Three people from Sieben Linden Ecovillage on the great peace march to Gaza
This article was originally published at Sieben Linden Ecovillage website by Simone Britsch 13th of June 2025
Hundreds of activists from over 40 countries have gathered in Cairo (Egypt) to take part in the Global March to Gaza. With a three-day, 48 km march to Rafah on the Gaza border starting on 12 June, they want to clear the way for humanitarian aid to reach the besieged enclave. Irma (80 years old), Jnana (48) and Carl (25) from the Sieben Linden Ecovillage are three of them. With the ‘March to Gaza’, they are also calling for an immediate end to the deaths in Gaza.
Defending human rights, denouncing genocide
After 18 months of war and weeks of blockades of aid by Israel, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. 2 million people are suffering from acute hunger, lack of medical care, ongoing violence by the Israeli occupation forces and unprecedented neglect by the international community. The March to Gaza says STOP. The activists of the March to Gaza are ready to put their bodies on the line and take on the role that our governments have neglected: defending human rights and denouncing genocide. Jnana: ‘I want to walk for the ceasefire, because of course human rights must also apply to the people in Gaza.’ Of course, as the daughter of a Jewish mother, Jnana is calling for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages too.
Grassroots movement from civil society
Melanie Schweizer, one of the German organisers, in the newspaper ‘Junge Welt’:
“We are a grassroots movement from civil society that has come together in recent weeks and is growing very quickly. We are made up of individuals, not NGOs or organisations. Among them are doctors who were in Gaza themselves and also Palestinians from the diaspora. Or people like me, who can no longer accept the blockade of Gaza.”
Delegations from 40 countries set off for peace
Delegations from 40 countries are now said to be involved and more than 100 organisations are supporting this campaign. In Germany, for example, it is the ‘Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East’, the ‘Jewish Anti-Fascist League’, ‘Palestine Speaks’ and ‘Health for Palestine’.
The movement emphasises the strong involvement of Palestinians in this campaign. The Arab world is also taking part in an Al-Soumoud convoy, with three hundred vehicles carrying protesters from Tunis to Egypt.
Non-violent action
‘March to Gaza’ positions itself very clearly as a peaceful protest movement: “We will not break any barriers or borders. Our goal is to negotiate with the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah terminal, in cooperation with NGOs, diplomats and humanitarian organisations.” Jnana from Sieben Linden puts it this way: “As we are marching for peace, we will embody peace. We will act in a de-escalating and peaceful manner at all times.”
Donations only to the individual activists
The movement does not accept donations in order to remain independent. Individual participants can collect donations on their own initiative to cover their travelling expenses, which could amount to at least EUR 1000. In Sieben Linden, we have pooled funds for Carl.
A moving farewell in the ecovillage
Before the departure of the three participants from the ecovillage, 50 people formed an encouraging farewell circle in Sieben Linden. The ecovillage community expressed their solidarity with the three activists and their goals with songs of peace and good wishes. ‘You have our support and you can be sure of our blessing,’ said many fellow residents. Carl said: “Alongside the positive excitement, I also feel fear. It’s good to know that we have the support of this strong community.”
80-year-old Irma is a role model for many
In a long, politically eventful life, Irma has already demonstrated against Runway West, against factory farming and in favour of agroforestry, among other things, and was on a peace pilgrimage to the West Bank 20 years ago. Having travelled to the West Bank, she is very familiar with the conditions under which Palestinians are oppressed. Many admire the 80-year-old’s courage. “From time to time I have doubts as to whether I can manage the strenuous journey through the heat. But then I feel a great strength again and hear the clear call that I have to go.” She is starting the march from the community of Tamera (Portugal), where she has been doing daily hikes in the heat as preparation training. She hopes for the miracle that the people in Gaza can be free, because ‘as long as the people in Gaza are not free, no one in the whole world is free,’ says Irma Fäthke.
Why do environmentally conscious people from Sieben Linden fly to Cairo?
Because human lives are at stake. Full stop.
And because we think it makes ecological sense: The military is responsible for 5.5% of all CO2 emissions worldwide – not including current armed conflicts – while civil aviation accounts for 2%. The Gaza war releases masses of CO₂ into the atmosphere – according to an estimate by the Guardian, more than the countries of Costa Rica and Estonia together emit in a year. On this scale, the flights of our activists are the lesser evil.
Sideshow: wars are ecological disasters
Most of the 170 square kilometres of farmland in Gaza before the war has now become barren land. Ploughed up by bombs and bulldozers, desertification and a dramatic decline in animal and plant species are now setting in. Soil and water are contaminated by military material. The groundwater table is continuously sinking as a result of years of Israeli occupation, and the military has deliberately destroyed wells and water tanks during the war. What remains is scorched earth – who will ensure the regeneration of the oil systems? Take a closer look with us!
Simone Britsch
Note: This article does not necessarily represent the opinion of all residents of the Sieben Lindens ecovillage and the Freundeskreis Ökodorf e.V. association.
ADDENDUM
Update 14/06/2025
Global March to Gaza, Irma 80 years old: “As long as the people of Gaza are not free, no one in the world is free.”
“I hope for a miracle that the people of Gaza will be free. As long as the people of Gaza are not free, no one in the world is free”
Irma is currently in Cairo after trying in vain yesterday, like Jnana, Carl and hundreds of other activists, to make her way towards the Sinai Peninsula / Gaza/Rafah. Egyptian police and military prevented the people who wanted to take part in the peace march to Gaza from continuing their journey, and the March to Gaza still does not have a permit.
Nevertheless, the three people from three generations Irma (80), Jnana (48) and Carl (25) from the Sieben Linden Ecovillage in Cairo remain resolute and peaceful in their protest. Public attention is important: immediate humanitarian aid for Gaza and an end to the genocide.
Here are three recent posts/videos from our “March to Gaza” participants
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7340057622009597952/?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7340057622009597952%2CFEED_DETAIL%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7339722477952020480/
Irma (80 years old) before her departure from Portugal – this is in English and would also be very suitable for GEN Europe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35mKxZKetKY
Update 17/06/2025
As of today, all activists are coming back, because the repression in Egypt is increasing and one can’t actually hold any meetings or campaigns without the risk of being deported immediately. The March To Gaza campaign was successful, even if the peace march could not take place. The public worldwide is now more aware of the situation in Gaza and has witnessed the determination of several thousand people who are peacefully engaged – with full commitment, including a march through the desert. The protest continues, the Global March to Gaza is a prelude to the next actions. Large demonstrations have been announced in many European cities. Irma says: “We can’t walk through the desert. But the desert is everywhere, for example in front of the Chancellery. We will protest there!”
