Above photo: NurPhoto via AFP.
NOTE: Below are Instagram posts from the Global Sumud Flotilla regarding their interception by the Israeli Occupying Forces. This is an evolving situation. Below those is an article from The Cradle about an earlier failed attempt to intercept the Flotilla. In response to this illegal attack on the Flotilla, masses of people are protesting throughout the European Union. Here is a call to action for people in the United States from Veterans For Peace (VFP). Members of VFP are on the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Veterans For Peace has put together a Rapid Response toolkit, and we encourage EVERYBODY to start taking action NOW, or to be preparing your chapter to take action.
VFP members have prepared THREE levels of Rapid Response- Green, Yellow and Red. Green is for actions you can be taking before the Flotilla is intercepted, such as calling Congress, the State Department, etc. Yellow is for public protest actions you can take when the Flotilla is intercepted (though you can also make calls). Red is for escalation to direct action to demand freedom for our imprisoned veterans and other Flotilla volunteers.
The Green Toolkit is here. It includes a link to Yellow actions, for when the Flotilla is intercepted.
We are also discussing bolder Direct Actions (Red) for when we are demanding that our fellow veterans be freed from Israeli jails. We can share those with you later (or use your own imagination).
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View this post on Instagram
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Global Sumud Flotilla announces failure of Israeli interception attempt.
Israel has accused the activists on board of being Hamas-linked, and is preparing a large-scale operation to seize the aid boats.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement on 1 October that it thwarted an Israeli interception attempt as it got closer to Gaza.
Wael Naouar, a spokesman for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said the Israeli navy tried to block the lead ship, which managed to pass unopposed. He also said a second interception attempt failed when Israeli vessels were bypassed as they were trying to block a second boat.
“The Zionist vessels today intercepted Alma, the lead ship, but the other ships ignored Alma and continued toward Gaza,” he said. He went on to say that when the flotilla regrouped around the second boat, the Israeli navy attempted the same thing but was met with the same result as “the rest of the flotilla … continued their journey to Gaza.”
He added that Israeli warships tried to hinder the flotilla and disperse it, but failed. “Even if you stop 47 vessels, the 48th will continue on to Gaza.”
A large Israeli warship was spotted near the flotilla hours earlier. Communications were reportedly also scrambled.
Tel Aviv is currently preparing to intercept the flotilla, which is nearing Gaza and is due to arrive in the coming hours.
A special task force has been set up to intercept the boats in an operation that will be carried out by the Israeli army, Shin Bet, the police, and the Foreign Ministry.
The activists will be taken ashore, arrested, and deported – while anyone who refuses will remain in Israeli custody.
According to Israeli state television and the Ynet outlet, the Israeli Navy’s elite commando unit Shayetet 13 will seize control of the flotilla’s ships. Activists will be taken ashore by naval vessels, and upon arrival in Israel, will be sent to Ktziot Prison.
Some ships will be towed to shore, while others may be sunk, the reports said. Around 500 police will be deployed to Ashdod Port during the disembarkation of activists, and hospitals in Ashdod and the surrounding areas have been ordered to prepare for casualties.
“As we sail closer to Gaza, we remain vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked. Keep your eyes on the mission. Keep your eyes on Gaza. We sail on undeterred by Israeli threats and tactics of intimidation,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said early on Wednesday.
On 30 September, Tel Aviv accused the Global Sumud Flotilla of having ties to Hamas.
In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed troops found Hamas documents in Gaza which show a “direct link between the flotilla leaders and the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Following the latest drone attacks last week, Italy redirected two navy ships toward the fleet of aid boats. A Spanish vessel is also escorting the flotilla.
Yet Global Sumud Flotilla has accused Italy of “sabotage” due to comments made by Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who blasted the flotilla as “irresponsible” and said they risk undermining peace following US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan announcement.
“[The Italian government] is choosing to escort us only to the point of danger and then try to peel us away, delivering us back to shore empty-handed, as Israel continues to slaughter and starve the Palestinian people with complete impunity. We say again: The flotilla sails onward,” the flotilla said.
Meloni’s government has proposed handing over the aid to Cyprus and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for delivery to Gaza – an office in the Catholic Church with jurisdiction over Catholics in Israel and surrounding regions – to assume responsibility for delivery.
Her proposal aligns with Israeli demands that the aid be delivered to the port of Ashkelon, directly north of the Gaza Strip, so the aid can be transferred under Israeli supervision. The flotilla has rejected the demands.
