Handala decorated with flowers on the last day in Gothenburg

It was the Palestinian group in Gothenburg that was responsible for the last of the three days that Handala has visited the city, and there was an overwhelming flow of visitors who wanted to board to greet and look at the boat. The organizers had sent a message to everyone to say goodbye to Handala with flowers, and the boat is now covered with roses and balloons upon departure from Gothenburg.
Earlier in the day, a graffiti artist arrived and added another beautiful painting to the boat. The Palestinian group had also arranged for children to come on board and draw and paint greetings to children in Palestine. The fair was full of children who wanted to paint for Palestine, and out on the deck smiling parents.
The great drawings now adorn the walls of the fair. The Freedom Flotilla and Ship to Gaza will make another attempt to reach Gaza next summer with Handala, but no one expects that it will ever arrive – it will probably, like previous boats, be stopped and stolen by the Israeli navy. So we’re taking pictures of the drawings and hoping that many will share and send to friends, acquaintances and family in Gaza and the West Bank. Ship to Gaza so sincerely wants the Palestinians to know that they are not forgotten – that there are many who are fighting for their freedom. Upon departure from Gothenburg, we thank Ship to Gaza Sweden who has made an invaluable effort for the cause.
Handala is now saılıng towards Oslo, which is the last stop on this summer’s trip.