New Matilda editor Chris Graham recently returned from a three week trip to the Middle East, which included a brief stint in an Israeli prison.

Chris was there to report on the 2018 Freedom Flotilla, an attempt by activists from around the world to break the decade long naval blockade of Gaza by the State of Israel. It was Chris' second attempt to reach Gaza, after being turned away in December 2016.

The boat Chris was on - Al Awda - was raided by the Israeli Navy in international waters on July 29. The raid was clearly illegal under international law. All 22 passengers, including Chris, were briefly jailed, then deported from Israel.

In the course of the story, Chris lost $9,000 worth of computer and video equipment, after two unsuccessful attempts to rendevous with a boat near Greece to offload equipment. Both attempts were blocked by Greek authorities (under pressure from Israel), which followed three separate raids on the Al Awda by Italian authorities (also under pressure from Israel).

On the morning of the Israeli raid, Chris threw most his equipment into the Mediterannean, in order to avoid it being taken by the Israeli Government. The equpiment he kept on board (after wiping its contents) was seized by the Israeli military and confiscated, as was the electronic equipment of most participants in the Flotilla. 

Chris is writing a feature series about the trip, which will be progressively rolled out in New Matilda over the next few weeks.

The $10,000 will be used to cover the cost of the trip ($6,000) and to replace some of the equipment lost during the story.

It included:

1 x Macbook Pro

1 x iPad Pro

1 x iphoneX

1 x iPhone 6

Any additional money raised will be directed to New Matilda's contributor's budget to continue reporting on the Palestinian struggle. If more than $20,000 is raised, Chris will begin planning a third attempt at reaching Gaza, in order to bring New Matilda readers 'on the ground reports' on what's really happening in Gaza City.