-
15:45
-
15:15
-
14:45
-
14:15
-
13:45
-
13:15
-
12:00
-
11:30
-
11:00
Follow us on Facebook
Greta thunberg leads humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza
A large humanitarian flotilla, led in part by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail from Barcelona on Sunday with the declared aim of challenging the blockade of Gaza. The initiative, called the Global Sumud Flotilla, is presented by its organizers as the “largest mission of solidarity in history.”
The departure took place under the slogan: “When the world stays silent, we set sail.” Organizers say the vessels will attempt to open a humanitarian corridor and denounce what they describe as “ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.”
Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila said the flotilla would surpass all previous attempts in both scale and participation. Additional boats are expected to join the mission on September 4 from Tunisia and other Mediterranean ports, while solidarity actions are being planned in more than 40 countries.
Greta Thunberg, who serves on the flotilla’s steering committee, emphasized that such initiatives should not be necessary. “This should be the duty of our governments to defend international law and prevent war crimes, but they have failed. It is up to ordinary citizens to act,” she told AFP.
The flotilla brings together activists from dozens of countries, as well as European politicians and public figures such as former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. Portuguese MP Mariana Mortágua argued that the mission is legitimate under international law.
The term sumud, which means “steadfastness” in Arabic, reflects the flotilla’s declared independence from any government or political party.
This effort follows previous attempts to deliver aid to Gaza. In June, a smaller vessel, the Madleen, carrying 12 activists of various nationalities, was intercepted by Israeli forces west of Gaza’s coast.
The humanitarian initiative comes as the United Nations warns of famine in Gaza, where the war has left half a million people in catastrophic conditions. According to UN-verified figures, more than 63,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israeli operations since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 dead.