Former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, has set sail for Gaza alongside about 40 other boats.
He is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian maritime mission organised to challenge Israel’s siege on Gaza.
Those on board, representing numerous countries, include climate justice advocate Greta Thunberg and actor Susan Sarandon.
MANDLA MANDELA SPEAKS OUT
The flotilla is calling for urgent global action to end what they describe as genocide against Palestinians and to confront the international complicity enabling the siege.
The South African delegation consists of 10 people, including Mandela himself. Speaking ahead of the departure, Mandela said a million people in Gaza are being starved to death.
“We have over 40 boats that we have been able to mobilise, with 44 countries that have come together. Ours is simply to end the blockade and break the siege on Gaza. We are bringing humanitarian aid, which is much needed by the Palestinians,” he said.
Mandela further stated that Israel poses a threat not only to Palestine but to the global community as a whole. Delegations from Malaysia, the United States, Brazil, Italy, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, the Netherlands, and Colombia, among others, are also participating.
GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA SETS SAIL IN TWO WAVES
Mandela said a million people in Gaza are starving to death as he spoke ahead of the departure.
The boats will carry medical supplies, nutritional aid, and solidarity crews, converging in the Mediterranean before attempting to reach Gaza.
The mission is demanding an end to the alleged siege, the use of starvation tactics, the dehumanisation of Palestinians, and genocide. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, doctors, lawyers, journalists, activists, and artists will be on board the boats.
“All sailing to stand in solidarity with Gaza and declare: You are not alone,” said the organisers.
DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE A TURNING POINT FOR HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN GAZA?
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