Flotilla approaches Gaza
Friday 26 September 2025, by Mariana Mortágua, Paul Murphy
The Global Sumud flotilla is on its way to Gaza. Several dozen boats will try to break the blockade and open a humanitarian corridor. Some thoughts from those on board.
“Compared to the horror in Gaza, it’s nothing”
Paul Murphy (Ireland): There’s a genocide, you know about it, you can see it, you know that 60,000 people were killed. As was the case in Ireland, there is an organized famine. So, we have a duty to do something and put pressure on our own governments to act accordingly.
All those who participate in the flotilla run the risk of being arrested by the Israeli army and detained. We can’t know what will happen. It is possible that the boats will be sabotaged in the port and that they will not be able to leave, there is the possibility of an attack at sea – we saw drone attacks a few months ago.
And there is the possibility of being kidnapped in international waters, being taken to Israel and being detained there. This is what happened most of the time. There is therefore a personal risk in this action. But compared to the horror that people in Gaza are experiencing, this is nothing, absolutely nothing.
“Our conscience is now in Gaza”
Mariana Mortágua (Portugal): We are on our way, and I would like to ask you something. This is your third attempt to go to Gaza. I’d like to know why you keep trying?
Greta Thunberg: We promised the Palestinians that we would continue to do everything in our power to liberate Palestine. Giving up is simply not an option. When we are confronted with oppression, genocide, war crimes that happen every day, it is our duty to stand up and act.
And we will come back until we have reached our goal. What we are doing now is responding to the call of the Palestinians to end the complicity of our states, acting in solidarity with them and using all the means at our disposal, such as these boats, or even our own bodies to try to get there.
You are known for your activism on the environment. Why does a person from Sweden or Europe, who has spent their life doing something else, think it’s important to be here?
I have not changed my orientation in my activism. I always act in accordance with the same values. I always act according to the principles of justice, sustainability and well-being for humans, the planet and our ecosystems. For me, these principles are extremely interconnected. We cannot have climate or environmental justice if people are being bombed and starving. We cannot care about ecosystems if entire countries are destroyed and entire peoples die of hunger.
In short, what is happening in Gaza is at the heart of our morality. Our conscience is now in Gaza. What is happening to the Palestinians is an extension and an attack on humanity as a whole.
I think you have explained very well why we are here. To tell the government of Israel that other people will come after us, until a humanitarian corridor is opened.
Attached documentsflotilla-approaches-gaza_a9190.pdf (PDF - 904 KiB)
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Mariana Mortágua
Mariana Mortágua is the national coordinator of the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) in Portugal and since the 2025 their only member of parliament.
Paul Murphy
Paul Murphy is a member of RISE in Ireland. He was re-elected to the Irish parliament in 2019, having been first elected in 2014. He was previously an MEP for the Socialist Party (2011-14).
International Viewpoint is published under the responsibility of the Bureau of the Fourth International. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect editorial policy. Articles can be reprinted with acknowledgement, and a live link if possible.
Global Sumud Flotilla Boats Attacked by Israeli Drones
The vessels were in waters off the Greek Island of Crete
As the Israeli government continues unabated its horrific genocide of Palestinians and the destruction of housing and infrastructure in Gaza, in the third attack on the 42-ship Global Sumud flotilla, drones attacked multiple boats in international waters southwest of the Greek island of Crete, the morning of September 24, 2025.
In May 2025, another flotilla ship, the Conscience, was attacked in international waters off Malta. It was damaged by Israeli bombs that blew holes in the deck of the ship’s bow causing severe damage in the hold in the bow of the ship.
These assassin drones have ruthlessly and systematically killed hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza over the past two years.
14 Sailboats Attacked by Chemical Devices, “Flashbangs” and Detonation Cords
Fourteen sailboats have been confirmed to have been attacked in the early morning hours of September 24 using chemical devices or “flashbangs” on steroids.
Detonation cords dropped from drones landed on several boats very near fuel cannisters.
Mayday Signal Sent to Greek Coast Guard Went Unanswered
When the drone attacks began, the flotilla sent a Mayday signal to the Greek Coast Guard, but not surprisingly, no Coast Guard vessel arrived to check on what was happening to the boats.
