The International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR) has issued a strong statement in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail at the end of August on a mission to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. According to the statement, activists from at least 44 countries are participating, including political leaders and progressive fighters from around the world. Among them is Ghassan Henchiri, member of the Political Bureau of the PPDS in Tunisia and a representative of ICOR.
More than 50 ships are currently en route to Gaza, carrying activists determined to challenge what ICOR describes as an illegal blockade designed to starve Palestinians and systematically cut them off from medical care. Similar to the Freedom Flotilla that set sail earlier this summer, ICOR members from Tunisia are once again joining the mission.
The first two ships, the Sun Flower and the Adara, are approaching the same maritime zone where previous flotillas were intercepted by Israeli forces. Vessels from Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Morocco, and Greece have now converged off the coast of Crete to continue their voyage together. Along the way, the flotilla has already been attacked three times by drones.
ICOR strongly condemned these attacks, stating that the dropping of incendiary bombs on civilian ships constituted an intentional attempt to destroy them and endanger the lives of activists and crews. “It is only thanks to the vigilance of those on board that no one was harmed,” the statement read.
The Freedom Coalition Flotilla, in partnership with the 1000 Madleen Flotilla, has also joined the effort. On September 27, they launched eight ships from Italy, carrying 70 activists of 15 nationalities, along with baby formula, medicine, and food supplies. The coalition is also preparing a special symbolic mission under the name “Media and Medics” to send a vessel with 200 journalists, doctors, nurses, and paramedics to denounce Israel’s killing of medical workers and journalists and its repeated bombing of hospitals in Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is sailing in parallel with widespread global protests against what ICOR calls the genocide of the Palestinian people. Demonstrations have erupted across Germany, Spain, Australia, the UK, Greece, France, and other countries, while nationwide strikes in Italy are placing mounting pressure on governments. In addition, dockworkers in Genoa and other ports worldwide have refused to load arms destined for Israel and have organized boycott actions.
The statement also pointed to growing political momentum: during the UN General Assembly, 11 countries officially recognized the State of Palestine, while Finland called for the abolition of the UN Security Council veto power that the United States has repeatedly used to block resolutions supported by a clear majority of the General Assembly — 157 out of 193 states (81%). Italy and Spain have further demonstrated solidarity by deploying naval frigates to protect the flotilla.
ICOR sharply criticized US and German imperialism, describing Germany as Israel’s most important supporter after the US. The organization expressed its support for lawsuits accusing the German government of aiding and abetting genocide and announced it is itself suing for complicity in war crimes against Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza. ICOR has also signed a solidarity pact with the hospital to help raise funds for its reconstruction.
The group underlined that the recognition of Palestine by more and more countries was already a first achievement of the global protest movement, despite attempts at violent repression. Hundreds of activists have been arrested in the United Kingdom, while police crackdowns in Germany, particularly Berlin, have faced worldwide criticism. Workers protesting the shipment of arms to Israel have been dismissed without warning. “Worldwide solidarity is needed against such reprisals,” the statement declared.
ICOR emphasized that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated internationally, responding by escalating its military assault on Gaza and branding prominent flotilla participants as “terrorists.” The organization called this labeling an attempt to criminalize solidarity with Palestine.
In closing, the statement demanded an immediate withdrawal of all Israeli occupation forces from Palestine and urged the intensification of international protests against genocide and government complicity with Israel.
“Stop the criminalization of solidarity! Hands off the activists! Free Palestine! Long live international solidarity with Palestine!”
The statement was signed by Monika Gärtner-Engel, ICOR Main Coordinator, and Hatem Laouini, Deputy Main Coordinator.
