MORE BOATS ON THE MOVE. TAKE ACTION NOW!

MORE BOATS ON THE MOVE. TAKE ACTION NOW!


Dear US Boats to Gaza / Freedom Flotilla family,


As we shared in our last update, just days after Israel’s illegal assault on 22 civilian vessels on the high seas — during which over 175 participants from more than 50 countries were abducted and abused — the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched additional boats from Sicily. This morning 30 GSF boats left Crete, en route to Marmaris, Turkiye to join with other flotilla boats. Our message is clear: Israel’s violence will not stop us or the growing global movement determined to end the genocide and break the siege of Gaza.
Both Israel and the United States are actively attempting to stop the flotilla movement and criminalize international solidarity with Palestine. Israel continues to arbitrarily detain Global Sumud organizers Thiago Ávila and Saif Abu Keshek under bogus accusations, including the Orwellian charge of “aiding the enemy in a time of war,” as though delivering solidarity and challenging genocide are crimes. And, rather than condemn Israel’s illegal attack on unarmed civilians in international waters, including U.S. citizens, the U.S. State Department issued a shameful statement attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla, once again, placing Israel’s racist, colonial, expansionist agenda above the rights, safety, and lives of its own citizens.
We cannot let up. Despite the so-called “ceasefire,” Israel continues to massacre Palestinians in Gaza, block desperately needed medical evacuations, and impose devastating restrictions on food, medicine, fuel, and humanitarian supplies. This manufactured catastrophe is not happening in isolation. It is being enabled every day by governments that continue to arm, fund, shield, and politically support Israel’s crimes.
While our boats have not been able to reach Gaza since 2008, we know these direct actions matter. They pressure governments, expose complicity, mobilize people around the world, and remind Palestinians in Gaza that they are not alone. Watch this beautiful video of a call between a family in Gaza and our Adalah boat.
If you have ever heard any of us speak about the flotillas, then you know we always emphasize this truth: the flotilla is not only the people at sea. Its strength comes from the collective action of thousands around the world who organize, amplify, pressure governments, confront weapons manufacturers, educate their communities, and refuse silence in the face of genocide. Every action you take helps build the political pressure necessary to challenge the impunity fueling Israel’s crimes.
1. Urge Congress to Sign Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s LetterCongresswoman Rashida Tlaib has initiated a congressional letter condemning Israel’s illegal attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), denouncing the Trump Administration’s shameful attacks on the flotilla, and calling for:An end to Israel’s illegal blockade of GazaThe immediate release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago ÁvilaProtection for the remaining flotilla participants and vessels
Contact your member of Congress today and urge them to sign on. Call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your representatives.
2. Demand Action from the U.S. GovernmentSince Rep. Tlaib’s letter, we have learned more about the violence inflicted on flotilla participants by Israeli soldiers, including beatings, medical neglect, and sexual assault. Call, write, and pressure elected officials to:Demand accountability for Israel’s crimesDemand safe passage for flotilla participants and civilian vessels sailing to GazaAct on the legal obligation to end Israel’s genocide and illegal blockadeUphold the right of innocent passage and the safety of civilians in international waters under the UN Convention on the Law of the SeaAffirm Palestinians’ right to free access corridors by land and sea, free from Israeli controlCall on the U.S. government to join the governments of Spain, Brazil, and others in condemning Israel’s illegal abduction and detention of flotilla participants in international waters
3. Mobilize Civil Society OrganizationsUrge your organizations, unions, faith communities, student groups, and political bodies to issue public statements condemning Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its acts of piracy on the high seas, and to demand the immediate release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila. Their detention is part of Israel’s broader system of violently targeting and criminalizing Palestinians. This includes the widespread use of “administrative detention” — a practice through which Palestinians are imprisoned without charge, trial, or due process, and subjected to systematic physical and psychological abuse, including torture, starvation, sexual violence, and other cruel and degrading treatment. The US must stop enabling these crimes!
4. Organize locallyJoin or start actions at ports, weapons manufacturers, and government officesOrganize or join an action for Nakba Day on May 15. Include awareness of the flotilla in your organizing. Demand safe passage for the flotilla and an end to the criminal siege on Gaza!5. Follow the BoatsTrack the flotilla vessels and stay updated on developments:Freedom Flotilla TrackerLivestream
6. Support the FlotillaYour donations help sustain the boats, crews, communications, legal support, and organizing needed to continue challenging the siege of Gaza.Donate today and help keep the flotilla moving forward.

