Freedom Flotilla and Thousand Madleens refuse to stop sailing to Gaza

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which has sent humanitarian vessels on earlier attempts to reach Gaza with aid, and the new Thousand Madleens mass group of boats – named after one of the FFC vessels attacked and seized by Israel – have said they will not stop sailing to Gaza, despite Israel’s mass, criminal attack on the Gaza Sumud Flotilla’s fifty ships and their volunteer crews on Wednesday night.

In a joint statement, the groups said:

Israel has illegally attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla, sailing to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza. Communications have gone dark, cameras are offline and the flotilla’s boats are being boarded by armed and masked commando forces. This is yet another breach of international law – an attempt to silence those who dare confront Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, while governments shield Israel with diplomatic cover and military aid.

We name this for what it is: impunity, made possible by political cowardice and complicity.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza stand firmly in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and every human rights defender aboard. Their actions are part of a collective refusal to accept the siege of Gaza as normal. Their presence on those boats is a reminder that silence is not an option, and that people across the world are choosing to act.

We will not stop.
We will keep sailing.
We will continue challenging Israel’s illegal blockade.
We will keep confronting genocide, apartheid, occupation, and mass starvation— until Gaza is free, and justice is no longer a dream but reality.

Featured image via YouTube screenshot/Freedom Flotilla Coalition