FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: [04.05.2025]
Contact: [email protected]
PRESS STATEMENT
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) wishes to inform the public that we received a very welcome update from the government of Malta, with a stated intent to provide logistical supports and potential repairs to our ship, the ‘Conscience’. We would like to reiterate our intent to be let into Malta, with the guarantee that our peaceful action to sail to Gaza will not be hindered in any way.
When the ‘Conscience’ was initially approached by coast guards, they allegedly did not identify themselves, and took just under one hour before helping extinguish the fire on board. The crew signalled for help, where their radio signal was tampered with, creating further doubt. The Malta Armed Forces had also encouraged them to abandon ship, meaning that legally, the ‘Conscience’ did not have any guarantees that our ship would remain safe, impeding agreements.
The FFC would like to clarify our commitment to engagement with the relevant authorities to expedite the temporary docking of our ship for repairs and surveyors, so we can continue on the urgent humanitarian mission to Gaza.
Spokesperson for the FFC, Thiago Avila, on behalf of the over 20 nationalities of volunteer medics, educators, engineers, farmers, students, activists, social workers and community organizers presently in Malta- states:
“Today’s news is a very positive development. We look forward to dialogue and coordination with the Maltese authorities to be able to re-focus media and public attention where it needs to be; on Israel´s calculated genocide, deliberate famine and wholescale destruction in Gaza’
FFC organizer and spokesperson, Yasemin Acar, states:
- “Our mission is to mobilize global solidarity in the face of genocide in Gaza. For over 60 days, no humanitarian aid has entered by land, this crisis demands urgent international action. In the absence of political will, we remain committed to acting as global citizens. While we’re grateful for all support, every day without an investigation delays aid and denies justice. We have the right to know who attacked us and put humanitarian workers’ lives at risk.”