How to Join the Sumud Flotilla?

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Greta Thunberg, one of the leaders of the Freedom Flotilla sailing in international waters to break the Gaza blockade, told The Guardian: “The UK Prime Minister must fulfill his legal duty to confront the genocide in Gaza.”

Criticizing Keir Starmer’s decision to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, she stated: “There are still no fitting words to describe those who stand on the wrong side of history and support war crimes. Yet, in the absence of such words, we will continue to resist individuals like the UK Prime Minister.”

Referring to efforts by Labour Party members to dissuade Starmer from meeting Herzog, Thunberg said: “The world is waking up, and people are fed up with watching a live-streamed genocide. As global citizens’ efforts to confront this genocide grow, we witness the inaction of those legally responsible for preventing genocide worldwide.”

Herzog’s case at the International Court of Justice gained traction after he held the entire Palestinian nation responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack.

In 2019, Thunberg became the youngest person named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times for her climate activism.

She noted: “The Freedom Flotilla has the support of the global community. People worldwide are waking up. Previously, many were unaware of what was happening in Gaza, but now no one can claim ignorance. Everyone knows that Gaza’s children are starving, and parents are searching day and night for their children’s bodies. As Israel intensifies its genocide, we expand our resistance. We cannot sit and watch a live-streamed genocide.”

Thunberg, along with hundreds of activists, is participating in the Freedom Flotilla’s grassroots operation to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. In July, she and 12 others sailed on the ship Madeleine to break the Gaza blockade but were detained by the Israeli military.

The Freedom Flotilla aims to deliver food, baby formula, and medicine while drawing global attention to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. However, the lives of all convoy members are at risk. In previous similar missions, Israel has killed at least 10 human rights activists and injured many others.

Yasemin Acar, a German human rights activist who sailed with Thunberg on the Madelin, said: “Many people rightly say our work is suicidal because they know what Israel has done to Palestinians. But we do not fear for our lives and carry nothing but humanitarian aid for Gaza’s population.”

Commenting on the potential for Israel to kill Flotilla members, Thunberg said: “Due to the silence of the international community, Israel has a free hand to commit illegal acts. If we base our logic on international law, common sense, and basic human values, there is no reason for Israel to attack the Flotilla. However, since Israel considers itself above international law, anything is possible.”

Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian Flotilla activist, added: “Only the eyes of the international community can protect us from death. We ask people to share news of the Flotilla on social media because increased media and public attention raises the cost for Israel to attack the convoy.”