Aid Flotilla Faces Troubled Waters
Elizabeth Denton
Staff Writer
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/gaza-bound-flotilla-boat-is-seen-in-tunisian-waters-on-09-news-photo/2237566998?adppopup=trueThe largest aid attempt by sea set off last week to Gaza hoping to provide aid and relief supplies but has been delayed by logistical issues and drone attacks at a stopover in Tunisia.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is a large fleet of ships coordinated, organized, and made up of multiple other organizations such as the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Movement to Gaza, and the Sumud Nusantara. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s website, their goals are to break the siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and ultimately end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. Their plan began this summer, when dozens of boats set sail from ports around the world in the largest coordinated civilian flotilla in history. This flotilla is made of a nonviolent fleet of mostly smaller sized vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean. These ships are legally viable, agile, and overseen by a regional delegation that is provided legal, nautical, and logistical support from the flotilla coalition. The Global Sumud Flotilla is legal under international law because the Israeli occupation’s blockade of Gaza constitutes collective punishment, which is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Because of this violation, civilian vessels carrying aid or engaging in peaceful protests in international waters are protected by maritime law.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua were among hundreds from over 40 different countries on ships in the flotilla this past few weeks, Reuters reports. Over the past fifteen years Israel has stopped numerous attempts to cross the blockade that was imposed in 2007, including an attempt in 2010 where special forces boarded the boat and at least nine Turkish activists were killed. Similarly, in June Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a yacht sailing under the British flag, carrying multiple activists including Thunberg. Israel labeled the aid ship as a propaganda stunt in support of Hamas. In early March Israel sealed Gaza off by land as well, refusing to let in supplies for three months claiming Hamas was diverting aid
The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of nearly 1,000 participants. Notable names include those mentioned before as well as former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. According to Deutsche Welle, the flotilla was welcomed during a stopover in Tunisia last week. The fleet of 50 ships is planned to reach the Gaza Strip within the next few days. The boats are estimated to be transporting around 300 tons of essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medicine. Since 2010 no flotilla has reached Gaza and 63,000 Palestinians, including at least 20,000 children, have been killed thus far.
As of this weekend two vessels in the flotilla set sail for Gaza from Tunisia with the rest set to follow this week. Several boats planned to leave have been deemed ill-equipped to travel, leading to a redistribution of volunteers on board the remaining ships, reports Al Jazeera. A wave of reinforcements currently off the coast of Sicily will join the flotilla at a later point. The aid convoy was originally supposed to set sail for Gaza on Thursday, but logistical issues delayed the departure, as well as possible attacks on the ships.
Two vessels carrying aid and activists were struck in separate suspected drone attacks. According to BBC News, footage posted on Tuesday appeared to show a boat being hit by an object outside the port of Sidi Bou Said, where the ships were kept during the stopover in Tunisia. The Tunisian authorities disputed a drone was involved and an initial inspection indicated the explosion originated from inside the vessel. Other footage was released showing a second boat being hit, Tunisian authorities have yet to comment on the second claim. No injuries were reported in either incident.
In regard to the second wave of ships set to sail off a port in Siracusa, Sicily, Italian authorities have shown support for the activists, around 600 in total from Italy, Greece, and Spain. According to AP News, Italy has told Israel to respect the rights of Italian activists taking part in the flotilla. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament Italy would be monitoring the flotilla and would provide consular and diplomatic assistance to Italians taking part.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
