Athens and Rome urge the flotilla to use the Latin Patriarchate’s safe aid corridor instead of provoking a blockade clash, as Israel warns it won’t allow a Hamas-linked stunt to endanger lives at sea.
Greece and Italy issued a rare joint appeal telling the Global Sumud Flotilla to accept the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s offer to safely deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza—rather than attempt a dangerous and unlawful run on Israel’s naval security cordon. The foreign ministries stressed they’re monitoring the situation, coordinating consular protection, and called on Israel to ensure participant safety—while clearly steering the flotilla toward a safe, legal channel.
Both governments credited U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s diplomatic push for creating the first real pathway to end the war with full humanitarian access—a path the flotilla now risks derailing. Echoing that line, Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the move, noting Spain has also urged the boats to stand down: “This Hamas-Sumud provocation must stop.” Israel reiterated its offer to route aid peacefully via Cyprus, the Ashkelon Marina, or other ports—a solution that protects civilians and shuts down Hamas propaganda.
The flotilla—47 civilian boats carrying activists from dozens of countries (including ~40 Italians and Greta Thunberg)—left Barcelona last month, paused for repairs in Greek waters, and now threatens to arrive as early as Thursday (Yom Kippur). Organizers claim multiple drone incidents near Tunisia and Crete; Israel denies sabotage and maintains it will not permit breaches of the lawful blockade designed to stop weapons smuggling to Hamas. Israel has activated a joint maritime operations center, and coastal hospitals are on alert—a decisive, defensive posture to prevent loss of life.
Bottom line: Aid can flow—safely, lawfully, and immediately—without empowering Hamas or risking a deadly collision at sea. Greece, Italy, Spain, Israel, and the Vatican’s Latin Patriarchate are all pointing to the same door. The flotilla should walk through it.
