In December 2024 representatives from 14 campaigns of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition came together in Istanbul for strategic planning and to stand with our national campaign in Turkiye, who have been holding a sit-in at Haydarpasa Port in Istanbul since September. This protest has continued for 100 days, calling for the release of our ships so that much needed aid can begin its journey to Gaza.
As an international coalition, composed of campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand / Aotearoa, Türkiye and campaigns in Arab countries that are part of the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, we call on the Turkish government, in accordance with its declarations of support for the Palestinians, to release our Flotilla ships so we can proceed to break the illegal Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.
In 2024 the Break the Siege mission was halted due to bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of political will on the part of the Turkish government. Since April 5,500 tonnes of much needed essential aid including anaesthesia for surgeries, medication, crutches, food and clean water intended for the besieged Gaza Strip have been grounded in Türkiye.
People across the world have taken to the streets in continued opposition to the genocide using all the means at their disposal to challenge Zionist propaganda and to demand an end to Israel’s impunity in its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
Between May and August this year our small boat Handala made its way through 21 ports in Europe as part of our For the Children of Gaza mission. During its port stops, participants on the boat connected with local grassroots campaigns, raising awareness about Palestine and the need for sanctions against Israel. Handala is currently undergoing maintenance in a Mediterranean port preparing for its next journey.
Palestinians in Gaza have been enduring a heightened genocide perpetrated by Israel since 7 October 2023. Unlike previous genocides, this one has been live streamed in all its brutality and witnessed by the whole world. Over the last 14 months Palestinians have continued their resistance in the face of unprecedented horrors. They have not given up and neither have freedom and justice loving people the world over.
In 2025 we are determined to take to the seas to break the siege of Gaza. We will continue acquiring vessels and securing crew and participants. When governments fail, we will sail. We will keep defending International Law and the right to sail in international waters. We urge you to join us in building communities of resistance and to continue supporting our Freedom Flotilla missions on the water or on land, until Palestine is free.
