Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa activist Jayden Kitchener-Waters has announced plans to set sail with the Global Sumud Flotilla in March, standing in solidarity with Palestinians as the Flotilla delivers life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On Monday, Mr Kitchener-Waters shared on Instagram that he will be joining the Global Sumud Flotilla in an attempt to provide humanitarian aid to the enclave.
Departing in March, the Flotilla is set to be the largest coordinated civilian mobilisation to Gaza to date, with more than 3000 participants and over 700 boats.
Those aboard will consist of activists, humanitarians, legal observers and global community members "that are getting sick and tired of seeing governments let this genocide continue," Mr Kitchener-Waters said.
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Ahead of his departure, Mr Kitchener-Waters spoke with National Indigenous Times about his decision.
As a Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man, Mr Kitchener-Waters said the shared experiences of First Nations people and Palestinians underpin his decision to embark on the flotilla.
"It's very easy to see that what's happening to Palestinians is exactly the same thing that happened to our people...our old people, our ancestors were also displaced from their land, had their land stolen from them, were actively killed while white fellas tried to ethically cleanse us," he said.
"I think it's really important that history must always remember the Aboriginal people who stood side by side with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, and history must always remember us as fierce allies and close comrades in this war against injustice, oppression and apartheid."
Mr Kitchener-Waters said the legacy of justice and activism carried by First Nations people has further motivated his decision to join the Flotilla.
"We come from such a staunch line of activists and warriors. I'm talking about Uncle Eddie Mabo's, Uncle Gary Foley's, the Charlie Perkins'...I would not even be thinking about going on the boat if it weren't for those staunch activists who fought for what was right back in the day," he said.
But sailing to Gaza doesn't come without risks. Currently, all flotilla movements to Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli forces, with the most recent being the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla last October.
Speaking on the past flotilla interceptions, Mr Kitchener-Waters argued these actions demonstrate Israel's deliberate attempt to conceal the reality of Gaza.
"They're scared of the world knowing what's actually happening on the shores of Gaza. They're scared of the world knowing the truth, and the truth is that Palestinians are treated awfully," he said.
"There's a genocide that's still happening. The Gaza Strip has been absolutely destroyed and dismantled by Israel, and Israel doesn't want the world to see that."
Beyond the dangers of joining the Flotilla, Mr Kitchener-Waters is also grappling with the personal weight of his decision.
"To be honest, it wasn't an easy decision to make to jump on the flotilla, and the reason for it being such a mentally tough decision is my family," Mr Kitchener-Waters said.
"With the importance I place on family, seeing my family struggle with the decision has been disheartening and has made me sad. But on the different side of the same coin, they have been unbelievably supportive."
But he remains resolute, reflecting on the plight of Palestinian children and their need for aid.
"I've just thought immediately about the children of Palestine, absolutely struggling while living under an oppressive colonial regime, but have continued to be so incredibly resilient, so that's what keeps me motivated and keeps my mentality in a better spot," he said.
"Whatever happens to me is not nearly as bad as what the children of Palestine are going through."
Mr Kitchener-Waters' announcement comes as the Israel-Gaza conflict draws renewed attention after controversial events in February.
Last week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia was met with backlash from the broader Australian community through mass protests in Sydney and Melbourne, with thousands of protestors condemning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to welcome the Israeli President.
Similarly, One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has been criticised for anti-Muslim remarks she made on Monday, with Ms Hanson saying there are "no good Muslims" in an interview.
"The Australian political climate in terms of Islam, Muslims and people from the Middle East is awful at the moment," Mr Kitchener-Waters said.
Speaking on the Australian Government's role in the conversation, Mr Kitchener-Waters said: "In a nutshell, they have failed."
"They have failed their role as politicians for Australia and in looking after Australians. They have failed in their role in the global community, and they have failed the young people who are going to lead the country one day," he said.
"When they are out of power and dead and gone, they'll be nothing but a forgotten shadow in the night, and any conversation about them will always be attached to their disgusting, vile, horrible treatment of Palestinian people, because they are and continue to be complicit in this genocide."
