Berlin arts venue Oyoun founder joins Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza

The Israeli military has killed over 64,000 people in Gaza since Hamas’ attack on October 7th 2023. As the death toll continues to rise, IDF figures have revealed that civilians comprise at least 83% of Gaza’s death toll. The United Nations recently confirmed that Israel’s siege and blockade have created a man-made famine, already affecting 500,000 civilians and projected to hit one-third of Gaza’s population by late September.

Rights groups have widely condemned the “live-streamed genocide” and say Israel’s use of AI-driven targeting systems has fuelled indiscriminate strikes on schools, hospitals and homes, leaving more than 21,000 children disabled and at least 40,000 injured. Amnesty International and a UN committee have concluded that Israel’s tactics are consistent with genocide.

Sbou said this demonstrates the international community’s failure to step up. “The world has normalised a medieval siege in the 21st century while hiding behind diplomatic platitudes. Governments have failed to ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid and end the starvation — now it’s up to the people to act.”

As a mother, she said it’s not courage but “rage and the refusal to stand by and watch a genocide” that has moved her to join the flotilla. “It’s ‘because’, not ‘despite’ the fact I have children, that I feel a deep sense of urgency and responsibility to act. Dignity and self-determination shouldn’t be up for negotiation.”

Sbou called on the electronic music industry to act. “Platform Palestinian artists and refuse to aestheticise catastrophe. Culture builds social capital; it should also build consequences.”

She added: “In club culture, we’ve seen both extraordinary solidarity and silence from gatekeepers. The industry knows how to mobilise when it cares.” 

In the past year, boycotts have targeted companies like Boiler Room and events like Sónar in Barcelona and Field Day in London due to their being owned by Superstruct Entertainment, the parent company of which is KKR, an investment firm with ties to Israeli cybersecurity, data and defence companies as well as illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Next week, on 17th September, a benefit concert for Gaza will be held in London’s Wembley Arena, Together For Palestine. 

“When children die of engineered malnutrition, we can’t wait for institutions — we all have to act ourselves,” said Sbou. “The flotilla isn’t heroism, it’s a basic refusal to be complicit. Our task is to turn that refusal into pressure strong enough to open the sea routes and keep them open.”