Activism

Gaza Aid Flotillas Defy Israeli Blockade to Bring Medicine and Food to Palestinians

Freedom Socialist newspaper, Vol. 46, No. 5, October-November 2025
socialism.com
By Lauren Shiel

International activists, trumpeting calls for Gaza solidarity, are journeying with
humanitarian aid for Palestinians in flotillas of small boats. Armed Israeli soldiers
have been waylaying them, but this has not stopped these courageous maritime
missions.
The need for aid is because Israel has illegally blockaded Gaza’s air and water
space since 2007. The largest-ever flotilla, the Global Sumud, headed out this
August carrying a ton of supplies. It consists of fifty ships with protesters from 44
nations, including Swedish climate justice campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Earlier this July, U.S. labor organizer Chris Smalls of the Amazon Workers Union
joined the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on the 37th attempt to break the blockade.
Smalls, the only Black Palestinian supporter aboard the Handala, suffered racist
violence by Israeli soldiers who raided the ship. He was calling for Amazon to
stop contracting with Israeli weapon manufacturers and for U.S. unions to halt
arms shipments to Israel.
Denying Gazans humanitarian aid, impeding ships in international waters and
arresting at gunpoint those onboard are illegal acts by the Netanyahu
regime. But brave protesters persist in defying a country carrying out genocide.
Their global intervention in defense of Palestinians is heard around the world.

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

County to Protect Medi-Cal and CalFresh Access for 1.7 Million Residents Amid New Federal Work Requirements

The motion also calls for the expansion of workfare and volunteer opportunities across county departments…

6 hours ago

Governors Briefs: CalRx® Insulin, $11 a Pen, Will Soon be Available and Appointment Announced

This launch marks a significant step in the state's ongoing effort to lower prescription drug…

7 hours ago

Purdue Student Paper Shows Solidarity With Rival

  After the Indiana University Media School fired its director of student media and banned…

7 hours ago

POLA Lead Attorney Steve Otera Named Corporate Counsel of the Year by LA Business Journal

  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Business Journal has given a top legal honor…

7 hours ago

Ports Briefs: POLB Cargo Slows as Clean Truck Study and Air Quality Report Highlight Progress

The Final 2024 Class 8 Drayage Truck Feasibility Assessment Report focuses on battery electric and…

10 hours ago

Public Health Investigating Possible Local Spread of Clade I Mpox; Third Case Confirmed in Los Angeles County

So far in 2025, Public Health has reported 118 cases of clade II mpox.

1 day ago