The flotilla, comprised of the Freedom Flotilla Federation, the Global Gaza Movement, the Steadfastness Flo 16atilla, and the Malaysian organization Sumud Nusantara, includes thousands of activists from 44 countries. It plans to depart from Tunisia on September 4, after departing from Spain on Sunday.
The ships departing from Barcelona are carrying more than 300 activists, including internationally renowned Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez, and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.
"Everyone is required to do something."
In a press conference held before the ships set sail, Thunberg said that Gaza is a clear example of oppression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.
She added that Israel is killing while the entire world watches this genocide live, expressing her shock at people watching the genocide on their phones and then continuing their daily lives as if nothing had happened.
Activists seek to reach the shores of Gaza
She stressed that Israel wants to destroy the Palestinian people, asking, "If what Israel is doing doesn't get people to take action, get up from their couches, and organize themselves (to stop the genocide), I don't know what will."
Thunberg emphasized that everyone is required to do something for Palestine, saying, "By remaining silent, our governments are complicit in this crime and are as guilty as Israel." She emphasized the need to use all means to access Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor.
Regarding the possibility of Israel illegally intercepting the Global Steadfastness Flotilla ships, Thunberg responded: "Our Plan B is clear: to turn back and start again. This is an honorable and humanitarian mission."
"Gaza is a mirror that reflects us all"
For his part, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez said, "Whether we like it or not, Gaza is a mirror that reflects us all," explaining that every ship that sets sail for Gaza is a cry for human dignity.
He stressed that the Global Steadfastness Fleet's mission does not pose a threat to anyone, but rather a humanitarian act against brutality, adding: "Silence means complicity in crime, and silence is as deadly as bombs."
For his part, Irish actor Liam Cunningham called on the international community and governments to stop the genocide in Gaza by imposing sanctions on Israel.
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He added, "What has happened so far, in terms of silence and inaction, is evidence of the world's failure and a shameful period in history."
"Gaza is not alone"
Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau also affirmed her support for the Palestinian people in Gaza, appreciating the role of international civil society organizations in this regard.
She added, "The mobilization demonstrated by international civil society organizations forced cowardly institutions that had not previously dared to act to take a stand. Israel is killing children, humanity, and international law. And Gaza is not alone."
On Saturday, the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza said that the global "Resilience Flotilla" is a "global protest against Israeli crimes."
The committee called on people from around the world to support the flotilla, which it said was "an extension and inspiration of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's efforts since 2010, starting with the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, through successive attempts to break the blockade, and finally the 2025 blockade-breaking waves, which have so far been represented by the ships Al-Dumayr, Madeleine, and Hanthala."
Large crowds bid farewell to the fleet from Barcelona
Since March 2, Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza, preventing any humanitarian aid from entering the territory. This has plunged the Strip into famine, despite the backlog of aid trucks at its borders.
However, about a month ago, it allowed the entry of very meager quantities of aid, which did not meet the minimum needs of the starving. Meanwhile, the famine continues, with most trucks being robbed by gangs under Israeli protection, according to a previous statement by the government media office in Gaza.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The Israeli genocide left 63,459 Palestinians dead, 160,256 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that claimed the lives of 339 Palestinians, including 124 children
