Media Release: Melbourne Man Joins Flotilla to Break the Siege of Gaza

7 July 2025 – for immediate release

Rob Martin, a retired businessman from Clyde North, will fly to Italy tomorrow to join the international campaign to break Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip.

The activists intend to sail from Sicily on Sunday 13 July carrying urgently needed humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza.

“I have lots of Palestinian friends and feel that I have to do this,” said Martin. “I couldn’t live with myself if I just sat at home day after day watching refugees being shot for trying to feed their families.”

This will be the third attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break the siege of Gaza this year. On 2 May, the Conscience was attacked and set on fire by an Israeli drone off the coast of Malta, and on 9 June the Madleen, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg, was attacked by Israeli drones in international waters before being boarded by Israeli troops.

“This year, none of the activists have been killed, but we all recall what happened in 2010 when Israeli troops killed ten activists who were trying to break the blockade,” said Martin. “I’ve got a partner, three daughters and a grandson whom I love terribly. Of course I’m scared but I read somewhere that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. I can’t stop the genocide on my own but I’ve got to do whatever I can and I feel privileged to be a part of this.”

For more information or comment, contact: info[at]fpmelbourne[dot]org

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See also Freedom Flotilla Coalition announcenments on instagram post / facebook post

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