Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace, Socialist Alliance, Stop War on Palestine and Eastern Suburbs for Palestine.
Around 70 people took part, including children who spent the morning making and arranging the origami boats on the sand. We sang, danced and ate slices of watermelon. It was a beautiful gathering of hope and friendship on a perfect sunny autumn day; it made us all smile — some much-needed bittersweet joy.
As, as in the past, our gathering was targeted. Randwick City Council attempted to stop it from happening, with Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld moving to block it on spurious claims around approvals, insurance and public impact.
There is no requirement for a small, informal gathering to obtain formal approval or an insurance bond. There was also no evidence it would affect public amenity, safety or the environment. His move was political; he does not want anyone to support the people of Palestine.
We went ahead, keeping numbers to a maximum of 70, and sticking to our plan that it was not be a protest but an invitation to come to the sand, make colourful origami boats and lay them out facing the sea.
Our Bondi Flotilla event on Father’s Day last September was hijacked by Zionist and neo-Nazi agitators intent on confrontation. We did not want a repeat of that.
Police were present, but so too were 30 Zionists, draped in combined Australia-Israeli flags. They lined up on the promenade, chanted obscenities with no regard for the children present, called us “Hamas terrorists” and complained that they were being prevented from entering a public beach. They were not; they could have gone anywhere except where we were gathered at the north end.
Nevertheless, some Zionists made their way down to harass us. At one point, an Israeli flag was placed over a Palestinian flag. Police then moved them back.
The double standard is obvious. If a pro-Palestine group had turned up to abuse a Zionist gathering, particularly with children present, the police response would have been vastly different.
Despite the provocation, the morning’s focus remained clear. We sent our love to Palestine and to the brave souls of the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were intercepted and kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces, especially Spanish Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila who are being held hostage and tortured.
We shared our solidarity with the Australians who were kidnapped and held on the prison boat, along with around 180 others, following their interception at sea.
We spoke of the pride we have for Anny Mokotow, our comrade and JAO48 member whose vessel avoided interception and is now anchored off the coast of Crete, awaiting the next move towards Gaza.
After the event, the same thugs who had harassed us on the sand followed me into the car park. My car registration was read out and I was told, “We’ll remember that”. I reported that threat to the police. The individuals denied it. So, case closed? As always, only the safety of certain types of Jews is the state’s concern.
[Judith Treanor is a member of Jews Against the Occupation ’48.]
