An overwhelming wave of solidarity for the rights to life and freedom of the Palestinian people erupted – just hours after Israel once again captured aid and solidarity ships on their way to Gaza.
On September 20, 2025, 50 ships with around 500 activists from 40 countries set off from several Mediterranean ports to bring food, medicine and practical solidarity to Gaza. They are part of the Freedom Flotilla coalition and are supported by millions of people around the world.
On the evening of October 1, 2025 at 19:00, the first boats were stopped by the Israeli military in international waters, stormed, the activists forced to leave the ships and arrested in Israel. In the meantime, 40 ships have been captured.
These attacks are an expression of the defensive stance of the fascist Zionist Netanyahu government, which is maneuvering between threats and offers of negotiation under the pressure of the daily growing protests. An attempt to silence, confuse and intimidate supporters of Palestine Solidarity. In vain. The Sumud activists will not be left alone; the people of Gaza and the West Bank will not be left alone.
At the same time, Trump and Netanyahu announced a 20-point “peace plan” in New York. They are demagogically relying on the urgent desire for peace and hoping that the masses will tire of it. But: this plan does not bring democratic peace, it would be an imperialist dictatorial peace and a plan of subjugation against the Palestinian people. Any right to national self-determination is taken away from the Palestinians, who are to submit to an imperialist transitional government, a so-called “board of peace” under the leadership of Trump. In an extortionate manner, the legitimization of all means of warfare is announced if the proposal is not agreed to. What else is to come? Poison gas? Tactical nuclear weapons?
The demands are still valid:
- The release of all imprisoned activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla!
- A stop to the blockade of the Gaza Strip in violation of international law!
- The cessation of all German arms deliveries to Israel!
- An immediate stop to the genocide!
- Complete withdrawal of all troops from Gaza and all settlers from the West Bank!
- Self-determination, democracy and freedom for Palestine!
We call on all ICOR organizations to mobilize in their countries, to send reports of protest actions in their countries to the ICC and to call on their governments to protect their nationals if they are part of the flotilla.
New and wider protests are developing without pause:
in Italy, a general strike will take place on Friday, October 3. Already on October 2, outraged people occupied train stations and transportation hubs in Rome and Naples
In Greece, Tunisia, Turkey, Germany, England and many other countries, there are demonstrations and declarations of protest; many young people will join the hunger strike announced by the arrested Sumud activists.
In Genoa on October 1, there was a large gathering of port workers from many European ports at the invitation of the USB and CALP trade unions. They say “Blocchiamo tutto” (We block everything), in Genoa alone they want to block 14,000 containers bound for Israel
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris is demanding that Israel comply with international law; Colombian President Petro has expelled all Israeli diplomats from his country; the Mexican Foreign Ministry is demanding that Israel “immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on the import and distribution of aid” and the High Commissioner for Human Rights is also demanding that Israel “urgently lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip…”
Let us intensify our protests against the genocide of the Palestinian people and against the complicity of our own governments with Israel! Let’s win pioneers for strikes and protests, especially among the working class and the workforces of the big logistics, transportation and industrial companies. Let us connect Palestine solidarity with our anti-imperialist and anti-fascist movements.
Strengthen the ICOR! Strengthen the international anti-imperialist front against war, fascism and environmental destruction!
Freedom for Palestine!
Long live international solidarity with Palestine!
Monika Gärtner-Engel, ICOR Main Coordinator
Hatem Laouini, Deputy ICOR Main Coordinator
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 