Despite the very recent repatriations and arrests of activists by Israel, a new expedition of the Global Sumud Flotilla is ready to set sail for Gaza on Thursday 14 May. The starting point is the port of Marmaris, in the Turkish province of Mugla, a short distance from the island of Rhodes.
The news was made official by the organizers during a meeting with the media held in the Turkish town. According to what was reported by Sumeyra Akdeniz Ordu, Turkish activist and member of the organizing committee, the expedition will include a total of 54 vessels, of which around thirty boats came from Greece and the remaining units were already present in Turkish territory.
Two weeks ago the boarding by Tel Aviv and the arrests. “We decided to continue”
Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, among the leaders of the mission, confirmed the imminent departure: “I am here to officially announce that tomorrow our mission will continue towards Gaza”. Abukeshek also explained the political and humanitarian reasons that push the group to challenge the blockade, declaring that around 500 volunteers will be present on board the fleet: “The genocidal government of Israel is a brutal force of violence, they have no respect for human rights, they have no respect for international law, taking into consideration all this and what has been happening for years in Palestine we have decided to continue”.