The first three sailboats of the Global Sumud Flotilla have arrived at the main port of Syracuse, Italy. They were greeted by a crowd of approximately two thousand people at the Foro Italico (Marina), where the Syracuse Pro-Palestine Committee had set up informational stands about the war.
Journalist Antonio Mazzeo, who was previously aboard the Handala which also departed from Syracuse, spoke from a stage, alongside Maso Notarianni of the project TOM (Tutti gli occhi sul Mediterraneo – All Eyes on the Mediterranean). The TOM project vessels will accompany the flotilla for a portion of its journey across the Mediterranean en route to Gaza. The flotilla’s departure, initially scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed due to adverse sea and weather conditions. The vessels are now set to depart from the port of Augusta on Sunday, October 7th.
Speakers at the event criticized the nearby Sigonella military base. “There is another Sicily,” they stated, “and it does not stand with the Sigonella base, which plays a role of death by supporting the genocide perpetrated by Israel. The departure of an Israeli cargo ship, which is presumed to be carrying weapons to be used against the Palestinian people, was authorized. These departures from Sigonella happen with the authorization of the Italian government. We must organize initiatives and reclaim our universities and public squares.”
Mobilizations were also announced to protest the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying football match between Italy and Israel, scheduled for October 14th in Udine.