In 2011, the Greek government was paid off by the Israeli government to stop ten flotilla boats from departing Greek waters to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
Attacks on Global Sumud Sailboats
The following are brief descriptions of the some of the drone attacks:
- Ohwayla (US Veterans Boat) was hit by a small flashbang.
- A chemical device poured a caustic substance onto Yulara but the capsule that was releasing the chemicals bounced and fell on the water. One person was burned by the chemical.
- Otaria was hit by a flashbang at midmast.
- Maria Cristina was targeted twice by a flashbang above the deck.
- Selvaggia (Women’s Boat from Italy) was hit by a flashbang.
- Morgana was hit by a flashbang.
- Zefiro was hit by a flashbang. Confirmed damage to the rigging.
- Taigete sustained some damage to the mainsail
Videos describing the attacks
This is link has a series of videos in which the attacks are described:
https://x.com/dropsitenews/status/1970627127792775584?s=12&t=LmTi29WSk5nIuU-BzL6sHw and “Flashbangs” on steroids: https://www.instagram.com/p/DO9zPp9AjiG/
U.S. Citizens on the Flotilla
Of the approximately 550 persons on the approximately 50 boats of the Global Sumud flotilla, there are 22 U.S. citizens, including five military veterans on board the boat Ohwayla
Their names and congressional districts are:
- Phil Tottenham (OH 01)
- Zue Jernstedt (NY 10)
- Greg Stoker (TX 37)
- Zuleyka Morales Rivera (WV 01)
- Jessica Kaye Clotfelter (IL 16)
In addition, U.S. veteran Najeh Abduljalil (NV 02) is on Familia boat.
Other US citizens on the Ohwayla are:
- Logan Hollarsmith (AZ 06)
- Windfield Beaver (CA 23)
The following U.S. citizens are on other GSF boats (with Congressional districts for calling):
- Carsie Blanton-Paola (NJ 07)
- Eric Lein-Jeannot III (NY 02)
- Adnaan Stumo-Mikeno (MA 01)
- Tor Stumo-Huga (MA 01)
- Paul Reid-Hio (OR 03)
- Jasmine Ikeda-Meteque (WA 02)
- Michael Fix-Familia (NY 16)
- Tom Marcus-Familia (NY 15)
- Hannah Smith-Familia (CO 02)
- Geraldine Ramirez-Mali Mali (AZ 02)
- Stephen Wahab-Alma (OR 05)
- Leila Hegazy-Alma (NY 11)
- Idris Hausler-Alma (lives in the Netherlands)
- Frank Romano-Spectre (NY 01)
Italy Sending a Navy Frigate to Support Global Sumud Flotilla
Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that the country is sending a navy frigate to support the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, after it was targeted by multiple drones on September 24.
Italy had earlier urged Israel to guarantee the safety of the aid ships and the Italian activists on board, noting that members of parliament and MEPs are also part of the flotilla.
Sixteen nations have warned Israel to respect international law and not attack the flotilla. In a joint statement the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Türkiye said, “The Global Sumud Flotilla has informed about its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza. We therefore call on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla and to respect international law and international humanitarian law. We recall that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability.”
Israel Says It Will Not Allow Vessels to Enter an Active Combat Zone and Will Not Allow Any Breach of the Naval Blockade
Israel, which blocked two previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza by sea in June and July, has said it will not allow the flotilla to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.
“Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade. If their intentions are sincere, they should transfer any such aid to the nearby Ashkelon Marina so it can be forwarded promptly to the Gaza Strip in a non-violent manner,” foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said.
As the world knows, Israel is blocking the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying medical and food aid to starving and sick Palestinians in Gaza.
Take Action
- Contact US Government Offices and Officials Demanding Action Against the Israeli Genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians in the West Bank…and the Israel Bombing of flotilla ships carrying food for the starving Palestinians in Gaza.
White House 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414
Department of State Operations Center: 202-647-1512
Congress – Demand that your Senators and Representatives:
- Speak out publicly condemning the attack, call for accountability and the flotilla’s safe passage.
- Direct the State Department to protect U.S. citizens on board.
- Use the power of the purse under Article I of the Constitution to hold Israel accountable and immediately introduce legislation that cuts off U.S.
