- Global Sumud Flotilla Departs from Barcelona for Gaza.
- Greta Thunberg and Liam Cunningham Join Mission.
- Genoa Dockworkers Warn of European Cargo Ban.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set off from Barcelona on Sunday, featuring between 20 to 50 vessels and around 300 crew members and activists on board. This marks the fourth flotilla of the year and the eighth overall since the initiative began to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Unfortunately, all previous attempts have been intercepted at sea, primarily by Israeli commandos operating in international waters, reports Marine Insight.
High-Profile Participants
Notable figures joining this mission include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. The flotilla plans to make a stop in Tunisia on September 4 before heading toward Gaza, where it’s anticipated to arrive by mid-September. Organisers have mentioned that weather delays have already impacted their schedule.
Dockworkers Issue Warning
At the port of Genoa, one of Europe’s largest, dockworkers from the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) union have issued a stern warning. A spokesperson stated that if communication with the flotilla is interrupted “even for 20 minutes,” dockworkers will block all cargo destined for Israel across Europe. He emphasised that from Genoa alone, “13,000 to 14,000 containers leave every year for Israel, and not a single nail will leave anymore.”
Public Support in Italy
The initiative has garnered significant public support. Residents in Genoa organised a donation drive that collected hundreds of tons of food and goods, bolstered by a $1.2 million contribution from the populist Five Star Movement. On Saturday night, around 40,000 people participated in a torchlit march through the city to show solidarity with the flotilla. Mayor Silvia Salis also joined in, expressing her pride in representing Genoa’s spirit of humanity and solidarity.
Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza
The flotilla’s departure comes at a time when conditions in Gaza are deteriorating rapidly. U.N. agencies have raised alarms about impending famine, citing severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies.
Genocide Scholars’ Assessment
The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the largest professional organisation of its kind in the world, has added to the ongoing debate by releasing an assessment that claims Israel’s actions in Gaza fit the UN’s definition of genocide. They based this on official statements and the situation on the ground, but Israel has rejected these findings outright.
In response, Israeli leaders have vehemently criticised the flotilla. According to local media reports, which reference sources close to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, activists could find themselves facing detention in “terrorist-level” prison cells for weeks, and their boats might be confiscated and repurposed by Israeli police.
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Source: Marine Insight
