Saturday, April 25th 2026
Turkish activists participating in Global Sumud Flotilla Spring Mission 2026 have reaffirmed their determination to break the blockade on Gaza and send humanitarian aid.
Fatih Varol, board member of Global Sumud Flotilla, told Anadolu that the Turkish delegation is one of the most important components of the initiative.
“Turkey has deep historical ties with Palestine. As a people, we feel the tragedy that is happening in Gaza more deeply. In this regard, both the public support in Turkey and that of Turkish civil society organizations are very strong.
Varol said that the Turkish delegation has contributed not only to the administration and coordination of the flotilla, but also to the preparation of ships in the Mediterranean ports.
He also emphasized that more than 10 Lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling and opposition parties attended the Sumud Global Flotilla Congress of Parliamentarians in Brussels on April 22, forming the diplomatic arm of the mission.
As he said, lawmakers from around the world agreed during the meeting to step up calls in their parliaments to end the “genocide” in Gaza, lift the blockade on Palestine, ensure Israel respects international law and to activate international criminal justice mechanisms.
He said the initiative will help increase international political pressure on Israel and expand through coordinated efforts to pave the way for a freer world.
Activist Gorkem Duru said participants are preparing to head to Gaza as part of the 2026 mission, stressing that a “fake ceasefire” has not ended the occupation, blockade or violence.
“Last year the Sumud Global Flotilla was launched. This year, despite the ceasefire, the blockade and occupation continue, so we are starting again, stronger and more numerous, to break the blockade,” he said.
Duru emphasized that the final preparations are being made in Augusta port in Italy, while the ships that left from Barcelona have already arrived.
Activist Omer Aslan, known as The “local John Wick” for his resemblance to the character played by Keanu Reeves, said he joined the mission out of humanitarian responsibility.
“While babies and innocent civilians in Gaza suffer oppression and violence, I could not live comfortably in my own country. I joined this peaceful humanitarian action to raise awareness both among my followers and globally,” he said.
Aslan said activists from the whole world has joined the flotilla regardless of language, religion or nationality, united by a common cause.
The Sumud Global Flotilla was created to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, to send humanitarian aid and draw international attention to the situation in the enclave.
Established in 2025 by non-governmental organizations, activists and volunteers from different countries, the flotilla launched its second mission to Gaza.
The Spring 2026 mission launched from Barcelona on April 12 with around 70 ships and nearly 1,000 participants from 70 countries, being significantly larger than the previous mission in September 2025, which included 42 ships and 462 participants.
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Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