You can use the template letter we have provided. Feel free to make an edit or rewrite to make it your personal message. You can also:
- Leave a voice message. Dial the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Click here to find your Congressional delegation. - Go further: Contact the members of Congress with constituents on board.
- Organize vigils, protests, and teach-ins. Make the crisis visible in your communities. This is also an excellent opportunity to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people and to push for an end to the genocide.
- Organize Direct Actions to disrupt complicit entities and dramatize our commitment to resist U.S. complicity in genocide.
- Pressure the media to cover this story of bold, international action to stop genocide. Write op-eds, contact local outlets. Use social media to call out those who enable propaganda. Demand honest coverage.
- Build coalitions with immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, antiracist and pro-Palestinian justice movements, union locals, and any groups fighting censorship and free speech crackdown.
- Stand with BDS: Just as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions were crucial in ending apartheid in South Africa, they remain a legitimate nonviolent tool against Israeli apartheid and genocide.
- Be creative. Be visible. Be loud. Make your voices heard.
First published at Peace Planet News.
Our eyes on the flotilla, not on the UN
Tuesday 23 September 2025, by Édouard Soulier
While Gaza City is reduced to ashes, media attention is focused on the futile and poisonous posturing around ‘recognition of the State of Palestine’. We must not lose sight of grassroots solidarity, support the Global Sumud Flotilla, isolate Israel and counter the process of normalisation.
The assault on Gaza City is underway. The Israeli army is systematically destroying residential buildings, including iconic towers. Residents are being forced to gather a few belongings and flee within minutes. The aim is to make any return to normal life impossible in a city that is much older than Israel. The rest of the Strip is a giant graveyard. One study estimates that 200,000 people have been killed in Gaza over the past two years, 10% of the population. A massacre. A genocide.
A vain and poisoned recognition
Yet the UN General Assembly has endorsed the Franco-Saudi resolution on ‘recognition of the State of Palestine’, which also calls for an immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Among the countries that voted against it are, unsurprisingly, the United States, Israel, Argentina and Hungary. Despite appearances, this resolution actually marks a setback for Palestinian rights. It makes no mention of genocide or war crimes and is obviously not binding. Worse still, according to the analysis of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"... thanks to major commitments made by the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries for peace and security for all in the region. This roadmap involves an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages; it involves the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; it involves the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the governance of Gaza; it involves normalisation between Israel and the Arab countries.
Thus, Israel’s security is systematically invoked, but never that of the Palestinians. The ‘peace process’ depends on commitments made by the Palestinian Authority, not by Israel. The resolution demands the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the governance of Gaza — in other words, Palestinians are stripped of their right to decide for themselves, and in reality the aim is to prohibit them from any armed resistance. The real purpose of this text lies in the carrot offered to Israel: normalisation with its neighbours.
Amplifying active solidarity
But even this normalisation will probably not be enough to stop Israel, which has shown its ability to be at war with everyone. After decimating part of the Yemeni government, Israel attempted to bomb the Hamas delegation present in Doha for ceasefire negotiations at the request of the United States. Not only does this literally torpedo the process, it is also a military intervention in a major ally of Washington. There is therefore no other prospect in the short term than Israel’s headlong rush forward. Without a balance of power, without sanctions or military intervention against Israel, resolutions will have no impact. Israel, drunk with its impunity, has repeatedly stated that there will never be a Palestinian state.
The only solution is to increase Israel’s political and economic isolation. Active solidarity demonstrations must challenge Israel and its impunity. Mobilisation is having an effect: it contributed to the cancellation of the Vuelta cycling race due to the participation of the Israeli team. This is a breach in normalisation and an example to follow. With dozens of boats and nearly 50 nationalities represented, the flotilla set sail again on 13 September. The incendiary attacks did not dampen their determination. The Global Sumud Flotilla will therefore become a focal point for the solidarity movement. We must be ready to demand that Western governments do not allow a massacre in international waters.
18 September 2025
Translated by International Viewpoint from l’Anticapitaliste.
Attached documentsour-eyes-on-the-flotilla-not-on-the-un_a9184.pdf (PDF - 899.5 KiB)
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Édouard Soulier
International Viewpoint is published under the responsibility of the Bureau of the Fourth International. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect editorial policy. Articles can be reprinted with acknowledgement, and a live link if possible.
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