SICILY / ISTANBUL
Turkish activists preparing to join the Freedom Flotilla Coalition sailing from Italy to break Israel's blockade on Gaza are making final preparations in Sicily, highlighting that the mission has already sparked significant change.
Turkish activists preparing to join the Freedom Flotilla Coalition sailing from Italy to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and show solidarity with Palestine are making their final preparations on the island of Sicily.
Lawyer Gulden Sonmez, a member of the Turkish delegation set to board vessels departing from Italy and a former passenger on the 2010 Mavi Marmara aid mission to Gaza, told Anadolu the group completed a week-long theoretical and practical training in Sicily.
She said the program helped the international team build solidarity and coordinate more effectively.
"We are here with people from all over the world, of different religions, languages, races, and ages. Some are very young, some are older. We have different professions and backgrounds, but one thing unites us, our feelings for Gaza and our shared goal for this mission," Sonmez said.
Sonmez noted that the teams have been trained for every possible scenario they may face at sea.
"We discussed how we can amplify our voices from these vessels and what kind of support we might receive. We also covered our health and psychological preparedness. I can confidently say it was a tough, rigorous, but highly effective training process. Now, we are in the final stages of preparation,” she said.
She added that the team from Spain has reached Tunisia, and once they set off again, they are expected to head toward Sicily, where the Italian delegation will join them at sea.
‘It has already changed many things’
Addressing the impact of the flotilla, Sonmez said the mission has already brought about change before even departing.
"Around the world, people standing for Gaza view this flotilla as a vital opportunity, perhaps the strongest expression yet of the shared conscience of humanity. It is seen as a real chance to stop the genocide and break the deadly blockade that causes starvation,” she emphasized.
Sonmez noted that many world leaders, from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, have pledged to protect their citizens aboard the flotilla.
"This shows how the people of the world who are not in this fleet but are involved in this mission are influencing their leaders. They are influencing global politics," she said.
Highlighting Israel's reaction, Sonmez said the large number of vessels and widespread public support have caught Israeli authorities off guard. She noted that while single boats were previously intercepted, this time the flotilla is moving forward with 80 vessels.
Sonmez stressed the strong determination of the participants, saying the group remains resolute even in the face of possible Israeli intervention.
She noted that if the flotilla is blocked, many are prepared to return with even more vessels, potentially growing the movement to hundreds or even thousands of boats.
Sonmez said the flotilla has become a powerful symbol of hope for people in Gaza, who have expressed gratitude and renewed optimism.
She emphasized that while international bodies have struggled to lift the blockade, civil initiatives like this flotilla are now taking action within international law.
Referring to the UN Security Council resolution from December 2023, she noted that civilians are fulfilling its call for humanitarian aid despite government inaction. Sonmez urged global audiences to support the mission, describing it as a cause for all humanity.
Final preparations underway under tight security
"For the past week, we’ve been working intensely to prepare the vessels. Every detail is being checked, the engines, sails, hulls, pumps, and fuel. Everything necessary for a safe journey is being handled,” Hakan Yazanel, who came from Germany to join the mission, told Anadolu.
He noted that life vests have been provided for all participants, and any worn-out ropes or equipment have been replaced.
Due to security concerns, the vessels were kept private until now.
"Today, for the first time, social media influencers and supporters who will join us boarded the vessels. We had to keep them hidden until now because of the risk of sabotage. We have people monitoring the area 24/7. No photos or videos were allowed until today."
Yazanel said they are waiting for the flotilla departing from Spain to reach their location, adding: "Once the first team from Barcelona arrives, we will join them at sea. We’ll depart when we are aligned."
He emphasized that the breaking of the Israeli blockade could trigger a broader global response. "Governments and politicians are already starting to support this movement. They can no longer ignore it. The key point is for people to stay engaged and keep this issue alive in their minds,” he added.
Global Sumud Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla, organized with support from more than 44 countries, set sail from Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 31, with the aim of challenging Israel’s blockade and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On the same day, several vessels carrying 300 tons of aid also departed from Genoa, Italy, to join the mission.
The term “Sumud,” meaning “steadfastness” or “steadfast perseverance” in Arabic, emerged after the 1967 Six-Day War as a symbol of Palestinian resilience and nonviolent resistance.
It represents efforts to remain on the land, preserve Palestinian identity and culture, and build alternative institutions in the face of occupation.
The olive tree and the image of a pregnant peasant woman are often used to embody the concept.
