Gaza flotilla leaves Barcelona

A large humanitarian ‘Global Sumud Flotilla” has left Barcelona with essential supplies for Gaza, which continues to starve under Israeli blockade and bombing. Earlier flotillas and their volunteer crews have faced attack and abduction by the Israeli occupation, but have raised international awareness of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. The convoy, which will grow to more than 70 vessels and over a thousand participants as it sails, is the fifth flotilla to set sail since the beginning of 2025 and the largest so far.

Large crowds of well-wishers turned out on a grey day to see the volunteers on their way, as footage and photos provided by crew member and former parliamentary candidate Corrie Drew show:

The Israel lobby and its media brigades have already started their attacks. The Jerusalem Post crowed over the fact that bad weather means the supposedly “faltering” flotilla will not leave the Spanish coast until a local storm passes. It also questioned why the convoy is leaving during a supposed ceasefire in Gaza — ignoring the fact that Israel is murdering Palestinians and stealing territory daily in typical ‘you cease, we fire’ fashion, and continues its illegal starvation blockade.

However, spirits and defiance among the crew are high. Organisers say that boats will continue to sail until Gaza is free and open. Irish actor Liam Cunningham, who supports its mission, said that:

every kilogram of aid on these ships is a failure [of state government], because all the people on these ships who give their time to help their fellow human beings are doing what their governments have a legal obligation to do.

Featured image via the Canary