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. |
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ndigenous people take a back seat to the land’s resources for colonizers. More information at: 
