Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship leaves Italian port
Mayor of southern town of Palermo renames section of port in honour of Yasser Arafat, as activists try to break Israel's naval blockade
The mayor of the southern Italian town of Palermo renamed a section of the port in honour of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Mayor Leoluca Orlando made the announcement last week after the arrival of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla at the port, from where it will leave in an attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, the New Matilda reported. New Matilda editor Chris Graham is on one of the flotilla boats.
Sblockade according to the Freedom Flotilla coalition. Prior to its last stop in Palermo, the flotilla visited 15 European ports over two months to garner support.
From 2008 through 2016, international activists have sailed 31 boats to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
In May, Israel’s Navy stopped a boat carrying 17 Palestinians from Gaza that attempted to breach the maritime blockade of the coastal strip. It was the first public attempt to break out of the blockade and not into it.
In 2010, Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish citizens in clashes on the Mavi Marmara, that sailed with five others from Cyprus in an attempt to break the Gaza blockade.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
