-Barcelona, 31 August 2025
The Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian maritime mission ever underway to break the blockade imposed on Gaza by the Zionist Occupation, set sail today from Barcelona with a convoy of over 50 vessels and hundreds of activists aboard.
The flotilla, comprising more than 20 boats and over 300 participants (with some sources reporting up to 500), features a diverse group of volunteers—activists, healthcare workers, lawyers, musicians, and public figures—from at least 44 countries.
Among the prominent participants are Greta Thunberg, Ada Colau (former mayor of Barcelona), as well as actors and celebrities such as Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, alongside local Spanish artists and public figures. Likewise, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, will participate in the flotilla, which will be joined on September 4 by other vessels from Tunisia, Italy, and other parts of the Mediterranean.
The flotilla aims to deliver humanitarian aid—including food, water, and medicine—and establish a civilian-led humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza, drawing attention to the genocidal siege on Palestinians and urging governments to act.
Departure preparations featured a string of cultural solidarity events—concerts, workshops, speeches, and rallies—at Barcelona’s Moll de la Fusta, emphasizing public engagement and visibility.
This mission unites multiple solidarity networks—including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, and regional “Sumud” (steadfastness) flotillas—into one coordinated effort that began forming in mid-2025.
