Extract from ABC News
Julia Henry says she hopes her gesture helps to "make someone in a position of power sit up, take notice, and act". (Facebook)
In short:
Julia Henry, a wife and mother of four children from Hobart, is headed to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which describes itself as "the largest civilian maritime mission organised to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza".
Ms Henry's husband said he was "deeply concerned" about her safety and that he "didn't want her to go" — expressing concern over alleged drone strikes which have targeted boats.
What's next?
The Australian government has warned "previous attempts to break the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza have resulted in injury, death, arrest and the deportation of foreigners".
A Hobart woman who said she could no longer "ignore the relentless images" of "endless horror" from Gaza has joined a flotilla of activists, which has allegedly come under attack from drone strikes.
Julia Henry, a 47-year-old wife and mother of four children from Hobart, is taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which describes itself as "the largest civilian maritime mission organised to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza".
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg pictured at a press conference before the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla from Barcelona in August.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is overseen by a steering committee made up of activists from around the world, with Swedish climate and political activist Greta Thunberg a recent addition.
In a letter to media, Ms Henry said she was not a" typical activist or campaigner".
"When I see suffering, I've always acted, and I have marched for causes I believe in, but I have never taken direct action, let alone travelled to the other side of the world do it.
"But when I saw an advertisement seeking volunteers for the mission, I was immediately seized by an urgent need to do something."
Ms Henry wrote she "could no longer look away or ignore the relentless images of innocent men, women and children caught up in the endless horror".
The flotilla currently consists of around two dozen ships and is moored off the coast of Tunisia in Northern Africa, after leaving Barcelona at the start of this month.
The flotilla's main boat, the Portuguese-flagged Familia Madeira, was hit by what organisers said was a drone strike on late Monday night local time while moored in Tunisia — a claim denied by local authorities, who said a "fire broke out in the life jackets on board a ship".
Familia Madeira was carrying six people at the time of the incident, including Greta Thunberg, but no-one was injured.
There have since been reports of a second alleged strike on another one of the flotilla's ships, the British-flagged Alma, also moored in Tunisia.
Supporters of the Global Sumud Flotilla in Tunisia, September 10, 2025. (Reuters: Jihed Abidellaoui)
Members of a different flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla, were intercepted by Israel in June as they neared Gaza, and were subsequently detained and deported, including Greta Thunberg.
Ms Henry said she and the rest of the flotilla were aware of the risks they were facing.
"We know we are putting our families and loved ones under stress, and we all wish we didn't have to be doing this," she wrote.
"We know we will be called stupid, naive, reckless. We know people will say, 'What difference can you possibly make with such a gesture?'"
"What business does a privileged, white, professional, suburban mum have in global affairs?"
Ms Henry said "none of this is lost on us".
"But this reaction shows just how numb we have become to the relentless suffering and endless tragedy unfolding on our TV screens every night.
"Yes, my gesture is small in the scheme of things, but I hope it at least makes someone in a position of power sit up, take notice, and act."
Ms Henry's husband, Sam Edwards, said in a statement he was "deeply concerned" about her safety and that he "didn't want her to go".
"The risks of even reaching Gaza were already significant — and that was before confirmed reports of drones being used against vessels," he said.
"I urged her to reconsider, but she understood the potential consequences and I respect her commitment.
"My only wish is for her to return safely."
Warnings of 'injury, death, arrest'
In a statement, Ms Henry's local federal member, Julie Collins, said she "understands Australians and people around the world feel distressed and want to do what they can to help deliver aid".
"But we don't want to see Australians, nor anyone else, harmed.
"And what we know is that previous attempts to break the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza have resulted in injury, death, arrest and the deportation of foreigners."
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