“I Can’t Sit at Home and Do Nothing”: Why Sarah Wilkinson Chose to Risk Sailing for Gaza

Veteran British pro-Palestine campaigner Sarah Wilkinson (62 years old) has joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest maritime mission ever organized to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

Now sailing on one of the flotilla’s ships, Wilkinson told QNN that her decision was not born of sudden inspiration but of despair at what the world’s failure to prevent Israeli genocide and starvation in Gaza.

“It was about losing hope in governments and leaders. They will do nothing to stop the genocide or prevent starvation. It became a necessity,” she told QNN

Her words reflect not only determination but exhaustion with years of activism that, in her view, have failed to halt Palestinian suffering.

“You have to do something. You have to try everything. And the flotilla was the next step of a very long journey of pro-Palestinian activism that has only coincided with the extermination of Palestinian people.”

The mission sails under the shadow of possible violent interception by Israeli forces. But Wilkinson is undeterred.

“Despite the risks, we chose to sail,” she affirmed. “There are risks in everything you do, but these are our brothers and sisters. I can’t sit at home and do nothing.”

For Wilkinson, the flotilla is already more than an act of resistance. It is a symbol of global solidarity on a scale she has never seen.

“It is amazing to see such unity and to be part of it. Whether or not we reach Gaza, there is already an element of victory,” she said.

She pointed to the diversity of the mission as proof of what she calls a “global sumud”; steadfastness made international.

“On board every ship is a different nationality. The entire world is represented. I believe this is the biggest humanitarian mission in human history.”

Wilkinson ended with the image that keeps her moving forward:

“We will be guided by the thought of the children waiting on the beach for the flotilla to arrive. I hope they see the ships, sailing from every part of the world. Inshallah, we will reach Gaza.”