The Resilience Fleet Sets Sail from Barcelona to Break the Gaza Blockade

SadaNews - On Sunday, a fleet carrying activists and humanitarian aid departed from the Spanish city of Barcelona in a renewed attempt to break the illegal blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing genocide against the territory, as confirmed by the initiative's organizers.

The organizers of the fleet, named the "Global Resilience Fleet," stated that the ships leaving the Catalan port aim to "open a humanitarian corridor and put an end to the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people."

The organizers did not specify the number of ships participating at this stage, but indicated that dozens of other ships from Tunisia and Mediterranean countries will join later on September 4, in addition to coordinating concurrent activities in 44 countries around the world.

The fleet's spokesperson, Saif Abu Kask, stated that "the initiative will work tirelessly until the blockade on the sector is broken and the genocide in Gaza is stopped." He elaborated that their main goal is to break the longstanding blockade and convey a message of solidarity to the besieged people of the sector.

Abu Kask noted their awareness of the potential dangers during their voyage to Gaza, saying: "We know Israel may take some violent measures against us, but no risk we face can be compared to what Palestinians endure daily." He added: "We may be late, but we will never give up."

Abu Kask emphasized that their message to the world is clear: "Everyone must ask themselves: What have you done to prevent genocide?" He stressed that mobilizing efforts and organizing grassroots initiatives is a moral duty that falls on every individual.

In Barcelona, thousands gathered to bid farewell to the participating ships, expressing their support for the largest non-governmental maritime fleet heading to Gaza. The fleet is made up of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Gaza Global Movement, the Resilience Convoy, and the Malaysian "Solidarity Nusantara" organization, consisting of thousands of activists.

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila stated to reporters in Barcelona last week that "this will be the largest solidarity mission in history," pointing out that the number of participants and ships "will surpass all previous attempts to reach Gaza."

The steering committee of the fleet reported that more than 30,000 people joined the initiative, emphasizing that "we cannot remain silent in the face of what the genocidal state is doing in Gaza," and that "we must act to end the global complicity with the ongoing crimes against Palestinians."

Members of the fleet explained that they are taking action today "to ensure that this is the beginning of a path to Palestinian independence, and to stop the death and famine in the Gaza Strip." The committee added: "We embark on this journey to end the Zionist colonialism of Palestinian lands."

The steering committee indicated that "any assault on the fleet is considered a war crime," expressing confidence in the activists' ability to break the blockade imposed on Gaza. They considered the sailing of this fleet as "evidence of the international community's failure to uphold the rules of international law."

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, a member of the steering committee, wrote on Instagram that the move aims to "reach Gaza and deliver aid, then announce the opening of a humanitarian corridor and bring in more supplies to definitively break the inhumane blockade."

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Thunberg stated that "such a mission should not be necessary, as the responsibility to break the blockade lies with governments and elected officials," adding that their inaction "represents a betrayal of Palestinians and humanity as a whole."

She continued: "Unfortunately, it is up to us, ordinary citizens, to organize this fleet."

Various activists from several countries, including political figures like former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and European MPs, including leftist Portuguese parliamentarian Mariana Mortágua, who emphasized that "the mission is legal under international law," are participating in the initiative.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that Madrid "will use all its diplomatic and consular capabilities to protect its citizens participating in the fleet." The "Global Resilience Fleet" defines itself on its website as an organization "independent and not affiliated with any government or political party."

This initiative follows the failure of a similar attempt on June 9, when the Israeli navy intercepted the sailing vessel "Madalene" about 185 kilometers west of the Gaza coast, which carried 12 activists from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.

The fleet's departure coincides with escalating international accusations against Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, including before the International Criminal Court and the United Nations. The UN had officially declared a state of famine in the sector last August.