Palestine: CPTer Joins “Flytilla”

Facebook
Twitter
Email
WhatsApp
Print

 

John Lynes, peacemakerIn July as the second international flotilla of ships tried to break Israel’s siege on Gaza, hundreds of internationals organized a “flytilla” to Israel’s Ben Gurion airport.  Participants challenging Israel’s denial-of-entry policy, which prevents Palestinians living abroad and internationals from entering the Occupied Territories, carried invitations to visit a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

CPTer John Lynes was among 12 people who flew from the United Kingdom.  In explaining his decision to join the “flytilla” Lynes wrote:

“For years I’ve felt ashamed at the way my Palestinian friends and their Western well wishers have been humiliated, intimidated and dehumanised when trying to enter the West Bank through Ben Gurion airport… The Israelis have destroyed Palestinian airports near Ramallah and Gaza City, so it is now impossible to reach the West Bank except through Israeli Security.

…Normally we go through the tiresome ritual of persuading Israeli authorities that we are innocent pilgrims or tourists.  This time we are going to tell the truth.  And we will refuse to be deported.  The Israelis must either imprison us, or let us proceed.  

…I’m not expecting a smooth passage…  I have chosen this step without bitterness or antagonism.  I wish for the Israelis what I wish for my own children – a life free from fear and hatred.”

Israeli authorities did indeed imprison Lynes and those traveling with him for several days.  Upon arriving safely back home, Lynes wrote to supporters:

“…I was whisked off to a side room with about thirty people.  Later…the men, some handcuffed and shackled, were herded into police wagons in stifling heat and kept for a long time without water.  Eventually [they] deposited us at Ramle Prison in the heart of Israel. 

…We were not told why we had been arrested, so on Monday morning we started a hunger strike, asking to be told the nature of our offence.  This seems to have accelerated our release. 

…I had hoped to reach Hebron to meet old friends.  In that respect I was disappointed.  But our purpose was to focus on the plight of West Bank Palestinians, and in this we seem to have been more effective.”

Subscribe to the Friday Bulletin

Get Hannah’s thoughts and the entire bulletin every Friday in your inbox, and don’t miss out on news from the teams, a list of what we’re reading and information on ways to take action.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Read More Stories

A group gathered at a memorial for migrant victims and deaths

Why do we commemorate?

This week in Lesvos, Greece, a group of us are holding a commemoration in our city’s public square for those who have lost their lives

a protest procession carrying a banner in Leeds, UK 1981

When States set our terms

There’s a story that Britain likes to tell itself. It used to have a problem with racism. After the 1993 racist murder of Stephen Lawrence,

Skip to content