The “Global Sumud Flotilla” left the port of Bizerte on Sunday, September 14, marking a decisive stage in its attempt to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The operation took place under reinforced diplomatic and security surveillance, with strict supervision by the Tunisian authorities.
The first component boats The international flotillaleft yesterday, the port of Bizerte. Three boats, including a Tunisian The Soumoud flotilla, With on board, around fifty activists took the direction of Gaza.
The international flotilla, Composed of around twenty boats from Barcelona and joined by Tunisian boatsraised anchor, in turn, at the dawn on Monday. On board, activists of different nationalities and media figures such as Greta Thunberg, the Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan or the French actress Adèle Haenel. Before his departure, Greta Thunberg said:
“We try to send a message to Gaza, to tell him that the world has not forgotten it”.
Violent precedents and a persistent threat
The departure has been repeatedly rejected due to the weather but also security incidents. Two boats had been targeted by drones Last week, which sparked an official reaction from Tunis. The Ministry of the Interior denounced a “premeditated aggression” and announced the opening of an investigation.
The threat remains taken very seriously by the organizers:
“Of course, we are reducing new attacks, but we are preparing for the different scenarios,” Rima Hassan told AFP.
The Tunisian authorities, who had hosted the flotilla in Sidi Bou Saïd and then in Bizerte, framed the departure and provided logistical support. They claim to follow the crossing of the crossing closely, while emphasizing the humanitarian and peaceful nature of the initiative.
This position is part of a tradition of Support for the Palestinian causeregularly reaffirmed at the highest level of the Tunisian state.
There “Global Sumud Flatilla”, Which brings together parts of Corsica, Sicily and Greece, intends to create a precedent by reaching the Palestinian territory. After two unsuccessful attempts in June and July, blocked by Israel, the organizers claim that the mobilization is“ stronger than ever ”.
