Departure of Humanitarian Aid Flotilla Delayed Due to Technical Issues
The humanitarian aid ships slated to depart from Tunisia this Sunday for the Global Sumud Flotilla, dubbed the “flotilla of freedom,” have postponed their departure until Wednesday due to “technical and logistical problems,” as announced by the organizing committee on Saturday, reports 24brussels.
The fleet was originally scheduled to sail from the port of Sidi Bou Said, located 20 kilometers from the Tunisian capital. The departure had already been delayed last Thursday owing to navigation issues concerning vessels that had come from Spain.
Aymen Bhiri, a representative of the initiative, has confirmed the participation of Mandla Mandela, grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, in the flotilla. He will join other key figures on the boats, including Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.
Additionally, Tunisian journalist Yassine Gaidi, a member of the Tunisian Press Union (SNJT), will also take part, stating that he is doing so “not as a personal adventure but as a message for freedom of expression” on behalf of his organization.
This Sunday, 15 boats carrying approximately 200 volunteers will set sail from Sicily, joining five other vessels that departed on August 31 from ports in Genoa and La Spezia in northern Italy.
The international initiative began its mission on August 31 with 20 boats departing from Barcelona, Spain, under the rallying cry of “Free Palestine.” However, the flotilla was forced to turn back due to adverse weather conditions, which led to delays. Despite the withdrawal of five boats earlier this week for “security reasons,” the flotilla continues its journey across the Mediterranean, aiming to meet with activists from Tunisia, Italy, and Greece.
Earlier this week, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, proposed a plan to the government to escalate the response to the flotilla’s arrival, which includes designating the activists onboard as “terrorists.”