Despite violence and threats by Israel and the United States, we must keep pressing on. Gaza, Palestine, and our collective humanity demand no less.


In solidarity and struggle for a liberated future,

US Boats to Gaza team
The U.S. Campaign of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition
DONATE
The sail of the U.S. Boats to Gaza – sponsored boat—Adalah—is a tribute to the Palestinian activist, community leader, and father, Awda Hathaleen, who was shot dead by an Israeli settler in his village of Um il-Kheir in July 2025. Awda was a friend of Bob Suberi, who is crewing the Adalah boat.
US Boats to Gaza is the US arm of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, working to end the siege of Gaza through nonviolent direct action and international solidarity.

MORE BOATS ON THE MOVE. TAKE ACTION NOW! Read More »

Freedom Flotilla Sends Three 2025 Missions

Freedom Flotilla Sends Three Missions This Year to Break the Illegal Israeli Blockade of Gaza

Greetings from US Boats to Gaza!

We have had an extraordinarily busy summer and autumn with many boats from multiple organizations, carrying approximately 700 participants  challenging Israel’s genocide of Gaza and its illegal naval blockade.

So busy, that we apologize for not sending updates by newsletter, but we hope you have followed the US Boats to Gaza, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Thousand Madleens across Instagram and other social media platforms.

This year’s maritime civil resistance began in Malta in May 2025 when the Freedom Flotilla Coalition gathered dozens of civilians from over 20 countries to prepare them to sail to break the siege of Gaza. Shortly after midnight, on May 2, just hours before 60 international delegates were scheduled to board the ship Conscience, the Israeli military bombed the vessel in international waters, off the coast of Malta. Miraculously all 18 civilian crew members already on board the Conscience  survived the blasts, with only a few suffering minor injuries. Infuriatingly, there was NO international outcry over Israel bombing a civilian vessel in European/international waters. We had the Conscience towed to Türkiye to be repaired.

We did not allow Israel’s violence to stop us. Although the Conscience was incapacitated, within a month, we were able to acquire another vessel and resume our efforts to challenge the naval blockade. We did so in conjunction with two other civilian initiatives–the Global March to Gaza and the Sumud Convoy from Tunis.  In June 2025, we  launched the Madleen sailboat from Sicily, carrying 12 civilians, including climate justice activist Greta Thunberg, and French member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan. Israeli forces hijacked the Madleen in international waters, 115 nautical miles from Gaza. Participants were abducted and taken against their will to Israel, imprisoned and ultimately deported from Israel with a 100-year ban. Though small, the Madleen—a sailboat with just 12 civilians setting out to challenge one of the world’s most powerful militaries in an effort to halt a genocide—captured global attention and inspired millions who followed its journey. The voyage sparked a rallying cry: a call for “a thousand Madleens” to sail to Gaza.

Thus began the coordinated international effort that would form the Global Sumud Flotilla.In July 2025, while working to help the Global Sumud Flotilla take shape, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition–with funding raised by you, the donors–managed to launch another mission, this one dedicated to the children of Gaza. On July 20, the fishing trawler Handala set sail to Gaza from Gallipoli, in the Puglia region of Italy, carrying food, medicine, baby formula, and stuffed animals for Gaza’s children. Notably, Puglia, which is in the heel of Italy’s boot, was the first region in all of Europe to officially cut all institutional ties with Israel.

Twenty-one  persons were on board Handala including seven U.S. citizens: Huwaida Arraf, Palestinian-American human rights attorney, with a long history with the International Solidarity Movement, the Free Gaza Movement and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition; Bob Suberi, American-Israeli citizen who spends much of his time in West Bank; Frank Romano, American-French attorney with a long history in Palestinian issues; Chris Smalls, union leader who organized the first union within Amazon; Braedon Peluso, a seasoned sailor, engineer and activist with marine conservation and sea rescue organizations; Jacob Berger, a Jewish American actor and comedian; and Waad Al Musa, an Iraqi-American journalist and accomplished cameraman working for Al-Jazeera. On July 27, Israeli forces attacked Handala, approximately 50 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, illegally commandeering the vessel and abducting all civilians on board. Outrageously, the U.S. Consulate provided no services to their citizens who were kidnapped, beaten and jailed by Israel.

