Pro-Palestinian campaigners are gearing up to depart from Spain on Sunday in what is being described as the biggest aid flotilla yet, calling on world leaders to pressure Israel to lift its naval blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla – named after the Arabic word for “steadfastness” – will involve dozens of vessels and hundreds of participants representing 44 nations, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese leftist politician Mariana Mortágua.
Over the past 15 years, Israel has intercepted numerous flotillas, most notably in 2010 when a raid on a Turkish-led convoy left nine activists dead. In June, Israeli forces also detained a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg.
Palestinian organiser Saif Abukeshek, based in Spain, urged governments to intervene:
“They must take action to uphold human rights and ensure this flotilla can travel safely,” he told Reuters in Barcelona.
