SHAH ALAM, Apr 6 — The Global Sumud Flotilla will once again depart for Gaza on April 12 in its latest mission to break Israel’s illegal blockade on the Palestinian territory, its secretariat announced yesterday.
The humanitarian mission, described as the largest ever mobilised by civil society, will set sail from Barcelona with 80 vessels and more than 1,000 activists.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla sails because the cost of inaction is too high,” the secretariat said in a statement issued from Barcelona.
“This is a direct resistance against walls, blockades and systemic violence (by Israel against Palestine), while catalysing organised political and solidarity movements worldwide.”
The mission will also include a Malaysian activist group, which is scheduled to be announced by organiser Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM) at a press conference today.
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has been appointed to represent Malaysia in leading the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Egypt to help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He is also scheduled to monitor the flotilla’s departure in Barcelona on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Prior to that, he will lead Malaysia’s aid mission to Palestine, which is set to be delivered via the Rafah border crossing in Egypt on Friday.
The aid comprises 30 containers carrying various necessities, weighing a total of 374 tonnes.
Israel has tightened its blockade on Gaza since October 7, 2023, after imposing restrictions on the territory since the early 1990s.
This will be the third mission to break the Israeli blockade within 12 months and the second involving the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Two missions last year were halted in Gaza waters after being intercepted and detained by Israeli forces.
