Global Sumud Flotilla On Their Way to Gaza

Socialist Socialist Sep 3, 2025 02:38 863

Global Sumud Flotilla On Their Way to Gaza

The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprised of over 50 ships and hundreds of activists from 44 countries, has sailed from Barcelona on their way to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. This flotilla is the largest humanitarian aid effort trying to pass through the Israeli marine blockade so far. The ships carry large quantities of food, medicine and essential goods.

The activists describe themselves as “ a coalition of everyday people—organizers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, lawyers, and seafarers—who believe in human dignity and the power of nonviolent action.” The ships have set sail from the Spanish ports and are expected to reach Gaza in 7-8 days.

 

Support From Activists and Workers

Many prominent activists that have participated in previous flotillas are taking part in Global Sumud Flotilla, such as Greta Thunberg, Kleoniki Alexopoulou, Yasemin Acar and more. With the rise of Palestinian solidarity movements in all around the world and especially in the West, hundreds were seen during the sail of the flotilla from Barcelona, representing the size of the movement, organization and militancy.

 

Maybe the most important part of all this movement is the workers’ militant tendencies. Militant trade unionists in Genoa have said dockworkers will “block Europe” if the world loses contact with the global Sumud flotilla. To stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Palestine solidarity movement must be rooted in that same militant trade union action if we are to challenge the economic power of the imperialists backing the genocide.

 

No Ships Sailed from the Docks of Turkey

Turkish activists wishing to join the flotilla have traveled to cities such as Barcelona, Genoa and Tunis to get on the flotilla’s ships. It is reported that the Turkish delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla didn’t even make a request from the Turkish officials of setting sail from the country, as such a request was denied in the past. This decision to not make a request is a strategic one, the activists say. “Our goal is to break the blockade and ending the genocide. If ships were to sail from Turkey, they would be stopped without even leaving the country by the influence of Israel. We remember Mavi Marmara. This is why a European activist centered strategy was adopted…”

Some PM’s in Turkey state that the government does not look favorably on ships joining the flotilla from the country’s docks. It doesn’t come as a surprise as dozens of activists still fight legal battles after their detainments and arrests in Gaza protests. Many people, mainly those on the left, are highly criticizing the Turkish government’s continuation of trade and diplomatic relations with the Zionist state of Israel. The calls to end all relations with Israel coming from the political organizations and NGO’s were met with police violence and oppression.