Israel-Hamas war, Gaza genocide

[SvennoJ]

Largest flotilla for Gaza hopes to pressure Israel to end blockade

Pro-Palestinian activists preparing to set sail from Spain on Sunday for Gaza in dozens of boats carrying aid have called on governments to pressure Israel to allow their flotilla – the largest to date – through the naval blockade.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua were among hundreds of people from 44 countries due to depart from several ports to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Sumud means “perseverance” in Arabic.

Israel has scuppered numerous attempts over its 15 years of blockade, including a 2010 boarding by its special forces, in which at least nine Turkish activists were killed.

The ball was in the politicians’ court to put pressure on Israel to let the flotilla through, said Saif Abukeshek, one of the organisers.

“They need to act to defend human rights and to guarantee a safe passage for this flotilla,” the Palestinian, who is a resident in Spain, told Reuters on Thursday in Barcelona.

In June, Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg, among others.

Greta Thunberg, preparing to set sail for Gaza to break Israeli siege, says they have ‘no choice’

Activist and Global Sumud Flotilla steering committee member Greta Thunberg told Middle East Eye the inaction of governments worldwide over Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has forced civilians to take action, as they “simply have no choice.” “When our governments and those in power fail to step up, it falls on us as human beings to step up and take that responsibility,” Thunberg emphasised.

Thunberg is set to sail to Gaza on 31 August, along with dozens of other activists from more than 40 countries, to break Israel’s illegal siege of the strip and open a humanitarian corridor.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jtEdXE7UU-E

Yasemin Acar says Global Sumud Flotilla ‘determined to break the siege’ on Gaza

Speaking to Middle East Eye, Yasemin Acar, an activist and member of the steering committee for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said that hundreds of activists from around the world are determined to break Israel’s siege on Gaza. Dozens of boats and ships from 44 countries will set sail on 31 August to reach the shores of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. It is set to be the largest maritime civilian mission since Israel’s siege began in 2007.

 

GAZA AID LIVE: Largest Flotilla Departs Barcelona to Break Israeli Blockade

Activists from 44 countries launch the largest-ever flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade, urging governments to ensure safe passage for the mission.