STORY: :: The Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail to try and bring aid to Gaza, despite worries of another interception by Israel
:: Marmaris, Turkey / May 14, 2026
:: Susan Abdallah, Global Sumud Flotilla Steering Committee
"It's very important that we reach Gaza at the moment. The blockade is still on and there is nothing happening. // The aid is not coming in. The genocide never stopped."
:: Katy Davidson, British activist
"I think Israel will try and stop us again. We were already intercepted in between Sicily and Crete, which was a huge shock to all of us. We weren't ready for that at all. And we were entirely shocked by the lack of response from our home countries. The UK did nothing. We were completely abandoned and Greece was complicit."
"I would say that it's important for flotillas to continue because it holds hope, it brings a community together and it gives visibility. It's like we might not reach (Gaza), but every time something happens, like the interception, for example, it creates new awareness to new audiences."
The flotilla left Turkey's Marmaris carrying much-needed aid for Gaza, as global attention has shifted away from the enclave, with the region being engulfed by the impact of the Iran war.
A similar flotilla effort was intercepted by Israel in international waters last month after launching from Spain on April 12.
More than 100 pro-Palestinian activists were taken to Crete, while two others were taken to Israel after being arrested.
A similar voyage last October was also intercepted, with Israel's military arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg among more than 450 participants.
