Gaza aid flotilla Protesters gathered in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Tunisia and Argentina after Israeli forces intercepted a fleet of vessels carrying aid to Gaza. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is among the passengers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Israel intercepted multiple boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip late Wednesday, generating outrage and displays of solidarity from across the globe.
Italian unions call for general strike as global protests grow and multiple governments criticise Israel.global leaders as protesters
global leaders as Gaza aid flotilla protesters
gather in cities around the world, including Istanbul, Athens, Buenos Aires, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid, to condemn the raid.
At least 44 countries were represented in the 500-person flotilla, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Malaysia, Turkiye and Colombia.
UK Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn statement
“History will side with the flotilla”
The Streets Erupt
Crowds filled city squares and streets across continents, waving Palestinian flags and chanting for freedom. In South Africa and Turkey, thousands demanded accountability, while in Europe and the US, demonstrators called on their governments to stop backing Israel’s blockade.
Palestine
Palestinian Foreign Ministry on X
condemns Israel’s attack and aggression against the Global Sumud Flotilla”
more he added The Global Sumud Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters, and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law
Colombia
President Gustavo Petro announced on X
That his government was expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling Colombia’s free trade agreement in light of Israel’s actions.
He said Colombia “must pursue all the appropriate demands, including through Israeli courts” to ensure the return of its citizens.
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told local media
Israel had assured him there would be “no violent actions” against the flotilla.
Italian unions separately called for a general strike on Friday to show their solidarity with the GSF and Gaza, following a strike in September by Unione Sindacale di Base and other protests at Italian ports.
Greece
Greece issued a joint statement with Italy earlier this week, calling for Israel “to ensure the safety and security of the participants and to allow for all consular protection measures”.
Turkiye
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Israel’s intervention “an act of terrorism” that violated international law and endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
South Africa
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.”
Pakistan
what he called a “dastardly attack” by Israeli forces on the flotilla, saying that he was praying for the safe release of those detained. Sharif said: “This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.”
A Turning Point?
The Gaza aid flotilla was meant to symbolize solidarity. Instead, its interception has sparked outrage that could mark a turning point in global pressure to end Gaza’s blockade. Activists vow they will not be silenced:
“If one flotilla is stopped, another will sail.”
What’s Next?
As Gaza aid flotilla protests grow, diplomatic tensions are likely to intensify. Activists have vowed to continue organizing aid missions despite the risks, insisting that the world cannot remain silent while Gaza suffers.
Whether this surge of global outrage will translate into concrete political action remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the plight of Gaza continues to resonate across borders—and the world is watching closely
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