Wisconsin-Based Human Rights Activist Discouraged After Aid Fails to Reach Palestinians in Need

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 -- 3:00 PM

(Richelle Wilson, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin-based human rights activist Cassandra Dixon was all set to accompany a cargo ship carrying 5,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Palestinians last month. 

According to Richelle Wilson with Wisconsin Public Radio, Dixon planned to board a passenger vessel docked in Istanbul and was ready to join the cargo ship through the international group Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

She was part of a group of nearly 1,000 volunteers including doctors, lawyers and journalists from over 30 countries. The cargo ship, named Akdeniz, passed multiple inspections.

But before it could officially depart for the Gaza Strip, the nation of Guinea-Bissau removed its flag in a move the coalition called “highly unusual” and “blatantly political.” Ships sailing in international waters are required to be registered with a country.

“People were devastated,” Dixon said. “It seemed within reach to deliver the aid, so it was heartbreaking not to be able to.” In a recent interview on “Wisconsin Today,” Dixon said the aid included food and medical supplies that would provide life-saving support to Palestinians who are facing starvation as the war in Gaza continues.

A Turkish organization serving as the primary agency trying to transport this aid is re-routing the supplies from the Akdeniz by land instead of water. Thousands of trucks containing humanitarian aid are lined up at the Egypt–Gaza border awaiting the clearance to make land deliveries. Volunteers were sent back to their home countries, so Dixon is back in Wisconsin awaiting a resolution.

And she said the wait now is heartbreaking. Recently, she watched videos of truck drivers pleading for the outside world to put pressure on Israel to open the border crossing. Some of the trucks had perishable aid that was perishing.

“It’s just 10 minutes away from people who are actually starving (and) in need of that food right now,” she said.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.