The Global Sumud Flotilla has set sail from Barcelona for Gaza after being forced to return to the Catalan port last night due to a severe storm along Spain’s northeastern coast. The departure was broadcast live on the Spanish public broadcaster TVE. Earlier in the afternoon, the flotilla’s coordinator, activist Saif Abukeshek, had assured that the fleet “is ready to sail.”
The humanitarian mission aims to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and open a humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to the population. The decision to return to Barcelona after initially departing around 3 p.m. on Sunday from Moll de la Fusta was made to ensure the safety of the crews, who are transporting over 300 activists from 44 countries—including Greta Thunberg—and to protect the smaller vessels.
Abukeshek accused Israel of treating flotilla members “as terrorists to justify its crimes.” This statement came after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir presented a proposal to the Netanyahu government to toughen its response to the flotilla’s arrival, which includes designating the activists on board as “terrorists.”
“Israel categorizes all Palestinians as terrorists, whether they are one day old or 100 years old,” Abukeshek stated to the Europa Press agency. “Israel uses this policy to justify the crimes it wants to commit.” The mission coordinator reiterated that the entire operation is legal, as is all the material and aid it carries, and that all participants have signed pledges of non-violence and received corresponding training.
Complicating the mission are not only adverse weather conditions but also stern warnings from Israel. Minister Ben-Gvir’s proposed plan calls for the arrest of activists and their prolonged detention in Israeli prisons typically used for terrorists, such as Ketziot and Damon. Basic privileges like TV, radio, and specific food would be denied. “We will not allow those who support terrorism to live in comfort,” the minister declared.
This position is a source of “concern but will not stop the Flotilla,” stated Maria Elena Delia, the Italian spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, in comments to ANSA. “We will go ahead. We are not intimidated because we know we are operating in full legality.” She expressed hope that the Italian government would intervene should Israel carry out arrests, emphasizing, “We are Italian citizens sailing in international waters. Israel has no right to arrest us and seize our ships… I don’t see how bringing food and water to a population that is dying of hunger, as well as from bombings, can be considered support for Hamas.”
Italian opposition parties have voiced support for the mission. PD secretary Elly Schlein called for European governments, Italy, and the EU to “forcefully send back the threats of Israeli Minister Gvir.” She described the flotilla as “the largest grassroots humanitarian mission seeking to break the blockade of humanitarian aid. In this affair, the only illegal thing is the crimes of the Netanyahu government.” Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte echoed this sentiment, questioning whether Prime Minister Meloni would “set aside selfies with her cap to side with those who choose to commit to stopping this horror.”
In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani commented, “Israel has the right to enforce its laws, but it does not appear to me that those on the Flotilla are terrorists, unless there is someone on board known as a terrorist. In my judgment, they are not terrorists. We must always tell the truth and use appropriate terms.”
Meanwhile, student movements have announced a day of mobilization on September 4th in support of the mission, with protests planned outside the rector’s office at Sapienza University in Rome and other Italian universities.
In a separate development, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to “bury” a hostage deal. The group stated that no agreement for the release of the abductees was considered during last night’s security cabinet meeting. “Netanyahu is sacrificing the hostages and soldiers on the altar of his political survival, while there is a tangible agreement on the table accepted by Hamas,” the forum’s declaration said, noting that 48 hostages remain held by Hamas terrorists in tunnels after nearly two years of captivity.