In late August, the Global Sumud Flotilla, with 42 ships and over 450 participants sailed in a 31-day voyage from Barcelona, through Tunis, Sicily and Crete and finally off to Gaza where Israeli forces illegally intercepted all the boats, and arrested and imprisoned all participants. Greta Thunberg was again amongst the participants and was singled out for especially harsh and degrading treatment by Israeli authorities, including fascist Israeli Minister of Security Itimar Ben Gvir. Approximately 40 U.S. citizens were on the various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

On October 1, as the Global Sumud Flotilla was nearing Gaza,  the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched the newly-repaired  Conscience from the port of Otranto, Italy. A dedicated media and medics vessel, the Conscience carried dozens of journalists and healthcare workers. Eight U.S. citizens were among the 92 participants on board. Huwaida Arraf (co-leading the mission), Braedon Peluso (chief engineer), Victor Digilio (crew), journalists Tom Hayes, Emily Wilder, and Noa Avishag Schnall, human rights attorney Thomas Becker Jr., and physician  Dr. Dhiaa Daoud. Many physicians and healthcare workers and journalists from other countries were also on board the Conscience.

The Conscience was joined by eight sailboats sailing under the name of “Thousand Madleens” that were organized by French, Danish and Italian campaigns. 

The article and interview below give more detailed descriptions of the treatment of flotilla participants in Israeli prison, which is nowhere near as harsh as the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, but important to acknowledge. 

CALL TO ACTION:

  • JOIN a local action and keep raising your voices. Despite the hype, there’s no ceasefire in Gaza and the level of violence and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank is the highest it’s ever been.
  • MAKE A DONATION to US Boats to Gaza as we are preparing the next mission for the early Spring, 2026.
  • SHARE this newsletter with family, friends and colleagues.
  • FILL OUT this Volunteer Form.

Not everyone can sail on the boats, but we have other very important roles including media/communications (website and social media development, Instagram, X, and Facebook posting, newsletter production), ground crew at departure site, ground crew at post-prison site, experienced crew, community development.  Please note on the form your expertise in any of these areas as well as the other information requested on the form.

U.S. Boats to Gaza Steering Committee

Huwaida Arraf, Ann Wright, Kit Kittridge, Alex McDonald, Ellen Davidson, Sherri Maurin, Lori- Kamleh Ajlouny, Frank Romano

Stay connected with the U.S. Boats to Gaza and Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition via Instagram, Facebook, X, Telegram, TikTok, Bluesky and LinkedIn.

Freedom Flotilla Sends Three 2025 Missions Read More »

Madleen Is Sailing Toward Gaza!

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Madleen departed from Catania, Sicily on June 1, 2025, and is sailing entirely through European and international waters—into Palestinian territorial waters to Gaza. The vessel carries unarmed civilians and humanitarian cargo, including baby formula, medical supplies, and other life-saving aid for the besieged population of Gaza. The ship is unarmed, poses no threat, and is operating in full accordance with international maritime, humanitarian and human rights law. Its passengers and crew include parliamentarians, journalists, attorneys and human rights defenders representing global civil society.

As the occupying power in Gaza, under international law, Israel is bound by the Geneva Conventions, customary international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter. Israel has a legal obligation to respect and protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to ensure the freedom of navigation in international waters. Yet it appears that they bombed the Freedom Flotilla’s ship Conscience off the coast of Malta on May 2, 2025. This was almost exactly fifteen years after Israeli forces assaulted the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters, killing 10 civilian volunteers aboard the Mavi Marmara and injuring dozens more.

No one has or is holding Israel to account for its crimes. But no one is holding the United States to account for its role either.

Americans pay for and supply the planes, bombs, and other materiel that have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and have demolished all aspects of life in Gaza – from destroying every university, to damaging every hospital, infrastructure and more than 100,000 housing units.

The American government is also complicit in the starvation of the Palestinians in Gaza. Our government has allowed – and even facilitated – humanitarian aid to be a negotiable item despite it being a war crime to limit humanitarian aid. The Biden and Trump administrations have vetoed all ceasefire resolutions in the UN Security Council except for one we made sure was non-binding. And we have welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu to the United States despite there being a warrant out for his arrest for war crimes.

It is up to us to stop the bloodshed and starvation. It is up to us to hold our government accountable. It is up to us to make our elected officials look in the mirror. We need to tell our representatives, senators and the administration that we hold them accountable for crimes the US supports and protects. We need to tell our legislators that enough is enough; they are not acting in our name and do not represent our values. And we need to do that vocally in public and throughout our communities.

And in this time when Madleen is sailing towards Gaza to break the illegal and inhumane blockade on Gaza, we need to tell our elected officials that we hold them accountable for the safety of all aboard Madleen.

