The Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of approximately twenty vessels carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, was forced to return to its port of departure in Barcelona at dawn today due to severe weather affecting northeastern Spain. According to sources within the organization cited by Iberian media, the decision was made to ensure the safety of the crews and over 300 activists on board, including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg.
Organizational sources told the Efe news agency that a meeting is currently underway to decide how and when to restart the mission. In a statement, the flotilla’s organizers said, “Due to dangerous weather conditions, we conducted a sea trial and returned to port to wait out the storm. This has delayed our departure to avoid complications for the smaller boats.” They cited winds exceeding 30 knots and the unpredictability of the Mediterranean as reasons for the delay, emphasizing that the “safety and well-being of all participants” is the priority to ensure the mission’s success.
This change in schedule has also altered the plans for other boats set to join the flotilla from the Italian ports of Genoa and Sicily, as well as from Tunisia and Greece. The organizers intend to set sail again from Barcelona this early afternoon.
The flotilla’s plan is for all vessels—roughly 50 boats with 500 activists, politicians, and volunteers from 44 countries—to rendezvous in international waters on September 4th before proceeding to the coast of the Gaza Strip, with an expected arrival in mid-September.
Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has presented the government with a plan to stop the flotilla. As reported by the Jerusalem Post, Ben-Gvir stated that any arrested activists would be subject to prolonged detention in Israeli prisons typically reserved for terrorists, specifically the Ketziot and Damon facilities. They would be denied special privileges such as TV, radio, and specific food. “We will not allow those who support terrorism to live in comfort,” he declared.
Ben-Gvir further suggested that all participating ships would be confiscated and repurposed for Israeli law enforcement, asserting that such a seizure would be legal as the government views the flotilla as an illegal attempt to breach the blockade of Gaza, not merely a political act. He vowed that Israel would not tolerate “soft arrests” or the quiet return of participants, stating, “We must create a clear deterrent. Anyone who chooses to cooperate with Hamas and support terrorism will meet a firm and uncompromising response from Israel.”
In a related diplomatic development, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel clarified that his government has no obligation under international law to provide protection to the Global Sumud Flotilla. This statement came in response to the participation of three Portuguese citizens, including Left Bloc MP Mariana Mortágua. Minister Rangel emphasized that the initiative is a civil society project and that “the Portuguese state did not organize this mission and has no ties to it.”
This is a developing story.*