Barcelona prepares to see the humanitarian flotilla set sail for Gaza

BarcelonaWatch out for the Global Sumud Flotilla to set sail from Barcelona to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The initiative, announced a couple of weeks ago by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, will have a dual mission: to open a corridor to deliver aid to the Palestinian civilian population and to raise awareness worldwide of the need to get involved in "breaking Israel's illegal siege of Gaza."

The flotilla will feature the participation of hundreds of activists from 44 different countries, including former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who announced this Wednesday her intention to board one of the initiative's boats. Colau confirmed this through her Instagram account, where she argued that "ending the genocide in Gaza is everyone's duty" and insisted that if governments, including that of Spain, do not act to stop what she calls the "criminal state of Israel," it will be the responsibility of the citizens to do so.

The mission, which will depart for the third time to the Gaza enclave with the aim of bringing aid to more than two million Palestinians, has generated great expectations throughout the world and has received public support from personalities such as Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, the actors Game of Thrones– or Jordi Évole, Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar, among many others.

The expedition will combine vessels departing on August 31 from the port of Barcelona and five days later from Tunis, and will become "the largest organized humanitarian mission," according to Saif Abukeshek, a member of the organization. The flotilla is expected to travel the Mediterranean Sea for seven to eight days until reaching the shores of Gaza.

Cultural Countdown

In Barcelona, the initiative will begin this Friday at the Moll de la Fusta, where cultural and political activities will be organized throughout the weekend to raise awareness about the mission and the situation in Gaza. Sarandon is expected to be present at some of these events, and singers such as Macaco and Morad will also perform, along with several Palestinian artists.

Beyond material aid, the initiative aims to convey a political message: to denounce the blockade imposed by Israel and demand an end to the siege. According to the organization, more than 62,800 people have died in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict, 83% of them civilians, and for the first time, famine has been officially declared in the city.

This will be a new attempt by activist Greta Thunberg to reach Gaza after her expulsion last June. The ship Madleen, on which she was traveling and which was also transporting humanitarian aid, was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters.The twelve occupants on board were arrested and deported, and the ship was escorted to the Israeli port of Ashdod. Israel justified the action as necessary to prevent the arrival of Hamas sympathizers.