Madleen Is Sailing Toward Gaza! Read More »

It’s Time for Accountability

As Kamala Harris accepted the 2024 Democratic Party nomination for president, the Biden-Harris presidency continues to state that they are working hard for a ceasefire and support Palestinian self-determination.  Here’s a video that shares what we need to ask of them to best serve the US and to be in integrity.

 

It’s Time for Accountability Read More »

Freedom Flotilla Is Preparing for April Voyage

The Freedom Flotilla Break the Siege mission is preparing to set sail. We are looking for individuals who are interested in joining the flotilla as participants, media, or medical staff. The goal of the mission is to deliver aid to the people in Gaza, but more importantly to break the illegal and inhumane siege placed on the people in Gaza by the state of Israel.

If you can be available in the Mediterranean for two weeks between the last week of May and the end of June – and we can only let you know which two weeks with one week notice, then we invite you to complete the application here.

Only together can we save Gaza.

Free Palestine!

Freedom Flotilla Is Preparing for April Voyage Read More »

Gaza Flotilla is on the move: Plans to Break the Siege of Gaza

After 17 years of a brutal blockade and 4 months of genocidal assault, including weaponizing basic necessities, Palestinians in Gaza are facing an unprecedented and catastrophic humanitarian crisis. On 26 January 2024 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered provisional measures to protect the Palestinians in Gaza from the plausible risk of genocide. Amongst six strongly worded measures, the ICJ ordered Israel to “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”  This decision followed UN Security Council resolutions in November and December 2023 which called for urgent steps to immediately allow “safe, unhindered, and expanded” humanitarian access to Gaza.

Israel’s blatant noncompliance with these orders, and the failure of other governments to pressure the occupying power to comply, motivate us as civil society organisations to take action. 

“It is incumbent upon us to ensure that Palestinians in Gaza receive humanitarian aid”, says Ismail Moola of Palestine Solidarity Alliance, South Africa. “We expect that  the Security Council will enforce the ICJ ruling, but due to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza we need to act immediately”.

Plans for our Save Gaza Campaign are ongoing, and the FFC calls on the government of Egypt to facilitate the delivery of life-sustaining aid through Rafah into Gaza. FFC’s mission, For the Children of Gaza, led by our boat Handala, will again set sail from Northern Europe to Gaza May 2024.

The FFC gathered in Istanbul to plan these campaigns with representatives from the following organisations: Canadian Boat to Gaza (Canada), US Boat to Gaza (USA), Kia Ora Gaza (Aotearoa, New Zealand), Free Gaza Australia (Australia), Ship to Gaza (Norway), MyCARE (Malaysia), Ship to Gaza (Sweden), Palestine Solidarity Alliance (South Africa), IHH (Türkiye), Rumbo a Gaza (Spanish State), Mavi Marmara Association (Türkiye) and the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza.

“Where our governments fail, we sail” says Karen DeVito of Canadian Boat to Gaza. “We are charting a course to the conscience of humanity,  in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

We call on civil society organisations from around the world who share our values and goals to support and join us. 

For more information, including passenger application, contact one of our spokespersons here

Gaza Flotilla is on the move: Plans to Break the Siege of Gaza Read More »

Poet Refaat Alareer, Killed in 2023 by Israeli Targeting

Israel has killed approximately 20,000 Palestinians in 2023. Among them was Refaat Alareer, a poet who edited Gaza Writes Back- Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine.  We remember and honor Refaat Alareer for his leadership and compassion.

Refaat Alareer included in his foreword to the book a tribute to US Boats to Gaza.  He wrote:Gaza Writes Back

In 2011, one part of the outpouring of global solidarity activism was the project that a group of US citizens launched, to fill a whole boat with letters written to the people of Gaza by people from around the world who cared about their fate, and then to sail in to Gaza’s sea-lapped shore.  They named their boat after the title of a book written (before his election) by President Barack Obama: “The Audacity of Hope.”

Long before the boat could reach Gaza, the government of Greece, under great pressure from Israel, moved in and stopped it completing its mission.  But the spirit in which this book has been created and published is a spirit of reciprocity and appreciation of all the efforts made by people outside Gaza (including many very caring and well-known writers), to break through the personal isolation in which Israel has sought to keep us caged.  (page 25, Gaza Writes Back, edited by Refaat Alareer)

Poet Refaat Alareer, Killed in 2023 by Israeli Targeting Read More »