Gaza Flotilla Delayed Again Over Logistical Issues

A planned anti-Israel flotilla that had intended to set sail from Tunisia in an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza has once again been delayed.

The Mahgreb Sumud Flotilla, originally slated to leave Tunis on Sunday, will now begin its journey on Wednesday, September 10, according to organizers.

Those behind the effort explained that “technical and logistical reasons beyond management’s control” forced them to push back the launch.

This flotilla is connected to the larger Global Sumud movement and is supposed to join ships that already set sail from Spain and Italy. The Tunisian launch has now faced two delays—the first attributed to poor weather conditions.

Organizers say their mission is to bring assistance into Gaza and to challenge Israel’s naval restrictions, which are maintained to block arms smuggling and defend Israeli citizens from Hamas attacks.

The larger Global Sumud flotilla departed from Barcelona last week, after an earlier attempt was canceled because of severe weather.

Passengers include Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who during her time in office cut municipal ties with Israel. Support has also come from well-known actors such as Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, famous for his role on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”

Thunberg was deported from Israel in June following her involvement in a separate flotilla, the Madleen, which was stopped by the Israeli navy.

At that time, the activists on board were provided with food and water, even though some had prerecorded statements accusing Israel of having “kidnapped” them.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry noted afterward that the so-called humanitarian cargo on the Madleen amounted to less than one truckload, and it was rerouted to Gaza using proper aid channels.

{Matzav.com}