By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Global Sumud Flotilla announces large civilian mobilisation
By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
On Thursday the Global Sumud Flotilla announced the largest coordinated civilian mobilisation to Gaza since last year’s Israel blockade which is expected to launch at the end of March 2026.
The Flotilla will set course from Barcelona with a maritime departure on 29 March 2026, before it intends to expand across multiple Mediterranean ports in a phased operation that will combine a flotilla at sea as well as an overland convoy.
The intention behind this initiative is to create a civilian-led-humanitarian movement which will aim to facilitate access to Gaza and sustain international solidarity with the people of Palestine.
A press conference was held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, which facilitated the attendance of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s steering committee as they are in South Africa to conduct out-reach before the mobilisation continues.
Representatives from civil-society, religious leaders and media gathered to witness this announcement with Reverend Frank Chikane addressing the conference and thanking these institutions for hosting the delegation and highlighted the big support that Palestinian people are receiving from all over the world.
Also in attendance was Chief Mandla Mandela, who also addressed the conference, as he reminisced on his grandfather’s words stating that there will never be true freedom without the freedom of Palestinian people.
Mandela also warned that South Africa is facing immense amounts of international pressure due to their support for Palestine and has encouraged civil society to help South Africa and its Institutions expressing support for Gaza’s freedom which includes the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) case that South Africa filed against Israel.
“The fact that Genocide is continuing in Palestine while there is an absolute silence in the media and complete complicity of so many governments, it is because these governments are enabling Israel. It is impossible for any person to imagine powerful governments all around the world are not able to force just peace in Palestine, are not able to force an opening for Rafah or entrance of a humanitarian corridor” said Saif abu Keshek, who is a part of the steering committee of Global Flotilla Sumud from Palestine.
“We expect a lot from all the Turkish people, whatever their ideas or differences, we call the Turkish people to mobilise we know that the Turkish people have huge energy and all people of the world has huge energy we talk directly to the people” said Wael Naouar from Tunisia who specifically called the Turkish people to take a stand against Israel.
“It is a cause…for those that want to rise and stand for justice and dignity for all” said Mandla Mandela.
“We may not have reached Gaza physically but we have reached the people of Gaza…they know that we care, that we will not stop at anything until we break the siege” said Susan Abdallah.