The first ships of the Flotilla arrive in Barcelona with Palestinian flags

BarcelonaNasser (a pseudonym) survived the bombings that shook his home in Gaza City day after day for two months until, in early 2024, he managed to flee with his family to Egypt. From there, and with the support of some acquaintances, he reached Spain. "Like so many others, I lost friends and family," he explains. "I was forced to pull the bodies of children, friends, and neighbors from the rubble. And now, from a distance, the images that reach us poke at the wound: one no longer knows what limits Israel has yet to cross, if any," he adds.

On Saturday morning, Nasser arrived at the Muelle de la Madera in Barcelona to see the first ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which began arriving at the port around 1:00 p.m., one of which he will embark on for his native Gaza. His voice, muffled by the chants of "Free Palestine" from the audience, indicates that he isn't afraid of what might happen to him. "We have to do it for those who are still there, for those who have been killed. I, who can, owe them; we, who can, owe them," he adds emotionally.

El Nasser will be one of more than 300 people participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to the Strip, aboard one of more than 50 boats that will depart tomorrow, Sunday, from the port of Barcelona, ​​​​as well as from several ports in Italy and Tunisia, as explained by Sauk. These figures seek to turn this initiative into "the largest solidarity mission" that has been carried out so far to break the Israeli blockade. The objective is clear: "To establish humanitarian corridors that allow the arrival of aid, although much of it is already at the Rafah border crossing [with Egypt], unable to enter because of the Israeli blockade," highlights the Spanish-Palestinian Saif.

The fleet begins its journey through the Mediterranean in a critical context, after 22 months of Israeli siege in Gaza, which has already left nearly 63,000 victims, according to the Gazan Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is preparing to take control of Gaza City, which will cause more refugees to enter already overflowing camps. More than two million Gazans are concentrated in just 14% of the Gaza Strip, while the rest is occupied or declared a combat zone, according to the UN, which Last week he declared a famine situation in Gaza City.

Saif himself avoids talking about fear, insecurity or the dangers that the mission entails – even more so after that Israel stop the recent missions Handala and Madleen– and refers these issues to international leaders. "These questions must be asked of governments, who must defend human rights and end genocide," specifies the mission's organizer.

In recent hours, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has referred to the security of the humanitarian mission in statements to RAC1, assuring that the embassies closest to the route, such as Tel Aviv itself, will expand protection measures for the nationals on board.

The mayor of Barcelona himself, Jaume Collboni, also showed his support for the humanitarian mission in a message after his return from Turkey, noting that "the mission not only brings humanitarian aid, but also hope to thousands of people living in desperate situations." The message was accompanied by a video of support from the mayors of Bethlehem and Ramallah, cities in the West Bank, which the mayor was unable to visit. last week because the Israeli government did not grant him an entry visa to the country.

On the eve of the flotilla's departure, the Muelle de la Madera was filled with international celebrities who showed their support for the humanitarian mission. Among them was Irish actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role as Davos Seaworth in Game of Thunder, and activist Greta Thunberg, who is attempting to enter Gaza for the second time in a few months and was seen smiling on one of the boats. These names are joined by Jordi Coronas, a member of the ERC (Republican Revolutionary Party) party at Barcelona City Council, who will be aboard as captain of one of the boats, alongside former mayor Ada Colau. Support has extended beyond the port: messages of encouragement have appeared on social media from actress Susan Sarandon, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela (a Nelson Mandela-esque figure), Jordi Évole, and performers such as Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar.

This international echo reinforces the global nature of the initiative. "The horror has united us as a family," said Cunningham at the opening ceremony. A statement that contrasts with the words of Josep Borrell, former High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Commission, less than a week ago, when he warned that Europe's inaction will lead to "the loss of its soul in Gaza." From Barcelona, ​​more than 26,000 volunteers and activists from 44 countries are trying to prove otherwise.